How would you define “Limited Technology”?

Recently I read an article on Mind/Shift titled Think Big: How to Jumpstart Tech Use In Low-Income Schools. The title did get my attention and so I decide to read the article, I am always interested in adding to my bank of ideas aimed at helping low income schools. The article was about  Daisy Dyer Duerr, Prek-12 Principal of St. Paul Public Schools in St. Paul, Arkansas. While it did make an interesting read and I would readily recommend it, my focus of interest was at the point where the technologies available at her school were listed. 

When Duerr started at St. Paul Schools three years ago, ………… The technology available to teachers was limited to a·         few smart boards,·          two computer labs with shared PC desktops
·         and a laptop cart with 10 Mac Books still in their boxes. 

What is amazing about this is that, this is meant to be a public school with “limited technology”. Where I come from or live and work a school that boast of such access to technology would not be referred to as one having Limited technology but a school to be desired, cause most the schools  having such access or more to technology are mainly private owned schools with high paying fees.

Most public schools in my region , if at all can only boast of a computer Laboratory with a few desktop computer, to which students have little or no access to, except for computer science classes when they need to be taught about computers. Most of our public classrooms are built without the plan for technology use. In most of my interventions with this schools, a power generating set and extension wires where used to bring electricity to the classroom because no functional sockets where available. 

So the questions is “how would you define Limited Technology” I guess the definition would vary depending on what part of the world you live in, from country to country and region to region even in the same country. Based on my experience, I would define Limited technology as a few computers seated on some computer tables, lock away in a computer laboratory. 

Recently, I have been asked by a school to help integrate technology into their learning system. What technology do I have to start with?

•         2 desktop computers
•         13 mini laptops ( 8 not functional, have one technical problem or the other)

Is this limited technology? Yes and No. Yes if you are counting hardware, but no, if you are considering ways in which this few computers can be used in the classroom. I have come to know that having technology in schools doesn’t translate to using technology in the teaching and learning process. I believe limited technology is not how many computers or laptops or devices a school has but in the limited ways this devices are used in the teaching and learning process. I know of schools that can boost of over 100 devices but yet the students have little access to them. That to me is limited technology.

 It is not in ‘how many we have’ but in ‘how well we use what we have’. “It’s not about what you have, it’s about being awesome,” Duerr says. 

Building Bridges

“For too long, information, opportunities, and resources have been constraints; they need to be the bridges.” 

                                                                               ― Sharad Vivek Sagar

“The wisdom of bridges comes from the fact that they know the both sides, they know the both shores!” 

― Mehmet Murat ildan

I haven’t always being an educator, started out with a university degree in Industrial Design and then went on to do a Master’s degree in Visual Arts but I have been one to love school and the classroom and didn’t mind teaching (conducted a lot of tutorial classes while at school). My detour into the field of education happened on a particular afternoon, I was flipping channels on TV and happened to tune into a station showing a video on “Chemical Bonding” ( still remember that clip till date). It was amazing to me how a concept that seemed so abstract to me, then, was brought to life by the use of multimedia, and I imagined the difference it would have made to my grades if only I had access to such educational media, in addition to our textbooks. So I decided I need to do something to help students learn better using the skills I had acquired in my previous fields of experience. Thus, my return back to the classroom, to study this time around, Educational Technology, even to the Doctoral level.

Every child, regardless of parental income or background can and should benefit from the gains of technology-enhanced learning. Teachers and educational institutions need to provide life transforming opportunities to their students, preparing learners for the challenges of the 21^st century, providing in every possible way equal chances to succeed both in school and beyond.

What are we doing to bridge the gap between education and the global work force? Knowing it is all about what skills are required for any given vocation. I do encourage all of you to submit your comments, links and share how you are changing your classroom and how access to technology in your classroom (no matter how limited) is making a difference in how students experience and engage in school.

MIEExperts: Connecting People

Yesterday, the 7^th of December, 2014 marked the beginning of another year in my life. I indeed had a wonderful time surrounded by family and friends. There was food, fun and fellowship as we celebrated another mile stone in my life, four decades of God’s faithfulness to me.

This wasn't the first time I would be having family and friends celebrating my birthday with me, (although there have been quite a number of very quiet birthdays) but as a family tradition we like to make a big deal about birthdays, as we use it as an opportunity once again to reaffirm our love for the celebrant and remind each other of how special he or she is to us. But there was something different about this birthday.

The major ‘high’ for me on this day was getting birthday wishes from across the continent. I couldn't help but brag to my family and friends at home about my international connection and Global friends Thanks to the Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert 2015, I got wishes from different continents, awesome.

