I am passionate about getting high school students to college. Average students seem to be lost in a transition vortex. Smart and capable middle-class students are seemingly left to make this journey alone. These students are in cyberspace; I think they need a map...
As future educators, how do you think you can use technology to help guide your students to college? How can a teacher help students "Bridge the College Gap"?
Tips how to use a blog as a teacher:
1. You can use a blog as an ongoing webquest for students. This helps with continued engagement in a subject.
2. You can use a blog as an individual class tracker. Students can see assignments or projects. They can then ask questions or offer thoughts. This will help focus their efforts.
3. Individual student blogs can replace "journals" for students. The tech connection may help students engage.
4. A blog can be used to present the important lesson points during lectures. This gives students a place to study for tests, and a place to look for meaning if they missed class.
I think social networking will be a huge factor in getting kids attention and then guiding them towards college possibilites.
ReplyDeleteI really think that students need to have some type of guidance on how to apply for college and what types of programs there are and where. When I was a young person, granted, computers were not like they are now - I didn't have a clue. Students need to know what is available out there. How will you ever let them know without technology?
ReplyDeleteI think that using technology in the classroom can help can help guide students to college and "Bridge the College Gap" because it gives students an opportunity to connect what they are learning the classroom with real-world experience. I also think that technology -- when used appropriately -- can help to better engage all students in a classroom and help foster a love for life-long learning.
ReplyDeleteBevan, I thinks that's a great goal. As implausible as it seems nowadays, I'm sure there are many high school students who are intimidated by certain aspects of technology and how prevalent it is in education, especially at the college level. I think exposure is key. As teachers, the more we use and talk about technology in the classroom, the more comfortable students will become with it, and realize its value in furthering their education.
ReplyDeleteI think teachers can help bridge the college gap using technology with overt tactics such as forums or groups for students that need help navigating the system. In these groups a teacher could show students how to read entry requirements and go step-by-step with them explaining what needs to be done to apply or qualify. However, I think teachers can use tacit or subtle tactics too. Such as talking to all kids about 'when you get to college you'll see..' or 'in college you'll go much deeper into this..' type of stuff to create a psychology that they're not only capable of going to college, but that it's a matter of fact that they're going.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Ishmael is one of my favorite books too.