Thursday, September 29, 2011
Blog Post # 6
Networked Students
A networked student is a researcher, self-starter, and disciplined student. Their focus is on learning the material at hand and not waiting for someone to teach them the material. A networked student uses connectivism (defined by Wikipedia as being introduced as a theory of learning based on the premise that knowledge exists in the world rather than in the head of an individual). A networked student uses every possible resource they can to find information that pertains to what they are studying at that time. This information can help validate what they are trying to say, strengthening their argument, or contrast a theory of theirs and cause them to rethink what they have believed. A networked student is able to filter through the information they have received to form their own conclusions and therefore create scholarly documents/articles themselves.
So now that we know what a networked student is, let's dig into how a networked student affects all of those living in the 21st century. The teacher will be affected the most because they have to now be able to understand that a networked student has the information they were once trying to persuade the student to accept. They need to help the student filter all of this information and even the information that contrasts what the teacher has before proposed as true. There are a lot of varying opinions out there and what one once believed to be a solid fact may not hold true anymore. For example, it was once believed and stated as fact that Pluto was the ninth planet from the sun and now it is classified as a dwarf planet. I believe this is due to an increase in technology and networked students. Students now have the ability to challenge a lot of previous facts which means the teacher has to be open to several points of view and varying opinions unless they can prove that what is being proposed is definitely not true. A teacher must now be more of a guider and someone that is there to assist the student with their learning. The networked student will get the information and varying points of view from several sources. It is up to the teacher to help the students make the best decisions with the information they have received.
The rest of the world living in the 21st century will also have to be aware of the networked student. They need to be prepared to bestow information to students at all levels from all over the world. The classroom is now global and just because you are not physically in the same room as the student does not mean that you will impact what they learn. It was once stated that it takes a village to raise a child and now we are experiencing it and can see that the village has grown and is now the world. So the businessmen, teachers, parents, administrators, government employees, and even the so called "blue collar" workers will need to be aware that they are being watched closer than they ever have before. We are all role models to the networked student and as such we need to ensure our future is bright by being morally responsible to everyone around us.
As a future educator I am now taking the steps required to become a "networked instructor". I am making lifelong connections that will help me challenge and justify some of the networked students' questions. They will have a lot of questions relating to what they have found and I have to be able to help them understand and validate or dismiss what they have found. I will need the assistance of those experienced in such areas and those that have researched the concepts the students are presenting. I need to leave the students with the ability to understand what they have learned and the ability to accept or dismiss certain arguments with sound judgment. I am on my way to becoming an excellent "networked instructor" that is able to help a network student learn in this age of abundant information. I am not saying that the information hasn't always been out there but with all of the tools available today, accessing the information is now easier than it has ever been before.
Wendy Drexler has some very interesting challenges that she listed on her blog post Networked Student Challenges as she is trying to help the students become networked students. Some challenges she found were: Fitting within the framework of required curricular standards and giving students a choice of topics that maintains the learner's freedom yet falls within the life sciences curriculum. These challenges are what I would call “political barriers” and are something the administrators have to change to allow the students to explore their creative abilities. The problem is not that they won't get what is intended to be taught. The problem is the administrators are not ready to accept the challenges the networked student will present and are therefore reluctant to allow such creativity. Wendy states "It's the unknown unknowns that really worry me." and this is because as current educators we don't know what the future holds. We don't know if what we are teaching is what they really need to know. Yes, they need the basics, but what else do they need? The life skills are being taught where? This is what a networked student needs most and is the most challenging to achieve.
A 7th Grader's Personal Learning Environment (or PLN)
After watching a 7th Grader's Personal Learning Environment (or PLN) I can see that I am really lacking. I can't say that I have a PLN on the internet because I have only been taught in the past to find out information through research and comment on that research. With a PLN I have the ability to research, comment, and make my own conclusions and have this information be justified by an expert. I have my own thoughts and opinions about everything and my opinions might just open up questions about former research. What I have to say or what I know may be useful for other students, researchers, and experts alike. Everybody sees things in their own way and what has been instilled in us are the opinions of others and the way they saw things. It is time to open our minds, create PLN's and show the world what we have to offer. You never know where it will take you but you do know that if no one else knows about your beliefs it is impossible to go anywhere.
