Comments on: What should I teach em?

By: Crucial Thought » Blog Archive » Designing and publishing an Android app with kids

Fri, 13 May 2011 13:37:58 +0000

[...] the genesis for this goes back to a question I asked some time ago, regarding what I should teach kids. I then asked for help designing the [...]

By: Lucy Ganfield

Lucy Ganfield — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:52:34 +0000

The mission of the nationally recognized SWAT concept is to promote student leadership training, address technology competencies, provide outreach to the community through parent involvement, corporate support, and student community service, and to encourage collaboration among student SWAT Teams nationally.
SWAT is now part of the START program, a partnership between Microsoft and Corporation for National and Community Service to promote Service Learning and Technology. Two of my SWAT programs just received significant funding. Send me an email and I will send you info on those two schools and what they are doing to teach some great skills.

A SWAT Team is directed by a motivated teacher and is comprised of any number of students who wish to form a structured group to advance the technology program at their school. The students advance their level of technical skills while also assisting other students, teachers and the community with computer skills. Students are required to fill out a job application and interview to be on the SWAT Team. National and State Technology Competencies are addressed as the foundation of the SWAT Team’s Mission. The SWAT Team may consist of specialized “Task Force Teams” formed to address the job force objectives and the technology goals at any school.

Some suggested SWAT Task Force Teams are:

Web Site Masters
Teacher Internet Researchers
Computer Buddies
Media Crew
Mobile Unit/Community Service
Central Unit/Computer Maintenance

Please visit my website to learn more and I can help you set up a SWAT program at your school, http://www.swatweb.net
Lucy Miller-Ganfield
President,

By: Dean Shareski

Dean Shareski — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:51:26 +0000

Hey Chris,
I could Skype in for any number of those topics. The video topics in particular are ones I could help you with. Let me know if that works or if you need any help.

By: Jack

Jack — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:53:32 +0000

I saw your request on my Twitter PLN. Looks like a great bunch of students to work with. I agree with Dr. V above that #’s 3 & 4 are important skills. #1 could be accomplished using Google Sites. #9 – the broadcast dept. at my school has started placing their creations on SchoolTube. YouTube is blocked at most schools but SchoolTube may not be. It enables the rest of the student body to see their creations.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:41:42 +0000

Thanks Dr. V.

Any resources you’d recommend in the teaching of those?

By: Mihaela (Dr. V)

Mihaela (Dr. V) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:39:39 +0000

I vote for #4 and #3, because these are lifelong skills applicable in any context. I’d also teach them how to manage their online presence wisely – but they might be a bit too young for that.