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Dear Parent or Guardian,
The Technology Education program here at Montevideo Middle School is seeing many changes from the way the program ran last year. As a result, you may have several questions concerning your child and what he/she will be or has been learning. I hope the following questions and answers will help address some of your concerns.
WHAT EXACTLY IS COMPANY LEARNING VERSUS TRADITIONAL LEARNING?
I'd like to try and clarify the way that I typically handle my classes using the company format versus a traditional classroom format.. I have found that most (not all) students respond very favorably to functioning in mini-companies.. The emphasis is more on inter-personal relations, in dealing with others and in budgeting available time, while at the same time, learning basic concepts needed to use technology in todays work place "hands-on". Concepts such as "following directions", "listening carefully", "working together" and "working safe" are stressed more so than actual textbook learning. Some students are unable to grasp these concepts and would rather not learn this way. With these students, I usually find dropping back to heavier use of our textbook, "Living With Technology", is necessary. Through using the company framework as an educational process, students that wish to, can learn a great deal through company and employee management- carrying out assigned tasks, hiring, firing, dealing with problem employees, etc. At the same time, others who wish to simply learn the basics can do so as well. The overall idea here is that students learn as much from me as they do from their peers. Since todays society functions mainly using the corporate environment, the students gain invaluable knowledge that they normally would not have experienced through other programs offered. This concept is highly supported by the Montevideo Middle School Administration. Various Rockingham County School Board Personnel and Board Members have visited the program and have been very impressed with what they have seen.
I feel that an important part of todays learning process is experiencing how to function in the "real world", which isn't always a pleasant and fair place to be. Learning how a properly managed company runs and works, is equally as important as how a poorly managed company functions; both can be invaluable learning experiences. Students develop an understanding of the type of working environment they wish to take part in, or avoid, when the opportunity to work arrives.
Students will have the opportunity to learn everything from using computers (Use of various Programs- (Word processing, Graphic Design, Spreadsheets, Simulations etc.), Computer Network Operations (E-Mail, Saving/Retreiving Files, Etc.), Radio Control Technology, Robotic Technology, T-Shirt Production (Silkscreen, Heat Transfer), Video Production, Electricity/Electronics, Use of Tools and Equipment, Lab Maintenance and Cleanup, etc.
The concept of this program that differs from times gone by is that throughout their experience, students will have very few physical projects that they will actually take home. Please understand that this program is based on "hands-on" use of computers, software, and other technologies which are in place here in the Lab and cannot be taken home. Throughout the year, students will be producing T-Shirts, Can Huggies, video tape productions(which will need to be copied onto their own tape if they wish to have it brought home), graphic designs (Holiday Greetings) and small wooden mass produced projects that they will have to take home.
HOW ARE MIDTERM PROGRESS REPORTS FIGURED.. STUDENT/PEER BASED?
For clarification on the Midterm progress reports.. Through my 9 years of teaching, I have found that it helps to actually have students become involved in the grading process. Yes, I am the teacher and I do keep track of the students actual six-weeks grade, however, for their midterm, they are expected to assist in evaluating one another much like fellow employees would evaluate their co-workers. The student evaluation process, when properly done, is often close enough to their actual grade to be used as a valid indicator- often varying only a few points from their actual grade. The process gives those students who are doing well an opportunity to share their knowledge of how to succeed with those not as fortunate. Those students that aren't doing as well, can improve through self-motivation and peer learning. Since bringing the Midterm progress report home is a graded activity, most students take it very seriously and know that if their average isn't what they would like, they can do extra credit assignments to make up for points lost. If a student mis-figures his/her grade, they are not downgraded, however, I trust the ramifications of bringing home a poorly done evaluation will create enough of a learning experience to make sure that the same situation doesn't happen again.
I will sign and provide comments(as needed) on the Midterm reports signifying that I have seen it and have no specific problems with it. This by no means states that the actual average has been checked. If you wish to verify the students current average, simply add the scores provided and divide by the points possible. Students are expected to follow directions based on their grades which I provide. I "trust" the students are following directions, much as an employer "trusts" their employees in carrying out assigned tasks. If an error is detected by you, simply state that upon returning the Midterm.. your son/daughter probably won't make the same mistake- having learned from the experience.
IF STUDENTS HELP TEACH EACH OTHER, WHAT ARE YOU THERE FOR?
As a Technology Education instructor, I attempt to assist students in.. "Learning to live in a technical world..". I am here as a facilitator to see to it that students have materials needed to carry out their assigned tasks- enforcing responsibility and safety, etc. The understanding is that there are often many ways to carry out a given task. I often step back and let the students figure out for themselves what it is that they need to do to solve a given problem. By doing so, the students often develop solutions that are far more creative than would normally be considered "the right answer". This method is the current trend behind state-of-the-art Technology Education throughout the United States.
HOW ARE STUDENTS GRADED FOR THEIR WORK?
Students are required to keep a daily worklog and notebook. They are also given monthly notes to read and initial as well as textbook assignments used as a resource for their activities. Throughout the six-weeks, many grades will be calculated, some based on individual scores, others based on company scores. Not all of the above grades will necessarily be used for a given current six-weeks.. Typical assignments are due well ahead of schedule to allow students to redo work as needed to improve their grade. If a student does not take the opportunity to improve his/her grade, then their grades will be taken as is. Other grades to be taken prior to the end of any given six-weeks will be: Semester Overall project Participation (Computer Use, Tool Use, Clean-up, Class Activity), project progress checks (Graphic Design, Silkscreen, Heat Transfer, Video, Electronics, Robotics, Radio Control, etc.).
I hope that this helps to explain some of the concerns that you may have. If you still have questions, comments, or concerns.. Please feel free to either stop by the technology lab, or contact me at your convenience.
Thank you for your time.. I hope to alleviate any undue pressure or anxiety that you may have concerning your child in this program. I will make every effort to address and resolve your concerns.
Sincerely,
H. C. Herlan, Instructor
Technology Education
on February 8, 1996,