A networked student is a researcher, self-starter, and disciplined student. Their focus is on learning the material at hand and not waiting for someone to teach them the material. A networked student uses connectivism (defined by Wikipedia as being introduced as a theory of learning based on the premise that knowledge exists in the world rather than in the head of an individual). A networked student uses every possible resource they can to find information that pertains to what they are studying at that time. This information can help validate what they are trying to say, strengthening their argument, or contrast a theory of theirs and cause them to rethink what they have believed. A networked student is able to filter through the information they have received to form their own conclusions and therefore create scholarly documents/articles themselves.
So now that we know what a networked student is, let's dig into how a networked student affects all of those living in the 21st century. The teacher will be affected the most because they have to now be able to understand that a networked student has the information they were once trying to persuade the student to accept. They need to help the student filter all of this information and even the information that contrasts what the teacher has before proposed as true. There are a lot of varying opinions out there and what one once believed to be a solid fact may not hold true anymore. For example, it was once believed and stated as fact that Pluto was the ninth planet from the sun and now it is classified as a dwarf planet. I believe this is due to an increase in technology and networked students. Students now have the ability to challenge a lot of previous facts which means the teacher has to be open to several points of view and varying opinions unless they can prove that what is being proposed is definitely not true. A teacher must now be more of a guider and someone that is there to assist the student with their learning. The networked student will get the information and varying points of view from several sources. It is up to the teacher to help the students make the best decisions with the information they have received.
The rest of the world living in the 21st century will also have to be aware of the networked student. They need to be prepared to bestow information to students at all levels from all over the world. The classroom is now global and just because you are not physically in the same room as the student does not mean that you will impact what they learn. It was once stated that it takes a village to raise a child and now we are experiencing it and can see that the village has grown and is now the world. So the businessmen, teachers, parents, administrators, government employees, and even the so called "blue collar" workers will need to be aware that they are being watched closer than they ever have before. We are all role models to the networked student and as such we need to ensure our future is bright by being morally responsible to everyone around us.
As a future educator I am now taking the steps required to become a "networked instructor". I am making lifelong connections that will help me challenge and justify some of the networked students' questions. They will have a lot of questions relating to what they have found and I have to be able to help them understand and validate or dismiss what they have found. I will need the assistance of those experienced in such areas and those that have researched the concepts the students are presenting. I need to leave the students with the ability to understand what they have learned and the ability to accept or dismiss certain arguments with sound judgment. I am on my way to becoming an excellent "networked instructor" that is able to help a network student learn in this age of abundant information. I am not saying that the information hasn't always been out there but with all of the tools available today, accessing the information is now easier than it has ever been before.
A 7th Grader's Personal Learning Environment (or PLN)
After watching a 7th Grader's Personal Learning Environment (or PLN) I can see that I am really lacking. I can't say that I have a PLN on the internet because I have only been taught in the past to find out information through research and comment on that research. With a PLN I have the ability to research, comment, and make my own conclusions and have this information be justified by an expert. I have my own thoughts and opinions about everything and my opinions might just open up questions about former research. What I have to say or what I know may be useful for other students, researchers, and experts alike. Everybody sees things in their own way and what has been instilled in us are the opinions of others and the way they saw things. It is time to open our minds, create PLN's and show the world what we have to offer. You never know where it will take you but you do know that if no one else knows about your beliefs it is impossible to go anywhere.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Summary of C4K Posts
Summary of C4K Posts for September
For the first C4K assignment, I was assigned to Quinn. Quinn created a very interesting poem and I commented on that poem. He mentioned that he liked football and I added that I enjoyed football as well. He also mentioned that he was a caring, funny, and respectful and I added that I believe that I am as well. It wasn't much but it shows that someone is reading and paying attention to his blog.
