Comments on: Not all International Schools are the Same http://xpatasia.edublogs.org/2008/06/15/not-all-international-schools-are-the-same/ Reflections on working as an Digital Learning Consultant in the Asian Region. Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:59:09 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: Jeff Utecht http://xpatasia.edublogs.org/2008/06/15/not-all-international-schools-are-the-same/comment-page-1/#comment-83 Jeff Utecht Wed, 25 Jun 2008 06:29:53 +0000 http://xpatasia.edublogs.org/?p=121#comment-83 Good points made by all! How do you get administration to change? I think you have to start with small steps. So much change can happen with what school's already have. A computer and an Internet connection can open up a world of possibilities. I'm not saying that things like document cameras aren't great tools to have, but in order to "sell" administration on new hardware we have to show them what we can do with what we have already. Find a teacher that is keen and start setting things up. As I explained during the podcast at times it ment me spending my own money on things like hosting serves and domain names. I knew what would happen if we got these free online tools in the hands of teachers...and students. Before we can say "We can be doing so much more!" We need to start with what can we do with what we already have...or can do for little to no cost if we put structures in place. Part of shifting a school is puting shifted structures into place to allow the shift to begin. There's another EQ for us next year. How do you structure the ICT program in a shifted school? Glad you enjoy the conversations, I'm hoping that next year from Thailand the bandwidth will be more reliable. :) Good points made by all!

How do you get administration to change? I think you have to start with small steps. So much change can happen with what school’s already have. A computer and an Internet connection can open up a world of possibilities. I’m not saying that things like document cameras aren’t great tools to have, but in order to “sell” administration on new hardware we have to show them what we can do with what we have already. Find a teacher that is keen and start setting things up. As I explained during the podcast at times it ment me spending my own money on things like hosting serves and domain names. I knew what would happen if we got these free online tools in the hands of teachers…and students. Before we can say “We can be doing so much more!” We need to start with what can we do with what we already have…or can do for little to no cost if we put structures in place. Part of shifting a school is puting shifted structures into place to allow the shift to begin. There’s another EQ for us next year. How do you structure the ICT program in a shifted school?

Glad you enjoy the conversations, I’m hoping that next year from Thailand the bandwidth will be more reliable. :)

]]> By: Gilbert Halcrow http://xpatasia.edublogs.org/2008/06/15/not-all-international-schools-are-the-same/comment-page-1/#comment-81 Gilbert Halcrow Mon, 23 Jun 2008 01:32:55 +0000 http://xpatasia.edublogs.org/?p=121#comment-81 Other 'Trojan Horse' to get administers to send the dollars your way; is the 'Differentiation' Learning Technologies provide, and the support they provide to EAL/ESL students. Other ‘Trojan Horse’ to get administers to send the dollars your way; is the ‘Differentiation’ Learning Technologies provide, and the support they provide to EAL/ESL students.

]]> By: David Carpenter http://xpatasia.edublogs.org/2008/06/15/not-all-international-schools-are-the-same/comment-page-1/#comment-80 David Carpenter Sun, 15 Jun 2008 02:51:09 +0000 http://xpatasia.edublogs.org/?p=121#comment-80 Nicely said, Paul. Sometimes folks don't have the flexibility to look for new countries and schools. They have to work with what they have. As I noted in the chat room during the show, I think we will need to dedicate a full SOS show next Fall to the topic of helping administrators make the shift. Besides the advice offered by Rick and Jeff, I would add that if the shifted educator wants to help move along the conversation with the administrators, he/she should focus on improving instructional strategies, assessments and learning outcomes to improve student learning. While this seems pretty obvious, we as ICT educators sometimes get bogged down in the tools that we know will get our students to the learning outcomes. It becomes difficult for anyone to argue with solid changes that can be made to our school's curriculum that will lead to enhanced student learning. The key is to build the logical argument and to then slowly introduce the tools that support the effort. I know you are working to do this so thankfully as you point out, you have your online network of supporters. :) While I am at a shifted school now, my previous school "looking under the hood" was not a place where the administrators supported the shift to much of a degree. I guess that is one reason why I needed to follow Andy's advice and make the move. It can wear you down being out one your own pushing for the shift. Nicely said, Paul. Sometimes folks don’t have the flexibility to look for new countries and schools. They have to work with what they have. As I noted in the chat room during the show, I think we will need to dedicate a full SOS show next Fall to the topic of helping administrators make the shift.

Besides the advice offered by Rick and Jeff, I would add that if the shifted educator wants to help move along the conversation with the administrators, he/she should focus on improving instructional strategies, assessments and learning outcomes to improve student learning. While this seems pretty obvious, we as ICT educators sometimes get bogged down in the tools that we know will get our students to the learning outcomes.

It becomes difficult for anyone to argue with solid changes that can be made to our school’s curriculum that will lead to enhanced student learning. The key is to build the logical argument and to then slowly introduce the tools that support the effort. I know you are working to do this so thankfully as you point out, you have your online network of supporters. :)

While I am at a shifted school now, my previous school “looking under the hood” was not a place where the administrators supported the shift to much of a degree. I guess that is one reason why I needed to follow Andy’s advice and make the move. It can wear you down being out one your own pushing for the shift.

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