Journal 4: It’s In the Bag

Basham, J., Perry, E., & Meyer, H. (2011). It's in the bag. Learning and leading with technology, 39(2), 24-25. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-september-october-2011.aspx

Wow, what a concept! I really enjoyed the idea of engaging students in digital backpack based projects because it gives them another outlet for their learning to be assessed. Some students are best suited for multiple choice testing, and others write good essays. I think that in this changing world, it is an excellent idea for children of the youngest ages to be given assignments that make them think outside of the 8 ½” X 11” box and express their learning in ways that prove true understanding. These are great ways to have students collaborate with each other and be assigned roles in a co-leadership group. When students are given criteria for a project or assigned a task that has endless possibilities, they are already set up for success because they can make what they want of it. They aren’t limited to the construction of a paragraph, but they can articulate their ideas and passions for their subject within their presentation. Using this media in the classroom is not the future, it is the now, so as educators we need to embrace its omnipotence and use it as a tool to encourage our students’ growth.

Question #1:Where might a school get the funding for these technologies?
There are a number of ways that teachers and classrooms can get technologies to use in their classrooms without attacking the pockets of taxpayers. There are many grant programs that offer monies to build programs or supply technology to students and schools. There are a multitude of websites and chat services designed to assist teachers and administrators with this process.

Question #2: What are the standards for primary grade students pertaining to these technologies? Are there devices that are inappropriate for young users?
Although some devices would need adult supervision, the technology is easily acquired by young children and utilized more appropriately than I would imagine. There are children’s programs that allow preschoolers to create live video with simple editing techniques and create original products far from resembling the traditional cookie cutter Halloween pumpkin hanging on the kindergarten wall. This allows for in depth focus and reflection on individual work that incorporates a much broader array of the curriculum.