My final blog post as a student at Southwest Baptist
University deals with “eMINTS,” the acronym for “enhancing Missouri’s Instructional Networked Teaching Strategies,” a collaboration of the
University of Missouri, Columbia, and Missouri’s Departments of Elementary and Secondary Education and Higher
Education. From their web site, “eMINTS professional
development uses interactive group sessions and in-classroom coaching/mentoring
to help teachers integrate technology into their teaching using an
instructional model that
·
Supports high-quality lesson design
·
Promotes inquiry-based learning
·
Creates technology-rich learning environments
·
Builds community among students and teachers”
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| Hand raised, waiting for her guide, Ms. Newcomb. |
To learn more about eMINTS, I visited Ms. Vicki Newcomb,
Bolivar Intermediate School, fourth grade teacher, and a certified eMINTS
teacher, observed her classroom’s activities, and subsequently chatted with
her.
My first impressions on her classroom management, and the
students’ level of motivation, were that besides the computer monitors and
activities based on learning via technology.
During my time there, Ms. Newcomb taught a group lesson on measuring
length using the English system (she had previously taught a metric-based
lesson). All the students had rulers
(some of course found uses other than measuring, as is expected) and a
worksheet. She had that same worksheet
on the SMART
board, and used the SMART markers to measure some of the same
items on the students’ worksheets.
 |
| Playing building and construction games |
Following my observations, we discussed eMINTS and her
thoughts on technology in general. Here
are some paraphrased questions and answers; the questions are in italics, and Ms. Newcomb’s replies are in regular
font.
When did you first
learn about eMINTS? In 2002, the
first in Bolivar.
What was your first
impression of eMINTS? Given that
technology was inevitable, it was a good idea; 100 hours’ training that first
year. It was inquiry based, using
technology as a tool (12 years ago was when the computer was first added).
Did you think the
training was beneficial? It was
beneficial then, because there are so many problems with the technology
one needs to have a good basis on how to teach without it—when the lights go
out, and it doesn’t work. Some of the
younger teachers are now not as well trained for those contingencies.
What are some
disadvantages? Shortened attention
spans. If it is not moving, the student is not involved; also, the students are
experiencing a lack of communication skills.
People skills are taking a hit.
What about penmanship? Penmanship in general is no longer seen as
important, and this has begun to show in their writing skills.
 |
| Still teaching the concrete lessons |
Do penmanship and
other basic skills need to be re-introduced into the academic day? Yes. If
we teach the students how to communicate, how to read, and how to do math, they
will do well on any state testing. The
more stressing of “cramming it all in,” the less they learn. The “inquiry-based learning”—we are, at this
grade level, we are overemphasizing that too early. Without the concrete, it is really hard to go
“abstract”—and we are pushing that entirely too soon. Bottom line, I’m still teaching kids to read,
write, do math, and communicate. After
three rewrites of the curriculum, the students are still doing the same basic,
concrete subjects.
Besides the SMARTboard
and computers, what other types of media/software do you use? A lot of free stuff; but also SMARTnotebook.
This was not, of course, a verbatim transcript of the
interview; however, I believe it accurately reflects Ms. Newcomb’s sentiments.
Now, some conclusions:
When I attended the United States Naval Nuclear Power School, back right
after Old Ironsides was semi-retired (she is actually our oldest active duty
ship, and is occasionally put to sea), the hand-held calculator was first
making its appearance. We were permitted
to use one, if we so desired, during our studies. However, for exams, we were required to use
slide rules only. Fast forward three
years, and “newbies” from NPS are reporting aboard the Bainbridge, and each one
of them is sporting a nice, shiny new Texas Instruments scientific calculator! And just where are all you newbies getting
these things, we asked. And the
answer? From NPS! They were official Government Issue
devices. How we looked down our noses
with disdain upon such mentally lacking children! Can’t even use a slide rule!
Times have indeed changed.
Technology is here, for better or for worse, until death do us
part. But technology is not the panacea
its true acolytes claim. It is only a
tool. We must recognize that fact. My interview with Ms. Newcomb, a 20+ year
veteran, a near charter member of the eMINTS school of thought, Bolivar’s first
eMINTS-certified teacher, vindicates this sentiment. Let us use technology; but let us not allow
technology to use us—to dictate our basic curricula, our need to learn the
fundamentals, the “concrete,” as Ms. Newcomb so eloquently put it.
I look forward to seeing the education community learn to
make technology the tool it is.
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