Through the Looking Glass — It’s Now Plugged In!

Book, Webcam, Action! at The Book Nook

The combination of children, books and a computers all rolled into one drew me to this image. My name is Gordon Higginson. I am an elementary school principal in Vernon, B.C. I have been a principal for ten years and in that time my responsibilities have included the selection and purchasing of books and print resources as well as electronic technology. I have had discussions and debates with librarians who have insisted on buying another set of World Book Encyclopedias, even though the consensus on my staff was to purchase digital media and software that, arguably, had more engaging content. I have seen many software products come and go that claim to have a high level of educational relevance for reading, though the students using the software are absorbed much more by the game concept of the program and seem to be minimally engaged by the actual teaching component. I have encountered students who won’t pick up a book. I work with students who won’t use the computer to assist them to read.

As I proceed through this course I hope to gain more perspective and insight into the balance between old forms of text delivery and new. I hope to develop a more defined framework for assessing what reading and writing technologies are appropriate for which students, based on their skills and challenges. And, admittedly, I am hoping to become more efficient at all aspects of this learning environment, as this is my first MET course.

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1 Response to Through the Looking Glass — It’s Now Plugged In!

  1. lesliedawes says:

    Interesting image and thoughtful response. I am also new to this MET program and I have been getting use to navigating around the website. I teach Grade 1 in West Vancouver and it is a focus for not only myself, but many colleagues as to what the framework is for reading and writing technologies and how it is meeting the needs of the learner. Last April the District Principal of Technology and myself discussed the possibility of having Primary children do an online Home Reading once a week , in place of the take a book home. After readin a book the children had to made a personal journal entry response. It was a big success and we had a lot of positive comments from parents.

    Leslie

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