From Which Path Will You Take? « Socorro Tech News blog about the Socorro Consolidated Schools participation in Innovate-Educate New Mexico conference in Albuquerque a few weeks ago. Three GenYES students created a movie that was a conference highlight. This is a big excerpt from their post about this event, because it really explains what GenYES students are all about. Be sure to watch the movie!
-Sylvia
… the stars of the conference were three Socorro students named J.R., Joel and Autumn, part of the GenYES program led by Michael Torres. GenYES is an innovative program that creates 21st Century leaders and learners. GenYES students help teachers use technology in classrooms, supporting effective technology integration school-wide. Their film (CLICK HERE TO VIEW IT) made me prouder to be an educator than anything I’ve done since teaching Second Grade. Please watch their movie so you can appreciate the comments that follow. It is also available on the SCSD Web Page.
When we were first asked by Holly Rae Bemis-Schurtz from Open Light to put together something about our participation, it was quite flattering. When the idea to include a separate video by the GenYES students hit me, I had no idea that it would be one of the biggest highlights of Innovate-Educate. The compliments about the efforts of these students were sincere, touching and overwhelming.
The best testament to the success of these students comes from their teacher, Michael Torres. When I congratulated him for the quality of the work and the reception that the GenYES movie received, Michael said, “I didn’t do a thing. They did all the work and they deserve all the credit.” Amen, Mr. Torres.
While it has been my pleasure to oversee the launch of the GenYES program this year and to coach Michael (nominally), the work of J.R., Joel and Autumn gave me a great deal of satisfaction (as well as a great big chuckle). As technology director, my philosophy is to put the technology in the hands of the students and then get out of the way. These three highly-motivated students produced a demonstration of their learning that should make everyone from our district proud (students, teachers, administrators and parents alike). Please join me in applauding their production.
But, the work of J.R., Joel and Autumn leads to me to a question: how many more masterpieces would be created if students were given more opportunities to use technology?
Hmmmmmmmmmmm … in the words of Led Zeppelin, “… and it makes me wonder.” (Stairway to Heaven, 1971)
It is so easy to choose more traditional paths for assessments and grading … things like tests (T/F, multiple guess, short answer, etc.), essays, research papers or oral presentations are comfortable and safe. They’re like an old blanket that we know will keep us warm and feeling snuggly. It is understandable that, for many, technology seems like such a risky path full of unknowns, hidden dangers, man-eating crocodiles and the potential for falling off a ten-thousand foot precipice into boiling oil. After all, why should we take risks if we don’t have to?
So … what masterpieces will your students be creating with technology? Will you let a student become engaged and express their creativity through technology? What path will you, as a teacher and educator, take? Maybe the road less traveled?
In the words of Led Zeppelin:
Yes, there are two paths you can go by,
But in the long run,
There’s still time to change the road you’re on.
And it makes me wonder.
At the 
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