BACK TO SCHOOL: STUDYSYNC EDUCATORS CALL TECH THE KEY TO CREATING A DYNAMIC LEARNING EXPERIENCE
/EINPresswire.com/ SONOMA, Calif. (August 30, 2011) - Another school year lies just ahead, with students thrilled to be back, their fingers flying over their mobile devices, reaching out to friends to share a summer's worth of stories, pics and all.
And then there's that learning thing.
For some educators, the focus for the 2011-2012 school year is to engage kids, create vibrant classroom discussions, and open minds.
One difference is StudySync, the web-based supplementary curriculum from BookheadEd Learning, LLC. StudySync uses mobile technology, social learning, compelling visuals and broadcast-quality video lessons, all based on a rich library of classic and modern texts, with the goal of encouraging reading, critical thinking, academic discourse and peer-to-peer collaboration.
According to several StudySync educators, a sea change is now under way, beginning with how technology in schools is being perceived and received.
"Fearing the integration of social media and technology is analogous to fearing allowing students to type rather than hand-write a paper," said Ryan S. Gilbert, English Instructor, Ohio Hi-Point Career Center, Bellafontaine, Ohio. "This all part of an inevitable progression, and foolish to resist rather than to embrace."
"We have to be very serious about our work, but that doesn't mean that we have to be somber about it," said Rick Fabbro, Assistant Superintendent, Surrey School District, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. "Teachers who view technology as a distraction are too focused on the technology. They should focus instead on the problem/issue and see how technology will help with the resolution."
"The truth is, whatever we like to do, we do more often," said Dr. Lawrence Baines, Chair, Instructional Leadership & Academic Curriculum at the University of Oklahoma, Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education. "Whatever we dislike to do, we avoid. A teacher who makes learning fun will have students showing up for school and asking for more. Making learning fun is no abstract platitude, but the essential task of the teacher."
While technologies like electronic white boards have caught on in some school districts, mobile devices and social media have been a tougher sell. "Students are connected—that is the reality," Fabbro said. "It is our job as educators to engage them in their reality, to promote the deepest thought around important issues."
According to Baines, "activities that are both enjoyable and intellectually-stimulating—the voluntarily, enthusiastic reading and discussion of literature, gaining knowledge of new vocabulary words—constitute real learning. A school day that is devoted to apathetic adherence to externally-mandated objectives is the distraction."
Reaching the Reluctant Student
Forward-looking educators are beginning to use technology to empower kids who are shy, uninvolved or have turned off to the classroom experience. "By offering kids a lower-pressure environment to exchange their ideas, technology can provide a voice to disenfranchised students," Gilbert said.
"One of the strengths of technologies like cell phones is that they enable the student who rarely participates in class to engage at a safe distance," Baines noted. "Chat, text, and message boards reduce the intensity of human interactions and give the communicator more control."
Acknowledging that getting kids to work together on projects can be a challenge,
teachers are increasingly enlisting technology to foster collaboration.
"One of the challenges teachers encounter is trying to ensure that collaboration is equal among group members," Baines observed. "The secret is in getting the individual members to perform at their utmost."
"Technology can show students that their success depends upon one another," Gilbert said. "Students perform at higher levels when they are concerned with the opinions and engagement of their peer groups in addition to that of their instructor."
The concept that students can learn as much from one another as from the classroom teacher is crucial to StudySync.
"StudySync tackles one of the biggest challenges facing educators today -- how to get students hooked on reading and writing," said Robert Romano, co-founder and CEO, BookheadEd Learning. "Our allies in taking on that challenge are the full complement of digital devices. Today's devices aren't just cool - they can be teeming with lessons."
About BookheadEd Learning, LLC
Based in Sonoma, Calif, BookheadEd is comprised of educators and experts who believe "Together We're Smarter." To learn more about its StudySync educational platform, visit www.studysync.com.
Ken Greenberg
ken@edgecommunicationsinc.com
And then there's that learning thing.
For some educators, the focus for the 2011-2012 school year is to engage kids, create vibrant classroom discussions, and open minds.
One difference is StudySync, the web-based supplementary curriculum from BookheadEd Learning, LLC. StudySync uses mobile technology, social learning, compelling visuals and broadcast-quality video lessons, all based on a rich library of classic and modern texts, with the goal of encouraging reading, critical thinking, academic discourse and peer-to-peer collaboration.
According to several StudySync educators, a sea change is now under way, beginning with how technology in schools is being perceived and received.
"Fearing the integration of social media and technology is analogous to fearing allowing students to type rather than hand-write a paper," said Ryan S. Gilbert, English Instructor, Ohio Hi-Point Career Center, Bellafontaine, Ohio. "This all part of an inevitable progression, and foolish to resist rather than to embrace."
"We have to be very serious about our work, but that doesn't mean that we have to be somber about it," said Rick Fabbro, Assistant Superintendent, Surrey School District, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. "Teachers who view technology as a distraction are too focused on the technology. They should focus instead on the problem/issue and see how technology will help with the resolution."
"The truth is, whatever we like to do, we do more often," said Dr. Lawrence Baines, Chair, Instructional Leadership & Academic Curriculum at the University of Oklahoma, Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education. "Whatever we dislike to do, we avoid. A teacher who makes learning fun will have students showing up for school and asking for more. Making learning fun is no abstract platitude, but the essential task of the teacher."
While technologies like electronic white boards have caught on in some school districts, mobile devices and social media have been a tougher sell. "Students are connected—that is the reality," Fabbro said. "It is our job as educators to engage them in their reality, to promote the deepest thought around important issues."
According to Baines, "activities that are both enjoyable and intellectually-stimulating—the voluntarily, enthusiastic reading and discussion of literature, gaining knowledge of new vocabulary words—constitute real learning. A school day that is devoted to apathetic adherence to externally-mandated objectives is the distraction."
Reaching the Reluctant Student
Forward-looking educators are beginning to use technology to empower kids who are shy, uninvolved or have turned off to the classroom experience. "By offering kids a lower-pressure environment to exchange their ideas, technology can provide a voice to disenfranchised students," Gilbert said.
"One of the strengths of technologies like cell phones is that they enable the student who rarely participates in class to engage at a safe distance," Baines noted. "Chat, text, and message boards reduce the intensity of human interactions and give the communicator more control."
Acknowledging that getting kids to work together on projects can be a challenge,
teachers are increasingly enlisting technology to foster collaboration.
"One of the challenges teachers encounter is trying to ensure that collaboration is equal among group members," Baines observed. "The secret is in getting the individual members to perform at their utmost."
"Technology can show students that their success depends upon one another," Gilbert said. "Students perform at higher levels when they are concerned with the opinions and engagement of their peer groups in addition to that of their instructor."
The concept that students can learn as much from one another as from the classroom teacher is crucial to StudySync.
"StudySync tackles one of the biggest challenges facing educators today -- how to get students hooked on reading and writing," said Robert Romano, co-founder and CEO, BookheadEd Learning. "Our allies in taking on that challenge are the full complement of digital devices. Today's devices aren't just cool - they can be teeming with lessons."
About BookheadEd Learning, LLC
Based in Sonoma, Calif, BookheadEd is comprised of educators and experts who believe "Together We're Smarter." To learn more about its StudySync educational platform, visit www.studysync.com.
Ken Greenberg
ken@edgecommunicationsinc.com
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