Jason Spivey

Recent Activity

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  Jason commented on the article | almost 3 years ago

  More on Fighting Bias in History Textbooks

  Clay one aspect that you might want to include is, once in awhile having parents also chime in. I know that you are familiar with what I deem "Parent Homework" in which I give a primary source to my students and they are to discuss open ended questions with their parents. On more than one occasion this has sparked conversation at home that I crave in the classroom (shouting, surprise, new respect, etc.). Would adding a section to your wiki that would get perspective from those who "lived it" make the text book better?
  
  I would argue yes. In theory this could give your wiki more of community backbone. It would get "experts" more involve and they also might find issues in the textbook that is disagreeable. It will also remind those that are past "schooly" education and in the real world that learning about our earth is a life long joy if taken advantage of. Would love to hear your response and criticism. Also I might be teaching the same subject as you so please keep me in mind for some collaboration time.

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  Jason commented on the article | about 3 years ago

  Snark Attack: Does UCLA Research Dissing Technology Bomb?

  Clay,
  
  I think you hit the hammer on the head when discussing how teachers use technology in the classroom. To play the devils advocate a little bit here lets take the following and put them in place:
  
  1. What do most schools use technology for?
  In more than one occasion I had teacher at my high school decided that they wanted a day off from lecturing and therefore put in a video. Sometimes the video dealt with the concepts other times it did not. So in looking at how teachers use media it could be because of ignorance, lack of vision or no motivation for learning that would create negative results in this study.
  
  2. What does going to a 1 to 1 school mean?
  
  This is a quote that I heard form an admin not to long ago about defining what a 1 to 1 school is:
  
  -"What that basically means is every kid has a laptop and uses it in class."
  
  Can I get a WTF?
  
  To expand on that, I have been in conversations with other education professionals, and on more than one occasion heard that at a 1 to 1 school taking a place where students take notes and create PowerPoints. So in the current school climate (based on ignorance of the tool at that they potentially have) the study could have a great point.
  
  I guess what I am trying to say is that YOU have a vision. YOU know how to use the tools that makes good WEB 2.0 teachers effective. But you are currently  not the norm (sadly) and without the spread of knowledge on how to make take advantage of these tools then the study could be write.
  
  I am an avid supporter of you and your work. And want you to have express the furry that you have in making this type of learning work. But the next question is how do we get people to listen?
  
  Take this for what it is worth! One love!
  
  Jason