Most recent public comments by Amanda Cornwell https://nowcomment.com/users/79138 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200876?scroll_to=1881333 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200876?scroll_to=1881333 Mia ~ I'm so glad you shared this comment! I'm reminded of a time when our school was switching to Google Apps for Education and not renewing our Microsoft licenses. We had a few parents who were unhappy with this decision as they felt some of the access Google had to their child's information could have future ramifications. At the time, I didn't appreciate their concern, and I think as Troy works to help us develop a critical view of technology, issues like this (that make us go hmmm) are exactly the point! Thu, 14 May 2020 17:40:37 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200876?scroll_to=1881311 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200876?scroll_to=1881311 I TOO am so very glad for the most up-to-date patient care being available instantly! :) Thu, 14 May 2020 17:35:51 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200876?scroll_to=1881309 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200876?scroll_to=1881309 Mia ~ I feel like I need a reminder again about the work you do to fully appreciate the depth of your comment, but I also wholeheartedly agree. I often found that when teaching in K-12 public education setting, we would bemoan the fact that parents (especially at the middle school level) are distant. And yet, when parents come in, we use jargon which tends to distance us further instead of closing the gap. Related to Bethany's notion above about valuing human interaction, it seems that if we aren't careful about our language, we could squander human connection in virtual or F2F settings. I appreciate that you challenged leadership and also recognize that through those repeated challenges, change is possible. Sat, 16 May 2020 11:50:28 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200876?scroll_to=1881303 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200876?scroll_to=1881303 Bethany ~ I agree that the isolation of ed tech seemed dawn on me through this as well. It also makes me think about the ways in which we can leverage certain aspects of ed tech to as closely as possible, replicate the human experience. One simple example was the way Troy has utilized the voice feature in WhatsApp. Sometimes, seeing all that text is overwhelming and increases my sense of being alone as I wade through it all. In contrast, when I see one (short!) entry and hear his voice, I already feel more connected and less overwhelmed! Thu, 14 May 2020 17:28:18 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200876?scroll_to=1875309 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200876?scroll_to=1875309 Selwyn argues that the use of technology in education is not neutral or natural. Rather it's a site of struggle and a site of intense conflict. Furthermore that it connects to larger societal struggles related to power and control. I acknowledge that I have been removed from K-12 public education settings for a few years, but I would guess that considering the implications of educational technology at this magnitude may not be a widely-held belief. I think the reason for this is partly related to the increased demands of teachers. The language used around educational technology is fascinating, and as he unpacks some of the questions he asks of ed tech discourse, the inherent political nature becomes clearer. Tue, 12 May 2020 09:00:34 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200876?scroll_to=1875292 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200876?scroll_to=1875292 This paragraph seems to draw out an assumption held by Selwyn which is that technology may not be the answer to particular questions. I think it's important to remember that the purpose and goals of a lesson, project, or even district-wide initiative are to be considered first before selecting a specific tool. Wed, 13 May 2020 17:13:09 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200876?scroll_to=1875290 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200876?scroll_to=1875290 When I think back on my experience as a classroom teacher, I do recall many PD days devoted to learning new systems that seemed to serve clerical or managerial purposes only. As Ertmer mentioned in the Edweek article, district leaders have a tremendous impact on how technology is implemented and integrated into their district. If districts unintentionally model this managerial-type use, it stands to reason that teachers may also apply this type of thinking to tech tools they consider. This also relates to another point in this article I will highlight as well. Tue, 12 May 2020 08:47:10 -0400