Learn by using Technology

Over my 34 years at Gibson Southern, my curriculum has evolved from just Programming to the rich and varied classes we currently offer. How can we teach students to learn by using technology?

Let me give 10 quick examples from the classes I teach:

• Photography & Editing through using digital cameras and Photoshop
• Expressing Themselves through Twitter, Facebook and Blogs
• Deliver a Message through Slides
• Personal Finance through Sheets
• Accounting Concepts through QuickBooks
• Collate Data through Internet research
• Organizational Skills through Access
• Think Scientifically through Structured and Object Oriented programming
• Design and Layout through InDesign
• Artistic Expression through Fireworks

What about demonstrating mastery without explicit requirements?

The last project in my Web Design class has only the following instruction: Make a website about yourself.

While not stated, the expectation is that the sites will include:

• Navigation Spry
• Photoshopped images
• Flash animation
• Links to other sites
• Cited material from other sites
• All covered principles of good web design.

All of the concepts covered during the entire semester - demonstrating their entire skill set - is the logical final step of a semester of projects.