If someone broke into the school computer laboratory on a Friday night to find out how well heshe could write computer code, I think most of us would smell a rat. Yet, as author Alan November found out in 1981, such events can really happen. Classic underachiever Yves was discovered by Mr November - then a social studies teacher - on a Friday night busily hammering the keys on a Commodore Pet, with a portable tape recorder (remember the days!). Despite the immediate impulse to discipline the student, he decided to let him explain, and despite being initially flummoxed by what he was doing and demonstrating, decided to help him gain access to a computer for the weekend.
The story ends happily despite opposition from the maths teacher who ran the computer lab (in my school - and in many others - the keys to the computer lab were the property of the maths teacher in the early Eighties), Yves completed the coursework and got a previously unexpected C grade, and later went on to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree.
The incident also set Mr November on his new journey of empowerment. Yves had showed him how computers worked and he set out to discover how he could use students’ interests and abilities in technology to develop critical thinking or problem-solving strategies, as well as building an engaging and interactive learning environment in the classroom and beyond.
This immensely readable book is a pr cis of 20 years of work and discovery. It is not a dry book and the underlying message throughout is about reshaping the relationship between teacher and pupil as well as encouraging a shift of control from the school system to the learner (a shift that first started Yves on his way to success).
The human face of technology is presented here to explore “the unique opportunities that technology provides to empower students to learn how to learn”. The emphasis is on “informating” (leading to transformational improvements), rather than “automating” (leading to incremental improvements). A new way of thinking is needed so that, when considering technology, new questions are asked such as: What information do you need to improve your work? What technology do you want? In other words, “thinking about opportunities that could not be achieved without the technology”.
In its five chapters, Empowering Students with Technology guides teachers on the use of computers, email, the Internet, digital cameras and other technologies etc to make them vital and productive learning tools. Real life stories, back-up materials and “E-ventures” - educational adventures using technology to develop critical thinking - all help this book become a vital read.
The author underlines his goal: “As schools look to help their students, they need to forget the technology and focus on the education. The technology will come. It is the teachers, the ideas, and the vision behind the project that will determine its success or failure.”
Alan November is not a techie, but an ideas person as all good teachers and enablers should be.
Empowering Students with Technology by Alan November, published by Skylight Price: pound;15 (special offer, usually pound;20) Renaissance Learning, CO 36 Carrington Avenue, Borehamwood, Herts WD6 2HA Email: geoff.strack@lineone.net For a taste of Alan November’s style, go to: www.anovember.com
