CHRIS
TOY
Diary #20
The
"Coming of the Laptop"
in Maine's Middle Schools
This past
week I was reminded of the old Chinese curse, "May you live in interesting
times," or, as another translation has it, "May you live in a time of
great change." These are certainly interesting times of great change around
here.
At a recent meeting of Maine's Middle Level Commission we had a far-ranging discussion about the issues swirling around the middle level movement and reform in Maine. A couple folks who had worked on a document called "Promising Futures" which looked at secondary education in Maine talked with us. What was most interesting to me was the fact that the most fundamental and far-reaching recommendations of the secondary report were almost direct quotes from middle level practice and philosophy.
In the final report Maine high schools were advised to set up advisor programs so every student could have a meaningful connection with at least one adult. Interdisciplinary curriculum design and flexible scheduling were also recommended. It was suggested that high school teachers organize themselves in teams with common students and schedules. Most interesting was the list of current practices that Promising Futures indicated should be discontinued. Grouping by ability, or tracking should be abolished. The reliance on seat time, or Carnegie units in determining course credit was also frowned upon.
As a middle school educator, I have often had reservations when asked to prepare students for high school. I realize now that my reservations were because many high schools are not designed for the success of all the students we send to them. If high schools become the kinds of schools reflected in Promising Futures, I think middle schools will gladly accept that charge.
The Prospects and Perils of Laptops
Another interesting change looming is the "Coming of the Laptop" in Maine. This new program has the potential to transform teaching and learning in Maine. Used well, the laptops will provide middle schools with the tools to individualize learning to a degree that was impossible before. We'll also be able to access information and create new resources quickly and share it almost immediately.
There is also the danger of focusing on the wrong things as well as implementing the program badly. We need to keep the focus on teaching and learning. In order to do this. we absolutely need to make sure that there are adequate resources for professional development, planning time, and technical assistance. If we try to implement this the way some of us have implemented teaming, integrated curriculum, and computers in our buildings, the promise of this program will not be realized for all kids in Maine.
Our regional principals group realized this need almost a year ago when the laptop initiative was being debated in the legislature. We decided to have this year's Southern Maine Middle Level Conference focus on learning technology on the chance that the laptop initiative would happen. It did, and we were ready.
Last Wednesday over 200 area middle school teachers attended a conference to see how laptops could be used in their classrooms. The annual conference is a group effort, bringing together some of the major staff development groups in this part of the state. Partners include The Cumberland County Middle School Principals (known as the Triple C group), The Southern Maine Partnership (a part of the University of Southern Maine), The Maine Association of Middle Level Educators, and The New England League of Middle Schools. I just realized that I'm involved in each of these groups as a member, so being involved in this conference is like.....four for one.
In addition to great presentations by classroom teachers and technology educators, there was a keynote delivered by Seymour Papert, Emeritus from MIT, developer of Lego/Logo, and an international expert on learning and technology. Then there was a panel representing the management team for the laptop project, Apple Computer, and a representative from Congressman Tom Allen's office. A great dinner, dessert and door prizes donated by the partnering organizers, including a Palm Pilot, kept everyone buzzing with interest and excitement. A quick look at evaluations indicated that folks were pleased and excited about the future.
Spending a "Fab Friday" with Students
I wrapped up the week doing one of my favorite things. I spent the day with some students.
Our school has an activity called Fab Friday. Fab Friday happens three times a year in October, January, and in May, The purpose of Fab Friday is to involve everyone in lifelong recreational and enriching activities. In addition to the stated purpose, it is an opportunity for students and teachers to see and experience one another as more than student and teacher -- to realize that we are all much more than the roles we assume each day at work or at school.
Some of the activities that happen on Fab Fridays are kayaking, bowling, woodcarving, snow tubing, skating, biking, hiking, rock climbing, cooking, visiting museums, scrapbook making, peer mediation training, drama, sports, yearbook planning, model building, and many more. It is always a chore to plan, and the days sledding up to the event are a bit stressful for the office as transportation, permission slips, community volunteers,and room assignments are organized and sorted out.
But at the end of each Fab Friday, when I ask students, teachers and parents how it went, there are wonderful stories about the day and how great it was to see students throw their hands up in triumph when they bowl their first strike, or smile broadly when they catch their first fish, or even tell me that peer mediation training was a worthwhile sacrifice of a Fab Friday because the student now knew how to help others.
My Fab Friday activity was Chinese cooking and culture. Because the kitchen at school was being used by the bread and breadboard making group, I took my group to my house for the day.
I had a great group ranging from one of the most gifted 6th graders to some students who are almost completely self contained in a resource room. We began by playing Two Truths and a Lie. It was great to see the kids getting to know one another, laughing and guessing which was the lie. As I could predict from experience, the social divisions of age, gender, economic class, academic ability, and peer groups faded as the kids learned how to handle and care for the sharp cleaver, make and fold wontons, prepare egg rolls, and use chopsticks. No one used a fork.
After cooking and eating they had a choice of watching a movie, China Cry, which showed the effects of the Cultural Revolution in China, or they could learn some calligraphy with me. Most chose calligraphy. I had as much fun as they did creating the pictographs and ideographs that make up some of the simpler characters.
At the end of the day, just before we heading back to school, one of the students kiddingly asked if she could be my daughter for a while. I joked back that I'd need a note from her parents. On Saturday morning I found three little folded notes thanking me for a great Fab Friday tucked into a corner of the bathroom counter. Teachers have all the fun.
Friday night ended with a fund raising spaghetti dinner sponsored by the 6th grade Space Camp group and a talent show sponsored by the Home Economics Club. Where else can the whole family get a dinner and a show for under $25.00?
EDITOR'S NOTE: Find out more about Fab Friday here.