In C4K #2 I posted to Lauren's blog in response to her posting about Alton Towers. I briefly explained to her how well her posting was written and told her I would like to visit Alton Towers as well one day. She also rated the rides their and now I know which rides to go on at Alton Towers (theme park I believe) because of her post.
I commented on Shiann's post as well for C4K #2 because Shiann's post was really thoughtful and powerful. Shiann did a tribute to those who died and fought for our freedom on 9/11 and asked that we send up prayers for them and their families. I told Shiann I would do as he/she asked and have done so. I also explained to Shiann what I was doing that day and how I remember the tragedy and sadness. Every year around 9/11 I am thankful and blessed that I was not in towers at that time or even in the city. I told Shiann he/she was truly inspirational and thanked Shiann for the courage to post that tribute. It was an excellent post.
For C4K #3 I posted to Mr. Norman and thanked him for his work with Mr. Capps and Mrs. Yim. I told him that what they are doing for the kids is wonderful. I watched some of his videos and listened to some of the songs he had recorded. I explained to him how his experience would be greatly appreciated by all involved in this initiative. I told him how this seemed to get the kids engaged in learning and they wanted to participate. I explained that if this is a way to get the kids to participate, this initiative will definitely take off and be successful.
For the first C4K assignment, I was assigned to Quinn. Quinn created a very interesting poem and I commented on that poem. He mentioned that he liked football and I added that I enjoyed football as well. He also mentioned that he was a caring, funny, and respectful and I added that I believe that I am as well. It wasn't much but it shows that someone is reading and paying attention to his blog.
In C4K #2 I posted to Lauren's blog in response to her posting about Alton Towers. I briefly explained to her how well her posting was written and told her I would like to visit Alton Towers as well one day. She also rated the rides their and now I know which rides to go on at Alton Towers (theme park I believe) because of her post.
I commented on Shiann's post as well for C4K #2 because Shiann's post was really thoughtful and powerful. Shiann did a tribute to those who died and fought for our freedom on 9/11 and asked that we send up prayers for them and their families. I told Shiann I would do as he/she asked and have done so. I also explained to Shiann what I was doing that day and how I remember the tragedy and sadness. Every year around 9/11 I am thankful and blessed that I was not in towers at that time or even in the city. I told Shiann he/she was truly inspirational and thanked Shiann for the courage to post that tribute. It was an excellent post.
For C4K #3 I posted to Mr. Norman and thanked him for his work with Mr. Capps and Mrs. Yim. I told him that what they are doing for the kids is wonderful. I watched some of his videos and listened to some of the songs he had recorded. I explained to him how his experience would be greatly appreciated by all involved in this initiative. I told him how this seemed to get the kids engaged in learning and they wanted to participate. I explained that if this is a way to get the kids to participate, this initiative will definitely take off and be successful.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Blog Post #5
Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff. Please?
Dr. McLeod brings up some interesting facts about the internet and how parents, teachers, and administrators feel about it. It is interesting that he brings up a lot of information about social media but doesn't talk too much about the educational tools that exist on the web. This may be where the disconnect lies for the parents, teachers, and administrators today. As a parent, I have seen all of the negativity and harmful things that are out there “in the cloud". But as a student and young adult, I can see the benefits of this new technology in the classroom now and in the future. We must somehow bridge the gap that exists between the understanding of technology uses in the classroom and the negativity that surrounds the “net”. Dr. McLeod infers that the children whose parents, teachers, and administrators will be lacking in the future. Is this really the case?
