Journal 6

In "Making Sausage", Learning and Leading, May 2007, Hilary Goldmann discusses the frustrations, challenges, and possible solutions to the re-authorization of NCLB and how it affects technology. She is very passionate as well as her colleagues when thinking that students need to be able to learn in a digital learning environment, and unfortunately, NCLB has hindered that. She suggested that it seemed like a great idea at first, but now it's a complete mess. She teamed up with other ISTE administration and thought of the program called Innovation and Achievement for Competitiveness with Technology and had great success with sponsorship. This is just one of the many new hopes for the re-authorization for the No Child Left Behind Act.

Question 1: How can we prove to legislation that technology can help improve student learning in Reading/Writing and Math?

Uh, the million dollar question. It's important to look at accountability when dealing with this subject. If we can show legislation productive, instructional, and helpful websites such as Kathy Shrocks, we can prove that technology helps, not hinders students ability. Also, using voice animated programs that read back words can improve students vocabulary and language. That way, they are not just getting information with only one sense. We could find research which have done long-term studies to show how some students have improved. Also, the online dictniaries and thesaurus help students increase their vocabuluary at a faster rate than hand held dictonaries. I know that I look up a huge number of words on online dictonaries and I didn't before with hand-held ones.

Question 2:
How can educators do anything to help aide in the re-authorization of the NCLB?

It may seem like a no win situation for educators when it comes to dealing with legislators. However, in this article, they worked together as a team. The came together in a group and had a draft in hand of thier proposal and got sponsored by Congresswomen and men. It's important to go out and seek the help and support so that you have credibility and not just taking on this challenge by ones' self.