There is encouraging news regarding a mix of technology and mentoring in public schools that grabbed my attention recently: Online "Mentoring Stimulates D.C. Students (washingtonpost.com - subscription)". Although not the emphasis of the article, I identify three interesting patterns: First of all, the program began organically, using available tools, a few interested adults, and a teacher who wanted to improve the reading skills of her classes. Secondly, the program achieved results...and then, sought/received larger scaled financial support (front-end accountability). And finally, the connection between mentors and child, and the collection of mentors and children form a great example of generation-spanning learning communities. These three patterns are worth repeating in the world of educational technology...in part, because the technology is not the focus.
Nearly 6,000 D.C. elementary school students are discussing specially selected books through correspondence with nearly 3,000 adult pen pals whom they never have met. And the accompanying lessons designed by the nonprofit In2Books have been followed by higher test scores for those students.The Child Trends study estimates that a quality mentoring program costs $1,000 per student per year. In2Books is spending about $500 per student, using $1.5 million in private contributions and seeking $1.5 million from the school system. An independent analysis of scale score results on the Stanford Achievement Test-Ninth Edition shows that students in In2Books classes are about 9 points ahead of other students in reading.
I am sure that there are more stories/programs like this floating around...but it sure feels good to see a teacher taking the lead with a seed-of-an-idea and watching it grow into something powerfully rewarding.
I read much of the artcle with skepticism...wondering if the safety of these children is compromised. This has been addressed by maintaining anonymity of the child...and apparently, a certain level of monitoring of the interaction between adult and child.
The technology tools used by the participants are realtively simple by today's standards...interaction happens via email. There is something to be said for keeping it simple...and that is a lesson that we need to remind ourselves of frequently.