I don't believe it is and therefore don’t totally agree with Dr. McLeod. I see this "Net" generation much differently than those of the past. The parents, teachers, and administrators don't understand the technology as much as their children do and are therefore reluctant to try to explain this technology to their children. The children now know more than the parents, teachers, and administrators and this can be frightening and frustrating for those seemingly in power. This is what the kids of the net generation know and want to learn and because of this, they will go out of their way to learn it. Regardless of what parents do or don't, these children will find a way to stay abreast of the new technology and keep up with the world. The parents, teachers, and administrators will unfortunately be the ones left behind.
So, what parents need to do is try their best to keep up with the changing technology (although I believe they will continue to be behind the “Net” generation). What can they lose? They will appear smarter (to their children) and their children will be able to communicate with them better and they will understand their children. A good parent, educator, and administrator should always have the best interest of the children at heart. The children want to be successful so why should we hold them back. Let them spread their wings and fly. Who knows what the future will hold?
On the EDM310 class blog Dr. McLeod said "I think the challenge for us is that many teachers or parents don't know that much about the positives or negatives of the Internet. They don't really understand the larger societal things that are happening b/c of the Web. Nor are they proficient users of many of the tools their children are using." This is exactly what I have been trying to say and he couldn't have stated it any better. He also posted this comment from Don Tapscott "This is the first time in history when young people may know more than adults about something that's important." and asked us to think about that for a minute. The adults know this and that is why some of them will try to keep their children in the dark. The worst part is they don't realize that it won't work and in the future their children will be more apt to keep them in the dark about what they really know and have seen.
Dr. McLeod is an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Kentucky and the Founding Director of the UCEA Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education (CASTLE). He has received several honors including: being named as a Leader in Learning by the cable industry; an Emerging Leader by Phi Delta Kappa International; and one of the National School Board Association’s 20 To Watch. He was the first untenured faculty member to ever receive the University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development’s Distinguished Teaching Award and he received the William J. Davis Award in 2002 for the best research article of the year in Educational Administration Quarterly. Source: Dr. McLeod's Biography
The iSchool Initiative
In Travis Allen's iSchool Initiative Video, Travis brings up several good ideas related to the iTouch as it was then. He wants to launch an initiative where the iSchool is the idea of the future. He shows us all of the applications including the calendar, star walk, formulae, graphing calculator, and recorder (just to name a few) that are available for use in the iClassroom. All of these tools are very useful and powerful to an educator that wants to have access to their classroom at any time. Why wouldn't a teacher want to be able to see and know who was in the classroom on a specific day and compare that information to the test scores received? Why go out and buy all of the additional materials when you don't need to because they are available at the iSchool? These applications exist on the iTouch and thus will be available in the iSchool.
The classics, where you can access any book and read the chapter you want to read, is another amazing tool that is available on the iTouch along with iHomework. The technology is there and teachers just have to want to learn how to use it and use it in their classrooms. Too much work? Maybe. Toward the end of Travis' presentation he brought up how the iSchool would have customizable classrooms and how the internet availability in the iSchool would be for educational purposes only. He also mentioned that it would save the schools $600 per student because the iSchool would only be about $150. While all of this is great, how does he propose to do all of this and who will be responsible for the classrooms? He mentions business professionals, associations, and Apple iTouch programmers. The problem with this is they know what is best for business but not necessarily education. The teachers collaboration with the business professionals, associations, and iTouch programmers can only help make his initiative a true success. But, will the teachers adapt to this new technology? The concept is great, the savings are there, but will it make teachers and students lazy or better learners? Stay tuned to the iSchool Initiative to find out.
Travis launches iSchool initiative and from there he is able to recruit students to spread the word about the iSchool. I believe the benefits of his initiative far outweigh the cost of the way education is today. And with the US focused on education reform, the government should back the initiative and make it something that every teacher and student is able to access. This young man did something that needed to be done about 10 years ago and now is being heralded as "The Mark Zuckerberg of Education" by Larry Jacobs - President Education Talk Radio. I won't take it that far, but he has made the entire world think about education in a different way and I believe people are now starting to believe that something like this can really be done.
