It's just incredibly pathetic

Somebody has to do something, and it's just incredibly pathetic that it has to be us. - Jerry Garcia

Garcia's famous quote came immediately to mind when I agreed to become our state school library/technology association's legislative chair last summer. This committee had been very ably led for as long as I had been in MEMO by two remarkable people - Frank Birmingham and Judy Bull. These folks seemingly knew each key legislator, every state law, and the entire history of education in Minnesota. It was humbling and a bit frightening to be asked to fill such shoes. You can't hope to measure up - only to not screw up too terribly.

Thankfully MEMO shares a professional lobbyist with the Minnesota Library Association. We develop a joint legislative platform and participate in joint lobbying efforts including a "Library Legislative Day" each spring in St. Paul. So far this fall, we've gotten the 2007 platform developed and we are now working on talking points. I've been using my pbwiki site trying to get broader membership input into these publications.  I can't say the wiki's been terribly successful - I haven't gotten many editors.

A variety of organizations also host local legislative events. I've been to three in the past two weeks. At each meeting, I've had the chance to explain our platform and to listen to predictions about the upcoming legislative session in Minnesota, which basically boils down to "no more money for YOU even though we have a $2 billion surplus over the next biennium."  Our planks to allow districts to levy for libraries and technology, to require that every child have the services of a professional librarian, and to mandate information and technology skills be assessed and reported to the state have met with, well, less than enthusiastic responses from legislators of both political stripes.

Despite the time and frustration often involved in working on legislative issues, I really don't see how anyone who really cares about educational technology, libraries, schools and kids can NOT participate in the process. It's a genuine professional obligation, if you ask me. Here's the deal - you don't participate, you don't have a right to whine about the political decisions made for you. Simple as that. 

I keep an old poster over my desk that nicely summarizes my philosophy regarding the legislative process: "The race is not always to the swift but to those who keep on running." It's just incredibly pathetic that it's up to us to be the ones running.

Ken Ferguson, The Race is Not Always to the Swift

Examples of e-books?

Another e-mail...

Hello Doug,
We loved your presentation to librarians in Jefferson County Colorado last Fall; so inspiring!
On that note, I have a request.
Our 4th graders are creating their own e books on the People and Land of Africa.
Do you know of any good examples of ebooks out there I can show them?
Our ebooks are starting to look like boring Powerpoints....
If these ebooks look better than now, I will send you a copy or two to share with other librarians.
Thank you so much!

MeLISsa
If you would hit the mark you must aim a little above it. Henry Wadsworth  Longfellow

Hi MeLISsa,
Thanks so much for the kind words about the Jeff Co. workshops. I know I had fun so I hope others did as well.

This will probably date me, but I still think the gold standard in electronic books was (is?) the product Living Books. As I remember, these versions of popular children's books had some of the following characteristics that really took advantage of their electronic formats including:

•     the stories were read aloud.
•     the words that were selected would be read aloud.
•     the books were in multiple languages.
•     the illustrations were animated.
•     the books were FUN.

I would suggest one additional benefit to student-produced electronic books – they can be easily shared with the public for comment. Check out one of our middle school’s Mini-Mysteries.

Rather than the kids using PowerPoint for their books, they might use simple web authoring software and post them online (with proper privacy issues addressed). Not only could they be shared, buy they could embed a podcast of them reading the story, links to other materials, and even animated illustrations.

I am going to post your letter and my reply to the Blue Skunk. Readers have better examples and ideas than I’ve been able to supply.

I would love to see what you come up with as a final product!

Thanks for writing and all the best,

Doug

Requirement for handwritten assignments - a response

A few days ago I posted an e-mail from a college student who appreciated being able to handwrite his assignments. The letter evoked a number of comments, one of which read:

I was considering removing all paper from my high school technology class - all my handouts would be PDF files, and all assignments turned in would be electronic. After reading a number of similar articles, I will continue to require hand-written assignments. I disagree with those who state that it was (or is) difficult to learn to write neatly. Make it a requirement, and allow students to correct their messes.  Kenn

I was honestly curious why a teacher would require hand-written assignments. Allow them, I could understand, but require them? So I asked Kenn for an explanation. He graciously wrote back and has given me permission to post it here...

Didn't expect the response, but thanks!

There are actually two reasons...
(1) I believe that the majority of my students (freshman) are not ready to turn in all assignments electronically. Since the majority of their other assignments in other classes involve paper and pencil, they have been unable to make the transition effectively.

(2) I have two children (ages 10 and 7) and am working on their handwriting skills. I have seen a huge number of freshman with very (and I mean very) poor handwriting skills. I know I am not responsible for teaching them to write, but I believe I need to make that part of the class.

I will also be making one change next semester, regarding hand-written assignments. The students will be required to hand in at least one page of hand-written notes for each class meeting. I have found that in my computer class students will not take notes unless required to. I believe they think that since it's "only" computer class, they will either learn through osmosis or just know it because it's computers.

I proposed going paperless to my department this past summer and was approved, but will not try that until next fall. I would like to continue this conversation and be kept informed of your opinions and other if possible.

Hope this helps...

Kenn Gorman
Computer Teacher / Aquatics Coach
Oaks Christian Schools

Were I Kenn's student, I might bristle a bit when asked to turn something in that is handwritten. But then, I was never a very good student and tended to bristle easily. And like quite a number of my peers, I have grown so accustomed to word-processing everything, I am probably less flexible than the kids Ken teaches.

Thanks, Kenn, for some good discussion fodder. 

IS handwriting a necessary skill?