Being part of the MIEExpert 2015 family has been one of the best things that has happened to me this year. I would like to say a big thank you to all the MIEExperts who gave me a shout out on my birthday and especially my Indian Friend, Hari Krishna Arya Who made a customized greeting and initiated the whole thing. All these makes me glad to be a part of an awesome and wonderful global family of MIEExpert 2015.

Love you all and hope to have the privilege to meeting you one on one. My Thanks also goes to Microsoft for creating the platform to build bridges and connect with people through ICT.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

"Let us spare no effort to ensure that policies, programmes, guidelines and 21st century technologies are accessible to persons with disabilities, and sensitive to their perspectives and experiences". Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon."

                     

International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3) is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992. It has been celebrated with varying degrees of success around the planet. The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. It was originally called "International Day of Disabled Persons". Each year the day focuses on a different issue.

Theme for 2014: Sustainable Development: The Promise of Technology

Throughout human history, technology has shaped the way people live. Today information and communications technologies in particular have impacted a lot of people’s daily lives. However, not all people have access to technology and the higher standards of living it allows. With an estimated one billion people worldwide living with a disability, and 80% of them living in developing countries, access to technology is key to help realise the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities.(UN)

At UN Headquarters, this year’s commemorative events will be organized by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA). Representatives from Member States, UN system, civil society, the private sector and others will discuss how advances in technology can be utilized to improve the lives of persons with disabilities, with three different sub-themes:

·         Disability-Inclusive Sustainable Development Goals

·         Disability and Disaster Risk Reduction / Emergency Responses

·         Creating Enabling Work Environments

More information of the various events is available on  UN Enable

Even as we celebrate today, Microsoft is not left out in the bid to assist  persons with disabilities.

Every student brings his or her own unique experiences, talents, and challenges into the classroom, including those students with special education needs. December 2nd marks Special Education Day in the U.S. - because each child's learning style is different, teachers must strive to support their students' unique learning styles while balancing the demands of larger classrooms, standardized testing and changing curricula. With this in mind, we're sharing stories of teachers and educators who are using technology in inventive ways to instruct students with a variety of learning styles and disabilities.

To learn more about how teachers are using Microsoft Tools to instruct students with disabilities: click on link below 

Personalize Learning for Students with Special Education Needs Using Windows and Office including OneNote and Lync

Microso

ft Education Team 

5 Empowering Technological Breakthroughs for people 

with with disabilities

Eyegaze offers a selection of machines, including desktops and tablets, to empower both adults and children. The technology can be used to provide education, write books, draw and even generate speech by typing a message or selecting phrases. Other eye-tracking developments include software that allows a person to do day-to-day tasks, such as opening curtains.    SMART belt, iBot stair-climbing wheelchair, Google's driverless car, DEKA robotic arm

Microsoft and I

Microsoft and I.

Microsoft is a household name to many. Known for their products, tools or technology. First embraced by the business world and then the grand entry into the educational sector. As an educational enthusiast I have come to know Microsoft as a Friend. I am particularly tripped by the Educator Network, being a member of such a community has been a worthwhile experience.

So how did this friendship begin? Of course I had known about Microsoft for quite a number of years now, having started using the computer and been introduced to Microsoft office, to me Microsoft was just a brand name and office tools just made my work neater (a cover up for my not too good handwriting, and of course lesser spelling mistakes) but then I met the faces behind Microsoft and discovered an awesome community.

It all started on the 25^th -27^th of May 2010, I had the privilege of attending for the first time the Elearning Africa conference held that year in Tanzanian at the Miami Conference center where I met a very warm and friendly Microsoft representative (don't remember his name anymore but still have the pictures).

He took his time to introduce me to the PIL network and gave me an "I am a partner in learning" sticker which I still have stuck on my laptop till date. He also introduced me to Mouse Mischief , which I found quite interesting and a solution to technology integration for most of the schools in my community.

Prior to my attending the conference I had been considering topics for my doctoral thesis, that one meeting brought an end to my search for a research focus and a commencement of my field work.( I examined the effect of PowerPoint and Mouse Mischief on students learning outcome as compared to the traditional classrooms with no technology at all). Of course my institution found the technology quite novel, interesting and readily adaptable since it was a low budget intervention and yielded better learning outcomes. I have successful completed my doctoral program (although still waiting for the official conferment of a PhD in Educational Technology from University, and the title Dr.)

I would like to say a big thank you to Microsoft for saying "YES" to my dream. And for adding another feather to my hat, by selecting me as an MIEEXPERT 2015. Microsoft and I, a friendship meant to be.

Gratitude Can Fuel School Transformation

Gratitude Can Fuel School Transformation

Ed-Techy: Microsoft Empowering Educators

Ed-Techy: Microsoft Empowering Educators:                  When it comes to technology in education, your school needs more than a device or a service. Your school deserve...