Technology has become a way of life for most Americans today. Most people won't leave their home without their cell phone. They won't go throughout the day without at least one text or phone call being made. So, if we have the smart phones and people are likely to use them, let's use them for good. Education is a start and who knows where we can go from there. Congratulations to Travis for this concept but it should have been thought of long before the rest of the technology that exists today. We have to put the education of our youth at the forefront of everyone's mind because they truly are our future.
Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir
My first and utmost reaction to Jennifer's post and this use of technology is WOW!!! This is truly dynamic, inspiring, and mind-blowing!!! Eric is a musical genius. The music sounds great and the way he displays all of the singers is amazing. The display in some of his other videos is purely a work of cinematographic genius. The vision he had to put all of this together can only have come from God. A world united is what I call this and I can't believe that I have had the opportunity to experience something so beautiful. Look at this technology in use. It is not all bad and I believe that if we try harder we can see all of the benefits of the internet and modern technology. Again, WOW and a big thank you to Jennifer Chambers for bringing this marvelous work to our attention. I invite people to watch Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir 2 perform "Sleep" which encompasses over 2000 people in 58 countries. It is also truly amazing.
Teaching in the 21st Century
Roberts wants educators to understand that to "teach" in the 21st century means you need to know what information is out there "in the clouds" and be able to help students learn. You can no longer be just the information provider, nor should you have ever just been the information provider, but now you need to be the understanding voice that students go to. You need to be the one that can explain why things are the way they are. The main point of his video is reasoning. If you can teach a student how to reason, they will be able to do just about anything else they need to do. This means that they will be able to justify any action they take or word they say. If a student understands what reasoning is and how to do it, they can better decipher the information they come across and make better decisions because of it.
Roberts sees teaching as an engaging experience for the students and teachers. I believe this is what students need to be successful anyway. If they are engaged, they feel a sense of accomplishment when they know something has been done the correct way. They see that the teacher cares about their work and the student cares too. This will also help the students as adults. An engaged worker usually has a strong work ethic and produces quality work. Not only do they produce quality work, they know they are held accountable for deadlines because they are engaged in the process and tend to be very efficient with scheduling. So, engaging students not only helps them in school but it will also help them in life and they will ultimately be successful.
If Roberts is correct, which I believe he is, I will have to definitely be technologically literate (to start) and be able to guide my students in any way that they want to go. Teaching will not be just going up to the chalkboard (past) and righting information on the board and making sure students get it. It will mean that I will be using things like Smartboard and allowing students to find websites and explore these websites to help them get a better understanding of the material. I will have to help the students better understand why they are learning the material and be able to explain how this information will help them in the future. A lot of students don't realize how the information they have learned will actually help them on a daily basis. As a teacher in the 21st century there will be a bigger emphasis on "why do I need this?" and we need to be able to explain how it will help. The technology that exists today will be obsolete in 5 years and the children may come into the classroom with all of the information they need for the year. The problem and solution for the teacher is being able to keep up and making sure the students know why you are there. The answer is to help them make better decisions by providing life skills. The information is needed but what you do with the information is what will make you successful.
Dr. McLeod brings up some interesting facts about the internet and how parents, teachers, and administrators feel about it. It is interesting that he brings up a lot of information about social media but doesn't talk too much about the educational tools that exist on the web. This may be where the disconnect lies for the parents, teachers, and administrators today. As a parent, I have seen all of the negativity and harmful things that are out there “in the cloud". But as a student and young adult, I can see the benefits of this new technology in the classroom now and in the future. We must somehow bridge the gap that exists between the understanding of technology uses in the classroom and the negativity that surrounds the “net”. Dr. McLeod infers that the children whose parents, teachers, and administrators will be lacking in the future. Is this really the case?
