Using the Internet to Conquer Your Fear of Technology:
Lessons Learned From Common Knowledge: Pittsburgh
/projects/ckp/publications/presentations/talk12.html
Presentation made by
Richard Wertheimer
at:
- The National Council of Supervisors
of Mathematics (NCSM) Annual Conference
April 15, 1997
The typical teacher in our school
district used no computer technology whatsoever. He (or she) hoped that
they could retire from teaching without having to confront the issue of
how to incorporate technology into their classroom. Our experiences in CK:P have taught us that this can change.
We have learned that there are a number of elements that are key to
changing behaviors and attitudes about technology.
- A compelling technology
- The Internet
- A personal need
- send email to your child at college
- Support
- a phone number to call (665-2230),
- an address to send email to (trouble@pps.pgh.pa.us),
- someone to come to your home and set your computer up (CK:P
staff).
- a friend to learn with.
Access
free access to the Internet from home or school.
We presently have over 3000 staff (60%) who access the Internet through
CK:P. These users have begun a learning activity that takes 1-3 years
to reach a comfort level. With these elements in place, we have found
that teachers and administrators are willing to:
- pay a great deal of their personal money to purchase expensive
personal computer systems,
- spend time attending non-paid workshops,
- become empowered, become a learner again, become a problem solver,
- begin to change their classroom
behaviors.
The types of activity that teachers find compelling are:
Common Knowledge:
Pittsburgh