Field Trip to the MLS (Martin Luther School), Marburg
On November 9, 2011 the English students in teacher training (seminar "New Media") from the Philipps University of Marburg visited the MLS, a high school ("Gymnasium") in Marburg, Hesse.
Task 1: My impressions of the 1st field trip:
(1) The library
There are several computers in the library. All of them have internet access and can thus be used by the pupils for Internet research. When the pupils want to use one of the computers, they have to insert a card (which is signed by the parents) into a slot (up to 10th grade).
(2) Equipment in the classrooms
Every second classroom contains a media cabinet. It consists of a flat screen, a DVD-player and a small PC including a USB connection. The media cabinets are very useful for presentations and also language learning.
As you can see from the picture below, the media cabinet has a visual protection so that no one will be blinded by the sun. Another advantage is that the key has to be removed first, otherwise the media cabinet cannot be locked.
As you can see from the picture below, the media cabinet has a visual protection so that no one will be blinded by the sun. Another advantage is that the key has to be removed first, otherwise the media cabinet cannot be locked.
"Smartboards"
The MLS has two interactive whiteboards (IWB) of the company "Smart" (so called "Smartboards"). One is installed in a biology classroom, the other in one of the art classrooms. At the moment there are only two "Smartboards" because most of the staff think that the added value of an interactive whitebaord is questionnable and there is little IWB material for the upper school ("Oberstufe").
(3) The teachers' room
The teachers' room contains two computers, a small flat screen (showing the teacher substitution schedules) and a media cabinet. Teachers can use the two computers for internet research, but they have also the possibility to bring their own laptops to school. All teachers can have their own e-mail address ([email protected]) and have access to an online booking system (e.g. book rooms, fix dates for class tests).
(4) Another room for teachers
This room contains three computer workstations and a laptop trolley. Since the laptops are portable, they are frequently used.
(5) Computer room
There are also several computers in the computer room. When a teacher wants to book the computer room for the pupils he or she has to register in a book. The main computer (for the teacher) contains the programme "Mastereye Solution". It is very useful, because it enables the teacher to block or allow accesss to certain Internet pages.
(6) Other
Due to several network sockets, pupils and teachers have access to the Internet everywhere in the school. Apart from the laptop trolley the school has sixteen netbooks. Since there are a lot of stairs in the school building, portability of the media equipment is very important.
The IT-course for the pupils starts in the 6th grade. It includes a workbook and a USB-Stick with a teaching programme and has to be paid for by the parents.
Besides the small flat screen in the teachers' room there are also two bigger ones for the pupils inside the school building showing the teacher substitution schedule. There is also a mobile presentation unit.
The IT-course for the pupils starts in the 6th grade. It includes a workbook and a USB-Stick with a teaching programme and has to be paid for by the parents.
Besides the small flat screen in the teachers' room there are also two bigger ones for the pupils inside the school building showing the teacher substitution schedule. There is also a mobile presentation unit.
Task 2: What have I learned from the field trip?
I think it is very important to enable pupils and teachers to have access to the Internet or a computer in every classroom so that it can be used whenever needed. But since every school building looks different inside and has different premises, the school administration and the teachers have to think about what they need - whether they need rather portable media (like computers) or stationary ones - before purchasing. Anyway, it is better to be able to chose from different media.
Media cabinets in the classrooms which can be locked are a good idea, because the media equipment is already in the classroom and does not have to be organized somewhere in the school. It would be even better when every classroom would contain such a media cabinet.
Interactive whiteboards can also be very useful. But before purchasing interactive whiteboards schools have to think about whether they need them and also whether the interactive whiteboards are used by the teachers. After purchasing, it is also very important to make sure that all teachers receive an introduction to working with an interactive whiteboard over a longer period of time.
Flatscreens showing the teacher substitution schedule or any other important information are very useful to inform pupils and teachers in time about changes. It would be even better to inform pupils (and teachers) about every-day changes when they are at home and before they went to school (since nearly every pupil owns a smartphone or at least a computer this should not be a problem).
To have an online booking system in school is a good idea, because it ensures a better overview and is easier to handle for the teachers.
IT-courses for the pupils can be a good thing, when possible dangers of the New Media (addiction) and the Internet (access to problematic web pages containing for example pornographic contents or mobbing of pupils on social networks) are mentioned and discussed.
Conclusion:
Buy new media stuff when you think it is appropriate and is used by the pupils and teachers (+ they get along with it). Otherwise, let it be!