I don't believe it is and therefore don’t totally agree with Dr. McLeod. I see this "Net" generation much differently than those of the past. The parents, teachers, and administrators don't understand the technology as much as their children do and are therefore reluctant to try to explain this technology to their children. The children now know more than the parents, teachers, and administrators and this can be frightening and frustrating for those seemingly in power. This is what the kids of the net generation know and want to learn and because of this, they will go out of their way to learn it. Regardless of what parents do or don't, these children will find a way to stay abreast of the new technology and keep up with the world. The parents, teachers, and administrators will unfortunately be the ones left behind.
So, what parents need to do is try their best to keep up with the changing technology (although I believe they will continue to be behind the “Net” generation). What can they lose? They will appear smarter (to their children) and their children will be able to communicate with them better and they will understand their children. A good parent, educator, and administrator should always have the best interest of the children at heart. The children want to be successful so why should we hold them back. Let them spread their wings and fly. Who knows what the future will hold?
On the EDM310 class blog Dr. McLeod said "I think the challenge for us is that many teachers or parents don't know that much about the positives or negatives of the Internet. They don't really understand the larger societal things that are happening b/c of the Web. Nor are they proficient users of many of the tools their children are using." This is exactly what I have been trying to say and he couldn't have stated it any better. He also posted this comment from Don Tapscott "This is the first time in history when young people may know more than adults about something that's important." and asked us to think about that for a minute. The adults know this and that is why some of them will try to keep their children in the dark. The worst part is they don't realize that it won't work and in the future their children will be more apt to keep them in the dark about what they really know and have seen.
Dr. McLeod is an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Kentucky and the Founding Director of the UCEA Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education (CASTLE). He has received several honors including: being named as a Leader in Learning by the cable industry; an Emerging Leader by Phi Delta Kappa International; and one of the National School Board Association’s 20 To Watch. He was the first untenured faculty member to ever receive the University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development’s Distinguished Teaching Award and he received the William J. Davis Award in 2002 for the best research article of the year in Educational Administration Quarterly. Source: Dr. McLeod's Biography
The iSchool Initiative
In Travis Allen's iSchool Initiative Video, Travis brings up several good ideas related to the iTouch as it was then. He wants to launch an initiative where the iSchool is the idea of the future. He shows us all of the applications including the calendar, star walk, formulae, graphing calculator, and recorder (just to name a few) that are available for use in the iClassroom. All of these tools are very useful and powerful to an educator that wants to have access to their classroom at any time. Why wouldn't a teacher want to be able to see and know who was in the classroom on a specific day and compare that information to the test scores received? Why go out and buy all of the additional materials when you don't need to because they are available at the iSchool? These applications exist on the iTouch and thus will be available in the iSchool.
The classics, where you can access any book and read the chapter you want to read, is another amazing tool that is available on the iTouch along with iHomework. The technology is there and teachers just have to want to learn how to use it and use it in their classrooms. Too much work? Maybe. Toward the end of Travis' presentation he brought up how the iSchool would have customizable classrooms and how the internet availability in the iSchool would be for educational purposes only. He also mentioned that it would save the schools $600 per student because the iSchool would only be about $150. While all of this is great, how does he propose to do all of this and who will be responsible for the classrooms? He mentions business professionals, associations, and Apple iTouch programmers. The problem with this is they know what is best for business but not necessarily education. The teachers collaboration with the business professionals, associations, and iTouch programmers can only help make his initiative a true success. But, will the teachers adapt to this new technology? The concept is great, the savings are there, but will it make teachers and students lazy or better learners? Stay tuned to the iSchool Initiative to find out.
Travis launches iSchool initiative and from there he is able to recruit students to spread the word about the iSchool. I believe the benefits of his initiative far outweigh the cost of the way education is today. And with the US focused on education reform, the government should back the initiative and make it something that every teacher and student is able to access. This young man did something that needed to be done about 10 years ago and now is being heralded as "The Mark Zuckerberg of Education" by Larry Jacobs - President Education Talk Radio. I won't take it that far, but he has made the entire world think about education in a different way and I believe people are now starting to believe that something like this can really be done.
