Task 2: Field Trip
On Monday, 9th of May 2011, the class “New Media in Foreign Language Education” took a field trip to Martin-Luther-Schule
in Marburg. Mr. Pichl, the deputy headmaster showed the class around
the school and presented the media equipment of the school.
He introduced the class to the digital plan for substitutions and explained that there are two working computers in the teacher’s room. But the most of the organisation of classes, teachers and other plans are still arranged on paper. For the use of new media in class, the school uses mobile projectors, cameras and a media suitcase which contains a notebook, speakers and a projector combined. The problem is the cost of the suitcase which is approx. 4000€. Also, the school has 16 notebooks; ten on a carriage and six others in notebook cases.
The MLS (short for Marin-Luther-Schule) also comes with two interactive whiteboards, one for the natural sciences and one for the art classes. These whiteboards are approx. 4000€ apiece and can act as projector, as well as a blackboard. There is software for several subjects available on the web and different coloured digital pens for writing. Mr. Pichl told the class that the whiteboard is useful for math classes, especially for geometry.
An example for an interactive whiteboard
(http://www.interactiveclassroomsolutions.ie/images/interactive-whiteboards-s2.jpg)
But these whiteboards and their software are not always stable and if one does not have the appropriate competence to handle the technology it can be very embarrassing in front of students and also take a lot of time to get the whiteboard running. Teachers are recommended to take a further training in the use of these whiteboards.
He introduced the class to the digital plan for substitutions and explained that there are two working computers in the teacher’s room. But the most of the organisation of classes, teachers and other plans are still arranged on paper. For the use of new media in class, the school uses mobile projectors, cameras and a media suitcase which contains a notebook, speakers and a projector combined. The problem is the cost of the suitcase which is approx. 4000€. Also, the school has 16 notebooks; ten on a carriage and six others in notebook cases.
The MLS (short for Marin-Luther-Schule) also comes with two interactive whiteboards, one for the natural sciences and one for the art classes. These whiteboards are approx. 4000€ apiece and can act as projector, as well as a blackboard. There is software for several subjects available on the web and different coloured digital pens for writing. Mr. Pichl told the class that the whiteboard is useful for math classes, especially for geometry.
An example for an interactive whiteboard
(http://www.interactiveclassroomsolutions.ie/images/interactive-whiteboards-s2.jpg)
But these whiteboards and their software are not always stable and if one does not have the appropriate competence to handle the technology it can be very embarrassing in front of students and also take a lot of time to get the whiteboard running. Teachers are recommended to take a further training in the use of these whiteboards.
But these whiteboards and their software are not always stable and if
one does not have the appropriate competence to handle the technology it
can be very embarrassing in front of students and also take a lot of
time to get the whiteboard running. Teachers are recommended to take a
further training in the use of these whiteboards.
These trainings can be done at the local education authority. Also, five schools in Marburg are organized in a network where those trainings can be organized. The manufacturer of the whiteboards and several publishing companies are also offering courses for the use of interactive whiteboards. Also special media days are taking place where new media and new media equipment is presented. The next will be the “Medienbildungsmesse” on September 20th in Gießen.
The logo of the “Medienbildungsmesse” (http://www.schuleundzukunft.de/uploads/RTEmagicC_Visual_MBM_11_klein.jpg.jpg)
Another use of media at MLS is the introduction of media boards in approx. 50% of the classrooms. This board contains a flat screen-TV, a DVD-Player and speakers. There is also an access for a notebook in these boards. The charge of this media boards is approx. 1000€ and the schools tries to supply more and more classrooms with them.
The MLS is not doing every organisation of its appointments only on paper. In the intranet of the school a calendar for tests is available as well as the booking for media equipment and rooms or projects concerning students of one school year. This intranet is not only accessible in school, but also from home.
Other features of new media are a program to see all the activities of students in one of the two computer rooms. This can help students to solve problems during lessons, but also help to check whether a student is working on the subject or doing something else on the web.
The last feature presented here is the so-called “Digitale Schultasche”, an USB-stick with a version of Open Office, which every student gets in grade 6. The students can use this stick in class, take it home and continue to work there. This helps to work very efficient and the students are supplied with useful equipment. Also, the platform “Klassennetz” is used by some teachers to upload files and communicate with their students on the web.
Finally, one can say that the MLS uses a lot of new media in school and tries to improve the media environment with media boards, interactive whiteboards and computer rooms. But the school is not dependent on the media. The whiteboards and media boards are an expansion of the equipment of the school, but they still rely on blackboards, a plan for substitution on paper and lists and plans for classes. The new media plays an important role in schools nowadays and their role will increase in the future, but this will take some time.
These trainings can be done at the local education authority. Also, five schools in Marburg are organized in a network where those trainings can be organized. The manufacturer of the whiteboards and several publishing companies are also offering courses for the use of interactive whiteboards. Also special media days are taking place where new media and new media equipment is presented. The next will be the “Medienbildungsmesse” on September 20th in Gießen.
The logo of the “Medienbildungsmesse” (http://www.schuleundzukunft.de/uploads/RTEmagicC_Visual_MBM_11_klein.jpg.jpg)
Another use of media at MLS is the introduction of media boards in approx. 50% of the classrooms. This board contains a flat screen-TV, a DVD-Player and speakers. There is also an access for a notebook in these boards. The charge of this media boards is approx. 1000€ and the schools tries to supply more and more classrooms with them.
The MLS is not doing every organisation of its appointments only on paper. In the intranet of the school a calendar for tests is available as well as the booking for media equipment and rooms or projects concerning students of one school year. This intranet is not only accessible in school, but also from home.
Other features of new media are a program to see all the activities of students in one of the two computer rooms. This can help students to solve problems during lessons, but also help to check whether a student is working on the subject or doing something else on the web.
The last feature presented here is the so-called “Digitale Schultasche”, an USB-stick with a version of Open Office, which every student gets in grade 6. The students can use this stick in class, take it home and continue to work there. This helps to work very efficient and the students are supplied with useful equipment. Also, the platform “Klassennetz” is used by some teachers to upload files and communicate with their students on the web.
Finally, one can say that the MLS uses a lot of new media in school and tries to improve the media environment with media boards, interactive whiteboards and computer rooms. But the school is not dependent on the media. The whiteboards and media boards are an expansion of the equipment of the school, but they still rely on blackboards, a plan for substitution on paper and lists and plans for classes. The new media plays an important role in schools nowadays and their role will increase in the future, but this will take some time.
