My GAME plan last week involved using the Language department’s computer laboratory which is my greatest resource in carrying out my plan. It is dependent on software and hardware working effectively, besides having internet access. I have taught English as a Foreign Language at this university campus for over three years and this is the first year it has been allocated internet access. There is an ongoing bandwidth battle between the departments and schools (medicine, culinary, and the high school) on the campus. Having a computer lab is great, but it does not stand alone without internet or new hardware to maintain it.
The first groups of students are from Medicine to test out my GAME plan, however I would like to vary the real-world situations to play out in sequence with the grammar and material covered in their language book of the other groups. This would require additional information related to the content of the book before developing any goals with students to accomplish using the computer lab.
Recently, the language lab is has been given a boost of support from the administration, in great part, due to a student entrance exam that has become digital and requires the lab computers to take it. This push came to an abrupt realization of the failings of the computer lab and the need to be reconfigured to use with their exam software. Still, like a wave of fresh air, the computer lab slowly but surely is being reconditioned to support the required exam, giving teachers another valuable resource to engage students once more.
Mr. A-M to Mr. A -
ReplyDeleteI can't even believe this is the first year that you are getting an Internet connection. WOW! I have heard of teachers having very slow connections because of too many user, but not being on the Internet seems like a crime to me. It is like going from a world closed to a world wide open now. Congratulations on getting Interent access!
So the administration finally supported the need for Internet use because of testing...it figures. They didn't see a need for prior to that!? I wish you all the best and I hope the reconditioning of your computer lab goes well and they don't just try to out band-aids on severed arteries.
Take care,
Fred Aspan-Martin
Mr. A to Mr. A-M
DeleteYes, you would be amazed and the motivation this university has at put the interest of the students first. I won't get into it, but with changes like this, it gives me some hope to push forward with.
Thank you for your thoughts.
John A.
Joanne to John
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned a big frustration point for teachers trying to use technology. Not only do you need the hardware and software but consistent access to the internet. Your description highlights the results when planning for technology fails to account for the necessary infrastructure.
While attending NCTM's High School Institute last summer one of the sponsors was an organization providing solutions for the problem you describe, Wireless Business Solutions. The representative explained the importance of providing a device in each classroom that expands the bandwidth (I believe) so the increase to internet traffic can be handled. Although their goal primarily is to help schools whose students are underserved with mobile learning access as well as some other qualifying characteristics at least you know the technology needed is available.
I hope this information will be helpful.
Joanne C
Education Solutions | Wireless Business Solutions. (n.d.). Welcome | Wireless Business Solutions. Retrieved March 18, 2012, from http://www.wbspowered.com/education/overview.html
John to Joanne
DeleteThank you for the suggestion, yet living and working in another country has its disadvantages. If this were a public school, then maybe the local government could offer some help or a private business. Unfortunately, this private university has chosen to place more emphasis on areas that would create more of profit for them while leaving some departments to struggle. The situation is slow to progress as long as the bottom line is their main interest.
Thank you for you thoughts.
John A.