What Should I Do With This Parking Boot?

[Asher]

When was the last time you tried anything outside of your rather narrow and restricted field? You've expressed contempt - many times, for disciplines that you've never studied while shouting down those who have studied both. Personally, I think your philosophy of education is rather sad. You went to school, got a piece of paper with your name on it, but you might well have never attended for all the good it did you.

I spend half of my day in meetings with business types - degrees in economics, business, political science, etcetc...MBAs coming out of their asses. They are by and large not very intelligent people. I dance circles around them and make lots of product design decisions. I'm also involved with researching (and implementing) new technologies to enhance how children learn -- this involves a lot of psychology and statistical analysis.

As I said, I don't program.

I teach a class of 15 middle school students in history.

For a deaf person? Pretty difficult, actually. I'm not aware of anyone else who is a deaf teacher teaching hearing students successfully.

Boo hoo, you're deaf. Who ****ing cares? This isn't a pity party. You aren't doing anything difficult or challenging other than putting on your ****ing pants in the morning.

[Ben Kenobi]

I'm a centrist, not a liberal.

So your understanding of politics and ideology is so poor that you believe you are a centrist. Yet, you berate evil republicans and call them simpletons. Stock liberal democrat you are. Nothing special or different, in reality.

I did vote for the Conservatives last time around (though I probably won't do that next time).

And yet you castigate Republicans. I see. People change. Maybe some time in the past you could have plausibly claimed to be a conservative, but that's been quite sime time ago. Now you're firmly in the liberal camp.

[Asher]

So your understanding of politics and idealogy is so poor that you believe you are a centrist.

As someone who believes in things from both ends of the spectrum, and in fact would vote right-wing in Canada and left-wing in the USA, I'm sure that qualifies as centrist you ****ing tool.

And yet you castigate Republicans. I see. People change. Maybe some time in the past you could have plausibly claimed to be a conservative, but that's been quite sime time ago. Now you're firmly in the liberal camp.

Only to idiots who can't see shades of grey, like yourself. You're not only deaf and dumb, you're blind, too.

[Asher]

Ben, does it bother you that I discarded my American citizenship like the nuisance it was while you would give your only remaining testicle to get one?

[Ben Kenobi]

I spend half of my day in meetings with business types - degrees in economics, business, political science, etcetc...MBAs coming out of their asses. They are by and large not very intelligent people. I dance circles around them and make lots of product design decisions. I'm also involved with researching (and implementing) new technologies to enhance how children learn -- this involves a lot of psychology and statistical analysis.

Yawn. As I said, you are not challenging yourself. You know, I wonder how your coworkers would feel about your statement that they are not very intelligent people.

As I said, I don't program.

Other than hold meetings with stupid people and throw around buzz words like statistical analysis and psychology, you don't really do anything anymore, do you Asher?

You aren't doing anything difficult or challenging other than putting on your ****ing pants in the morning.

The fact that you don't even understand, is telling. Are you really claiming to be the smartest guy in the room Asher? Because you don't seem very bright to me.

[Asher]

Yawn. As I said, you are not challenging yourself. You know, I wonder how your coworkers would feel about your statement that they are not very intelligent people.

I'm sure those people wouldn't be surprised. The mid-level business types feel contempt for me because they ignore what I say then get backed into a corner, and have to do it anyway. I have support from the top so I don't give a **** what they think. I'm not at work to make friends (though I am friendly with most).

Other than hold meetings with stupid people and throw around buzz words like statistical analysis and psychology, you don't really do anything anymore, do you Asher?

Nah, I am just the technical lead for software that 6 million classrooms use virtually every day for learning. Nothing like what you do, certainly.

The fact that you don't even understand, is telling. Are you really claiming to be the smartest guy in the room Asher? Because you don't seem very bright to me.

I never claimed to be the smartest guy in the room -- there are a couple guys at work who are absolutely brilliant and definitely smarter than I am (note that none of them have BAs...)

And of course I don't seem bright to you. Nothing I say makes sense to you because your brain can't structure what normal people can.

[Ben Kenobi]

Ben, does it bother you that I discarded my American citizenship like the nuisance it was while you would give your only remaining testicle to get one?

