Students as technology leaders: the new collaborative

Vol. 7, No. 1 • Jan/Feb 2000

Students as technology leaders: the new collaborative — Learning became authentic, with technology as the important tool
by Judy Shasek

Discusses how the H.D. Perry Middle School of Miramar, FL developed a technology mentoring program for students. Says that, at first, one student used the school's only Internet connection and taught himself to create a school Web site. Adds that he mentored his peers and eventually, training procedures were placed online so that students could follow an organized process. Relates that the ThinkQuest contest invited student to collaborate with peers from schools around world and provided a platform where learning became authentic, with technology as an important tool. Adds that students were permitted to provide technology training during summer school and worked with more than 115 students. States that final missing pieces were resolved and teachers gained more enthusiasm, eagerness to learn more, and enormous support and appreciation for the student mentors. Includes one sidebar, one photo, and one screen display.