Reiser Post and working in TEAMS

One of the reoccuring thoughts I had while reading through Reiser's article and examining the sample final projects was "Wow... if only." That is to say, many of these ideas and linked subject-units appear worthwhile, well planned, and would help foster lasting and more productive learning environments. However, all of that is in a "perfect world," where computers are in every classroom, student dynamics are calm and social, and all resources a teacher may need are readily available.

Instead what most schools I have taught and been a tracker in experience is not enough computers (even in computer labs.) Further, the lack of knowledge in technical realms by teachers themselves creates a larger barrier than that of students (most middle school kids have more computer training than an adult over 40). Even though I currently teach at a private school with a lot of funding and resources, I can easily see how difficult such units would be to offer and use in an inner-city or poor school. Without the computers and other technology-driven resources needed for these units (or the funding to provide them) a teache may be left with repetitions of the same activities, namely lectures and quiet reading. And if such "stations" were filled only with reading assignments and tests, I am not sure they would be any more productive than current "whole class" formats.

Another concern is that of students themselves. Although many of the younger generations now are exposed earlier to technology, many still do not have regular access. Thus, before many of these wonderful ideas can be implemented, students need be taught general skills to help them navigate the computer world. Further, it seems to be for lasting "learning" to take place, a "perfect world" would give children such access OUTSIDE the classroom as well. The wonders of Google Earth, the information (whether correct or not) on Wikipedia, and podcasts on any topic can hardly be examined at length during classtime (or on school servers). If we recognize that the "best" learning takes place outside classrooms, than it seems to me our techonology must also leave those same walls.