You seem to believe that I have a high opinion of people and human nature. You think shortsightedness is rare?

Does it bother you that I have better understanding of how students learn? Sure, your shiny toys are cool, but they get in the way.

[Asher]

You seem to believe that I have a high opinion of people and human nature. You think shortsightedness is rare?

Does it bother you that I have better understanding of how students learn? Sure, your shiny toys are cool, but they get in the way.

It's interesting that last week I was speaking with 54 standout teachers from all around the world, each with far more experience than you will ever have, who couldn't stop gushing about how the software has revolutionzed their classroom? One teacher, who only teaches special needs students, said it's the only true way she can get through to her severely autistic students.

There's ****loads of studies that many governments have done on its effectiveness (and it's so effective many governments like the UK have actually LEGISLATED its use), in addition to anecdotal use. Our biggest challenge are the idiot teachers (like yourself) who do not understand the power of the software and treat it like ****ing powerpoint. But that's to be expected -- too many teachers are like you.

[Ben Kenobi]

I'm sure those people wouldn't be surprised. The mid-level business types feel contempt for me because they ignore what I say then get backed into a corner, and have to do it anyway. I have support from the top so I don't give a **** what they think. I'm not at work to make friends (though I am friendly with most).

I'm sure you have no problem winning friends and influencing people with your excellent personality and enthralling charisma.

I am just the technical lead for software that 6 million classrooms use virtually every day for learning. Nothing like what you do, certainly.

I see. So when your career is over, your fondest dream is to have as much influence over education as a pencil?

Nothing I say makes sense to you because your brain can't structure what normal people can.

Most of the really intelligent people I know learn from everyone. The last thing they would say is what you just said there.

[Wiglaf]

I have a degree in government yes, as well as a J.D. and a stolen parking boot, I am not sure why you think that's not challenging achievements, THE 90% OF PEOPLE WHO COULD NOT GET INTO MY DEGREE FACTORY OF A LAW SCHOOL WOULD BEG TO DIFFER PISSEDOFF:

[Ben Kenobi]

It's interesting that last week I was speaking with 54 standout teachers from all around the world, each with far more experience than you will ever have, who couldn't stop gushing about how the software has revolutionzed their classroom? One teacher, who only teaches special needs students, said it's the only true way she can get through to her severely autistic students.

I can't speak for special needs students as I don't teach for them.

54? I work with more teachers just in the district here...

There's ****loads of studies that many governments have done on its effectiveness (and it's so effective many governments like the UK have actually LEGISLATED its use), in addition to anecdotal use. Our biggest challenge are the idiot teachers (like yourself) who do not understand the power of the software and treat it like ****ing powerpoint. But that's to be expected -- too many teachers are like you.

Oh, so you want to force teachers to use your software. Wow. I'm impressed. See, that's one of the reasons I prefer to teach in a private school, because we don't treat our students like guinea pigs for the next fashion, let alone forcing them to adapt to things they don't need.

What makes you think I use power point, asher? What 'technologies' do you think I make use of in my classes?

[Asher]

I'm sure you have no problem winning friends and influencing people with your excellent personality and enthralling charisma.

You are being sarcastic, I know -- but you have no idea HOW TRUE THAT ACTUALLY IS.
I think some of my recommendations on LinkedIn from managers and co-workers state that, actually.

I see. So when your career is over, your fondest dream is to have as much influence over education as a pencil?

You're not even making sense any more. The product I lead and develop and design reaches something like 40 million students every day around the world. It's been proven to increase student achievement and engagement, and it's the ONLY thing many special needs teachers report work for them. You can't understand the impact that will have on people.

Most of the really intelligent people I know learn from everyone. The last thing they would say is what you just said there.

This is hilarious because you clearly didn't comprehend what I just said.

[Asher]

I can't speak for special needs students as I don't teach for them.

54? I work with more teachers just in the district here...

I don't think you get the point, Ben.

These 54 teachers were hand-picked from a pool of 5,000 applicants to come to the building and meet with the people who create the software. It's a yearly event they do. They're hardcore, award-winning teachers.

