I have a dream (I mean) I have a vision of a school in which all community members are free to use technology for the sake of student learning and are well supported while doing so. Here’s my vision...
We would have a number of students who are comfortable with chromebooks, ugcloud, UG2GO (including databases, e-books), and other educational apps (like bitstrips, prezi, screencasting...) and they would be able to help the rest of the school population with whatever. I envision a few peer to peer training sessions in which I lay out the common trouble-shooting issues or FAQs for using chromebooks or ugcloud, and in which they peer to peer train/learn various common applications so they can help others. Maybe each one becomes an expert with a specific software or web-based educational application, or maybe they are all expert trouble shooters and on the spot learners/helpers. I would also work with them on some tutoring/social skills so they can work with a variety of school community members (staff and students, one on one or whole class).
Once comfortable with technology and the idea of being used as resources, I see a few ways this “Geek Squad” could be used.
1) They could run “lunch and learns” in the library Seminar Room or in the Bear’s Den every other week. These could each focus on a different application or web resource. These could be open to staff and students.
2) They could have ‘shifts’ in the library before/after school and at lunch to help students or staff with technology problems in course work.
3) They could be ‘pre-booked’ by a teacher/class to help introduce or get students started on a new project with new applications or software.
My rationale:
I am committed to allowing students to use GAFE and other Web2.0 tools to demonstrate their learning. I would like to see other teachers develop the confidence or find the support required so they can allow their students to best demonstrate their learning in whatever ways suits the students’ purposes.
In order to do this I would like to grow a culture in the school of co-learning, where students and teachers can learn together. This supports and models the idea that we are all lifelong learners, and we can all respect one another’s strengths and weaknesses and we can support each other in our challenges and grow.
Having students use their expertise to help teachers encourages that community of co-learners. It also gives the students a voice in how they would like to learn or demonstrate their learning.
- There is a fair bit of resistance in many teachers to trying new technology in class because they don’t feel confident enough with the tools/resources. In such cases, the students in geek squad would become a resource for the teacher and the class. It takes quite a bit of pressure off the teacher, and may allow that teacher to learn the new tool or device along side his/her students, again modelling the importance of being a life-long learner.
I’d love some feedback on this.
What would you like to see if something like this were offered at your school?
Is "Geek Squad" offensive? Is tech team or tech club better?
Would you use student experts as a resource? Would other teachers you know?
I am going to try to get this idea funded, so any and all feedback you would be willing to give is greatly appreciated.
