February 2008 — News
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Karl Fisch: Creating Lifelong Learners
Perhaps more important, both grants funded what Fisch referred to as "release time," pockets during which teachers get hands-on learning experiences with the latest technology tools. Already developing its staff on in-service days, the school was able to create an ongoing, sustained system of training teachers every two to three weeks. "They are released from their classes for three hours, during which time we pay for substitutes," said Fisch. "During that training we focus on the latest research associated with how children learn, how to translate that research into what happens in the classroom, and how we can use tech tools to help them learn."
Looking ahead Fisch said his focus will likely be similar to that of many other school technology directors who are discovering what it means to educate students in a world where all of the factual information they could possibly need is just a click away. Whereas in the past the teacher held most of the knowledge, and was complemented by the university library (for those lucky enough to reside near one), the information age has completely changed that dynamic.
"It doesn't mean the teacher isn't important because he or she possesses context and knowledge and ways to help kids think about the information," said Fisch. "But in a rapidly changing world the delivery of facts approach to education doesn't work. Instead, we must focus on how to integrate technology in a way that makes kids lifelong learners who don't let learning end at 2:15 p.m. every day ... or at the end of the school year or after that graduation ceremony."
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About the author: Bridget McCrea is a business and technology writer in Clearwater, FL. She can be reached at bridgetmc@earthlink.net.
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