A few years ago, I was working on a wonderful project that involved creating student-generated radio shows. These podcasts were reader's theater version of books that we shared in class- students wrote the adaptations, acted out the parts, created the Foley, mixed and posted their shows. District bigwigs wanted to see how the project worked, so a crew from the DO came to observe. Most were impressed and gave their blessings. But a few could not see the innovations, they could only see the problems. Ed Norman had arrived.
Because I had created a LAN with computers from home mixed with computers from the school, and because I had networked them together, instead of being praised for my integration and use of computers to enhance and promote active learning, I was upbraided for daring to bypass the network restriction of the district, and required to remove the home computers. I was never given any way to replace the hardware that was needed to run the program. Also, because the Podcasts where data heavy, they were never posted on any district server. Finally, I was warned that I might be running into intellectual property laws, and I was asked not to do this anymore. Of course, anyone that has taken any fair-use training would know immediately that my student's projects were exempt.
So, Ed Norman stuck his ugly little head in the way of innovative, standards-based use of current and cutting-edge technology in 3 ways. First, there was the networking concerns about home computers mixing and infecting the system. Second, there was a bias against posting student work on line, using the "size" issue as a reason to nix having student work on the net. Finally, there was ignorance about fair use.
How do I deal with this issue now? I am currently having my students work on a project in which they create music to express their understanding of core science learnings, and I am using my own computers again from home. They are accessing the network to download loops, and I will be uploading their songs onto a website that I am maintaining for the project. There are district people coming to video tape the project, and, of course, I am nervous. So I am resorting to subterfuge. I am taking out old district computes that no longer work, and putting them in front of my home computers to mask them during the taping. I am posting the music, without any identifying labels of course, on the internet myself. Since their work is completely original, I am free of any fair-use problems.
To successfully implement cutting-edge use of technology, and to get around the Ed Norman Syndrome, I am falling back to the old adage, "It is better to ask for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission." Are others of you forced to act like a sneaky teenager just to do what is best for kids?
Online Discussion
15 years ago
Well, since I haven't been anywhere near as creative as what you have been I might have had to sneak around, too. However, I have been known to give the same advice. "It's better to ask forgiveness, than ask permission." I don't even understand how you linked the home computers to school computers. Were they computers at your home or the students? It seems if its not one thing its another. As someone has said in their post before, you are criticized if you don't use technology and then there are so many limits on what we can't do that many think, why bother.
ReplyDeleteWOW! You are doing something amazing and instead of being praise and set as an example for other teachers, they dare to reprimand you! “Ed” does show up everywhere. Maybe they were embarrass that you were able to work around the network, and decided to slap your hand so you will not do it again.
ReplyDeleteChris, that is a shame that you have to sneak around to create a technologically interactive environment. What cracks me up is that they had to come to your classroom to find a problem. If they were that concerned about things showing up on the network, they should have known before physically seeing the computers in your room. You're welcome to come to my district and plug in your equipment anytime. As long as we can have a quick sit down to understand each other. ;-) I think Ed is missing that successful students are our most important products of education. Bill K
ReplyDeleteI was really moved by your blog. Here you are, an innovative and motivated teacher willing to go the extra mile and use cutting edge technology to enhance your teaching program in an exponential way and Ed Norman rears his ugly head only to sabotage everything that you worked hard for. I think that your example is exactly what Dr. Newberry was referring to in his podcast. It is a shame that your district was so unwilling to see your vision. The only excuse I can come up with is that they just do not understand. Hang in there, Chris. I'm glad to see that you have not given up and that you are finding other ways around this problem. Soon enough SOMEBODY up there has to see the great work you are really doing.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Chris! I am enjoying this thought of you trying to keep all this a secret. lol
ReplyDeleteI would be interested in learning more about the projects that your students are working on. You say they will be available on the Internet. Can you share some work with us when they are ready? I am definitely interested.