Journal 6

Journal 6 - EH
"Student Voices for Change," by Shannon McClintock Miller NETS-T 1,2,3,4


McClintock Miller, S. (2011). Student voices for change. Learning & Leading with Technology,38(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-august-2011.aspx

The article, "Student Voices for Change,"  talks about Van Meter Community School and how it has become an inspirational  educational transformation school. Van Meter began its journey at a testimonial held for the Iowa House and Senate Education Appropriations Committee. Administration and students came and spoke in front of this committee about their one-one invite program and their virtual program. The article then gives examples from what the  students to the committee. One example is Marcous Benton, a tenth grader who talked about computer efficiency, workers language(CEWL). He used PREZI to explain student technology groups. Next in the article came the praises from the committee and other school groups.The main point of this article was that these students from 5th-12th grade were able to have a voice and that their voices are causing the change in education.


Van Meter Community School students are put into the one-one invite program. In this program each student receives a laptop to do all their work. Students create things like PREZI presentations, YouTube videos or have their own YouTube channel, blogging, skype, and twitter. Students also create 2D and 3D virtual projects. With the one-one invite program the students are given a voice. The students are able to express themselves, reflect on their work, collaborate with others, learn from their teaches, and teach their teachers. One program the school used to become the inspirational educational transformation school is CEWL (worker language). CEWL helps by starting to assist teachers and students with technology questions and integrating tools into the classroom. (Skype, iMovie, or Blog) All this tied together has formed students who are passionate about learning and teachers who are also life long learners. 


A statement in this article that really spoke to me was from the superintendent John Carver, when he said that the students are our greatest resources and then said that we(schools) today do not empower or listen to the students. Carver then went on to say that at Van Meter they believe that their students have a voice and they honor a persons passion and help to develop their strengths. This part of the article spoke to me because I believe it to be true. Every student should have a voice, be able to be passionate about learning, and receive support from their teachers and families. I find it sad that not all schools are trying to empower their students to strive to be their best. I plan on bringing what this article speaks about to my future classroom and hope that one day my students will be voices of today. 


1. How can students be given a voice in the classroom?
The teacher can allow the students to create projects like PREZI. Using PREZI the students can use their own individual creativity, and voice what they think. Also the teacher can have the class incorporated in class procedures, having the students voice what they want and need. The students then feel involved in the class. This can be done by setting goals and using a blog. The blog contributes to the students voice by keeping the students interested and engaged in class. Thus, the students want to learn and express themselves further.


2. What can be used for teachers just starting out with technology?
Teachers can use the CEWL program(Worker language). The CEWL program helps by answering questions for teachers and students and integrating digital tools into the classroom. (Skype or iMovie) Taking it one step at a time.