Oh, so you want to force teachers to use your software. Wow. I'm impressed. See, that's one of the reasons I prefer to teach in a private school, because we don't treat our students like guinea pigs for the next fashion, let alone forcing them to adapt to things they don't need.

I never said anything about forcing, you ****ing idiot.

What makes you think I use power point, asher? What 'technologies' do you think I make use of in my classes?

Honestly? Probably a dildo and duct tape.

[Ben Kenobi]

These 54 teachers were hand-picked from a pool of 5,000 applicants to come to the building and meet with the people who create the software. It's a yearly event they do. They're hardcore, award-winning teachers.

Right, well, colour me skeptical. Did they all get their crackerjack boxes?

There are massive, massive achievement gaps, and at least in the US - the best schools in terms of bang for their buck are the Catholic schools, who routinely outperform public schools that spend 4-5x as much as we do.

So if your program manages to halve that gap, congratulations. You've made an amazing contribution to learning, so that the public schools are falling behind less slowly than before.

Probably a dildo and duct tape.

Pencil, paper, whiteboard, whiteboard eraser, whiteboard markers. I think my overall school budget comes out to around a couple bucks per student. How much again does your toy cost?

[SlowwHand]

I tell you what, let's start an auction for that boot. Proceeds will go to Ben's classroom. Silent auction. We don't want to spread the winner around.

[Ben Kenobi]

Thanks Slowwy, but we're quite happy with what we have

It is felt that in some cases the use of ICT, particularly in secondary schools, is pushing towards being directive, routine and lacking in imagination.

Going through a random one of Asher's studies....

"Lack of autonomy, just implementing other ideas"

"Teacher intervention is required to ensure that pupils do not become distracted by the technology"

"Glossy computer graphics are used with no real purpose"

"Teacher exposition > actual time teaching"

"reliance on visual media for learning"

[lightblue]

As a secondary school teacher myself I feel that using technology to its fullest potential is actually rather useful to my students. ICT allows you to move away from the whiteboard, allows students to be more creative in their approach to their education and gives teachers more time to talk to students on a 1:1 basis, identifying their needs and tailoring their educational experience to their needs. I think blindly disregarding the impact ICT can have on a student's learning experience as well as their future prospects is not the way a 21st century teacher should be approaching his teaching. An over-reliance on technology is obviously also not a productive method of teaching, but there should be a balance.

A bit of background, I am a biology teacher who teaches 11-18 year old students at a UK private school. We rank amongst the highest achieving schools in the country, if judged by examination results. We are rolling out tablets to all of our students on a 1:1 basis after having a number of class sets for the last year or two.

If you work in a private school, where does the money that parents pay go if not to resources. Is it a for profit school? Most private schools in the UK are not-for-profit institutions with a charitable status.

[rah]

One of the better beat downs of Ben. Every post just made him look worse. What a tool.

[Dr Strangelove]

I have a degree in government yes, as well as a J.D. and a stolen parking boot, I am not sure why you think that's not challenging achievements, THE 90% OF PEOPLE WHO COULD NOT GET INTO MY DEGREE FACTORY OF A LAW SCHOOL WOULD BEG TO DIFFER PISSEDOFF:

THEN GET OUT THERE AND THROW YOUR WEIGHT AROUND! Make them beg your forgiveness.

[Asher]

Pencil, paper, whiteboard, whiteboard eraser, whiteboard markers. I think my overall school budget comes out to around a couple bucks per student. How much again does your toy cost?

It's well known that the US underfunds education.

Smartboards are expensive. In many US school districts, the parents actually band together to buy them for their child's classrooms or lobby for corporate donations. The effectiveness is so clear that it's a no brainer.

Just to be clear, we do more than make interactive whiteboards. We also make interactive response systems (so teachers can gauge students' understanding very quickly), classroom audio solutions (just in case there's, say, a deaf student...), remote learning tools (for, say, people who live in the middle of nowhere in BC), tablet software (iOS & Android), etc.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

More Wiggy less Asher Ben feuding.

[Darius871]

MY DEGREE FACTORY OF A LAW SCHOOL

Didn't you go to Georgetown?

