June 1996 — Features
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Achieving Technological Equity and Equal Access to the Learning Tools of the 21st Century
5. As a tool for knowledge production (HyperCard, Hyperstudio and Lego/Logo projects, for portfolios, midi music and new tools for art).
We are convinced that effective and equitable use of technology leverages school reform. Once students and staff decide to make meaningful uses of technology, learning is never the same again. Technology helps move the act of learning from hearing (and forgetting), from seeing (and remembering), to doing (and understanding). It helps bring about the active learning we educators all encourage, but find difficult to do.
Technology helps with different learning styles and provides new ways to learn. Equity requires that we address the learners' needs and learning styles. Thomas Armstrong lists a number of technology-based software systems that address multiple intelligences.[4] Among the intelligences and examples of concomitant software are :
Linguistic: word processing, desktop publishing
Logical - Mathematical: computer programming, Science Tool Kits
Spatial: animation, paint and clipart, Tetris
Kinesthetic: Lego-Logo, Flight Simulator
Musical: MIDI systems, Vocalizer
Interpersonal: Kidsnet, Discourse System
Intrapersonal: career software, decision-making systems
Technology can help address new learning standards that are more authentic, project-based and outcome-driven. Here in Minnesota we are moving to new "Graduation Standards" to replace "seat time standards" and Carnegie units. We are looking to portfolios and performance, in addition to report cards and GPAs. It is our belief that any activity as rich and complex as human performance must be addressed in a broader context than report cards. Numerical and letter grades are inadequate in describing what young learners know and can do. Perpetuating this process cheats the learner and the community.
Other Technologies
Many teachers and students have discovered the power of video and the visual medium in the learning process. Students with a camcorder in hand and some rudimentary instruction can "show and tell" wonderful projects about what they've learned. Video, perhaps even more than the computer, is the new medium of expression with today's generation.
We have seen many students construct marvelous video scenarios, creative stories and cooperative projects, showing remarkable production sophistication. The digital format makes it easier to marry the messages of these media together in very powerful presentational ways.
