The Stakeholder Interview

by Tina Launey

The stakeholder

• Lynn Sieland-Peterson• Mother to a high school freshman

and a high school junior• Lives and teaches 5th grade in Cobb

County• Has been teaching for 22 years and

a mother for just as long!

How is technology affecting the learning process?

“It mostly enhances the learning process. I love that so many aspects are covered in school…even in elementary school, they have Excel. You have to have technological skills for almost any job now, and if you don’t talk about that in school, students just aren’t going to have that access.”

What does the phrase “technology integration” mean to you?

“It can mean almost nothing at times; at other times it can be much more extensive. Sometimes it’s just a matter of somebody showing a PowerPoint and calling it technology integration. It varies from classroom to classroom. Some people don’t want to learn new things; they’re set in their ways.”

How should technology be used in education?

“As sensibly as it can. As technology increases in our environment, students need to be prepared, which means they need access. I don’t think three computers in a classroom is adequate access. I don’t think every student needs a laptop, but there need to be more computer labs and laptop carts.”

If you were in charge of designing the modern classroom, what would it look like?

“More computers, enough for at least half the students in the class, definitely the SMART Boards…I do think it’s realistic to have half the classroom working on the computers.”

Are you happy with the level of technology use at your children’s school?

“Yes. In my daughter’s science class, they did iMovies all the time, so she’s very adept at that now. My older one was always more technologically adept than his teacher. The reason kids learn is that they have so much background already.”

Are you happy with the level of technology funding at your children’s school?

“No, because they don’t have enough access. Until the kids are using the technology…you only learn so much from watching somebody.”

Has technology changed the way your children work in their classrooms? Has it changed their assignments?

“Absolutely. I don’t know how children who don’t have computers do assignments. The teachers have an expectation…for example, my daughter had to do a really elaborate PowerPoint with all the bells and whistles. I know she’s learned most of that at school.”

How would you assess the level of technology integration in your children’s the classroom?

“It so varies. Some teachers use absolutely no technology in the classroom, and some teachers are constantly using it. My son once had a German teacher who never even unpacked her SMART Board!”

Do you feel that integration of technology into your children’s classrooms has had a positive impact on their achievement?

“Yes, but mostly just in their technology skills. I don’t know if I can make a direct correlation between their technology integration and their actual knowledge in other content areas. But to use the technology in other content areas, they have to have the background.”

What technologies are missing from your children’s school? How would these help education?

“Consistent access to computers. Having access to computers prepares students for a future where technology and technology skills are vital.”

Can you make any recommendations to improve access to and use of technology in your children’s classroom?

“More access. It’s still the biggest limitation that they don’t have adequate access.”

If you were the teacher, how would you use technology in the classroom?

“Integrate it into lessons so that they’re using technology in content areas. I don’t know that it makes learning in the content area any better, but at least they’re learning the technology as they’re learning the content area.”

References

Soundzabound. 2000's audio for podcasts dance decades of music instrumental R&B sound-a-likes volume 5. [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.soundzabound.com/