Blog #3

http://www.techlearning.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=193200370

Integrating Visual Literacy

By: Susan McLester

REVIEW

Convent of the Sacred Heart High School in San Francisco keeps their students “on top” in a technological fashion. All of the incoming freshman receive up-to-date palm pilots. Beaming zones allow the students to send and receive information to each other. Teachers can organize students via homework and testing schedules right from the start. No excuses for these students! McClester calls it a 21^st century organizational tool (since all of the students can download just about anything).

All aspects of the school involve technology in one way or another (unlike the imaginary scene depicted by the author in my previous blog). Film and photo have “jazzed” up the once boring school newspaper. The girls enjoy the chance to be creative. Spanish classes have also used camera technology. English becomes more fun for the students when they can download pictures they may have talked about in a once boring novel.

The new technology sure makes school more interesting for these girls!

COMMENTARY/OPINION
I liked this article much more than the one I read previously (blog #2). This kind of technology could only be possible in a private school for two reasons. The first reason has to do with the parents. They control the finances that go into the system. The second reason is more dependent on the lack of federal involvement.

NCLB is one example of a guideline that has stunted progress in our public school system. On one hand, it’s great that all of the students are getting help that they need. This act is meant to ensure survival of all young people for the future. On the contrary, the students that are on the fast track are losing their drive and excitement from the slower pace. Is that really fair?

In a private school, the administrators and the staff decide what is going to happen and when. I have worked in both types of environments. Honestly, I really appreciated the freedom I had when I worked for the private sector…I didn’t appreciate the salary.