Interview with Mister L at Garfield
Middle School, Revere, MA, 02151.
Mister L is
somebody who is confident in themselves and the technology they are using to
teach students. He has been working as a teacher now for roughly six-years. His
school has issued laptops to every student to allow them to use in class and at
home. As a math teacher he uses the laptops as a tool for instantaneous feedback
on whatever problem they are working on in class. He also uses a smartboard
that has grown to be second nature to him. So much so that when I pointed out
it was technology he laughed and forgot about that fact due to the heavy use it
gets.
His uses for the smartboard
are wide and he showed a particular sense of respect for the tool that is
obviously his favorite. When talking about all the different ways he uses it,
it was clear that he believes in its ability to enrich a student’s experience. He
noted that with kids who are visual learners the smartboard enhances their
ability because it allows them to see the problems first hand. Also Mister L
teaches in an area where English may be a second language to many. Because of
that he uses the smartboard to translate English to Spanish for students that
require that extra effort. He also has software on his computer that he uses
that translates his English printouts 1:1 into Spanish for his students.
These printouts
are duplicate in every way so that there is no disadvantage. He even takes what
he describes as a controversial approach amongst his coworkers by allowing
students to use cell phones in class to help them translate when needed.
He stated to me during
the interview that his school in Revere has been voted the top urban district
in the nation for the use of technology in the classroom. I inquired with him
about other classes that his school offers that caters to the tech-wise
student. He explained that there are courses that specifically involve the
playing of the video-game Minecraft. These courses teach building techniques as
well as special reasoning for the younger grades. Other courses being taught
include Architecture which uses computers and tablets to assist students in
learning the fundamentals of the science. Finally he explained that coding has
a variety of courses being taught. I asked if coding is being focused on
because of the necessity a skill such as that will have in life in the future
to which he agreed. It is clear that Garfield Middle School is doing its best
to keep at the forefront of the tech world.
This has
manifested itself in positive ways as I learned that his school recently received
a ten-thousand dollar grant to continue improving its technological
capabilities. Out of all this good that technology can bring I was curious on
Mister L’s opinion on the downside of technology. Surprisingly he did believe
that technology can also be a detriment. He explained how sometimes he feels
technology is being used for the sake of being technology. He told me about how
in some classes they will use Ipads to answer questions that are simple
multiple choice quizzes. He expressed frustration in that because the
technology is being used for something that can be just as easily accomplished
with a pen and paper. He also noted that he feels in classes where the
technology is too emphasized it will
stymie lesson planning. It causes a teacher to be a slave to the technology
having to create a class around using
it when the technology should be seamlessly integrated.
Overall I found
all of this incredibly thought provoking. I graduated from high school in 2009
and virtually none of these examples were present when I walked across the
stage my senior year. I found it stunning how in as little as 6 years the art
of teaching can evolve so much. Furthermore I found it hopeful because a
teacher like Mister L is taking to it so enthusiastically. I shared his
concerns regarding technology before the interview so it felt good having those
concerns validated. However, if a city like Revere which is not considered the
best place to be can have a middle school with such technological prowess it
bodes well for the future of education.
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