[Felch]

It's well known that the US underfunds education.

Smartboards are expensive. In many US school districts, the parents actually band together to buy them for their child's classrooms or lobby for corporate donations. The effectiveness is so clear that it's a no brainer.

Just to be clear, we do more than make interactive whiteboards. We also make interactive response systems (so teachers can gauge students' understanding very quickly), classroom audio solutions (just in case there's, say, a deaf student...), remote learning tools (for, say, people who live in the middle of nowhere in BC), tablet software (iOS & Android), etc.

Actually the US spends **** tons of money on education. The money is simply wasted on personnel costs instead of invested in technology.

[Jon Miller]

I would say administration costs, since it is usually not the teachers who are highly paid.

JM

[Wiglaf]

Didn't you go to Georgetown?

YES

GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY LAW CENTER ADMITS ANYONE WITH A PULSE

AND EMAILS ME CONTINUALLY FOR DONATIONS EVEN THOUGH I TOLD THEM I WAS DEAD AND TOOK OUT A FAKE ADVERTISEMENT TO PROVE IT

THEY SAID OBITUARIES ARE NOT TYPICALLY POSTED IN LOCAL NEWSPAPER PRINT ADVERTISEMENTS, SO MY BROTHER CALLED TEARY EYED AND IRATE TO CONFIRM I DIED IN A GARDENING ACCIDENT, AND THEY TOLD HIM IF I'M DEAD, I WON'T MIND THE EMAILS NOW WILL I?

STILL KICKING MYSELF I DIDN'T THINK OF THAT

[Wiglaf]

And DON'T SAY A MAN WHO LIES ABOUT WALKING IN FRONT OF A TRACTOR AND STEALS A UNIVERSITY PARKING BOOT DESERVES WHAT HE GETS? NO! NO! I PAID THEM TUITION AND NOW THEY ARE SICKING (SIC) GAY CANADIAN ARCH PROGRAMMERS ON MY INBOX TO FIND ALGORITHMS TO DEFEAT MY SPAM FILTER :MAD: :MAD:

[Ben Kenobi]

Smartboards are expensive. In many US school districts, the parents actually band together to buy them for their child's classrooms or lobby for corporate donations. The effectiveness is so clear that it's a no brainer.

I've been reading the literature. So far all I've seen are qualitative studies which amount to , "OMIGOSH, they are so radical".

Some do take the time to ask the pertinent questions.

1, do students with the interactive whiteboards actually perform better when you take everything else out? It's one thing to say, look, teachers like them, students like them, but are they actually more effective? Aside from pushing visual based learning - it's a problem.

Most of my teaching revolves around just the opposite - teaching students how to read more effectively and to decode words and sentences so that they can understand what is written. I spend most of my time teaching things like affixes, suffixes, having the students read through until they can read consistantly and well.

And I'm teaching grade 8s! These aren't stupid kids - they just haven't had teachers that bothered to actually teach them to read.

Just to be clear, we do more than make interactive whiteboards. We also make interactive response systems (so teachers can gauge students' understanding very quickly), classroom audio solutions (just in case there's, say, a deaf student...), remote learning tools (for, say, people who live in the middle of nowhere in BC), tablet software (iOS & Android), etc.

No, I understand it. My style is very unusual in this day and age, I know very few who do what I do - but it is effective... once the students are actually reading at grade level, they tend to crush their assessments.

[Asher]

Ben, I'm not going to bother trying to explain to you what you should already know as a teacher in 2012. Sorry.

FWIW, yes they do perform better. There's all kinds of studies. The most recent one I saw showed a ~16% improvement in student achievement with IWBs all else being equal. That is, if a student scored 50% without, they scored 66% with.

It all depends on teacher competence, though. IWBs can hurt student achievement if the teacher doesn't care to learn how to use them appropriately. They can become a distraction or just a static slide machine, depending on how inept the teacher is.

Look, even Texans love them.

[Wiglaf]

You'd be surprised how many "studies" front groups can generate, typically that starts when industries hit the $500 million - $1 billion mark.

[Jon Miller]

I think we can all agree that the teacher and the student are the two most significant inputs.

JM