Technology has become a way of life for most Americans today. Most people won't leave their home without their cell phone. They won't go throughout the day without at least one text or phone call being made. So, if we have the smart phones and people are likely to use them, let's use them for good. Education is a start and who knows where we can go from there. Congratulations to Travis for this concept but it should have been thought of long before the rest of the technology that exists today. We have to put the education of our youth at the forefront of everyone's mind because they truly are our future.
Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir
My first and utmost reaction to Jennifer's post and this use of technology is WOW!!! This is truly dynamic, inspiring, and mind-blowing!!! Eric is a musical genius. The music sounds great and the way he displays all of the singers is amazing. The display in some of his other videos is purely a work of cinematographic genius. The vision he had to put all of this together can only have come from God. A world united is what I call this and I can't believe that I have had the opportunity to experience something so beautiful. Look at this technology in use. It is not all bad and I believe that if we try harder we can see all of the benefits of the internet and modern technology. Again, WOW and a big thank you to Jennifer Chambers for bringing this marvelous work to our attention. I invite people to watch Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir 2 perform "Sleep" which encompasses over 2000 people in 58 countries. It is also truly amazing.
Teaching in the 21st Century
Roberts wants educators to understand that to "teach" in the 21st century means you need to know what information is out there "in the clouds" and be able to help students learn. You can no longer be just the information provider, nor should you have ever just been the information provider, but now you need to be the understanding voice that students go to. You need to be the one that can explain why things are the way they are. The main point of his video is reasoning. If you can teach a student how to reason, they will be able to do just about anything else they need to do. This means that they will be able to justify any action they take or word they say. If a student understands what reasoning is and how to do it, they can better decipher the information they come across and make better decisions because of it.
Roberts sees teaching as an engaging experience for the students and teachers. I believe this is what students need to be successful anyway. If they are engaged, they feel a sense of accomplishment when they know something has been done the correct way. They see that the teacher cares about their work and the student cares too. This will also help the students as adults. An engaged worker usually has a strong work ethic and produces quality work. Not only do they produce quality work, they know they are held accountable for deadlines because they are engaged in the process and tend to be very efficient with scheduling. So, engaging students not only helps them in school but it will also help them in life and they will ultimately be successful.
If Roberts is correct, which I believe he is, I will have to definitely be technologically literate (to start) and be able to guide my students in any way that they want to go. Teaching will not be just going up to the chalkboard (past) and righting information on the board and making sure students get it. It will mean that I will be using things like Smartboard and allowing students to find websites and explore these websites to help them get a better understanding of the material. I will have to help the students better understand why they are learning the material and be able to explain how this information will help them in the future. A lot of students don't realize how the information they have learned will actually help them on a daily basis. As a teacher in the 21st century there will be a bigger emphasis on "why do I need this?" and we need to be able to explain how it will help. The technology that exists today will be obsolete in 5 years and the children may come into the classroom with all of the information they need for the year. The problem and solution for the teacher is being able to keep up and making sure the students know why you are there. The answer is to help them make better decisions by providing life skills. The information is needed but what you do with the information is what will make you successful.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Blog Post #4
Podcasting - What is it?
According to the EPN (The Education Podcast Network), podcasting is essentially radio programming that can be produced with a standard computer, microphone, free software, and a web site for posting your programming. To me, podcasting is radio over the internet, well basically, without the advertising/commercials. And from what I have read and listened to podcasts have been used to tell stories, express ideas about a specific topic, or inform an audience about a specific topic. So, I agree with the definition provided by the EPN.
My question is why are podcasts so popular now? Is it because they are on the internet and before podcast there wasn't really any way to have your voice heard over the internet? Why are podcasts so popular? One might state that they are because they have global reach and radio was, before internet and satellite radio, local. Someone else might say that it gives everyone a voice and allows everyone to be heard throughout the world. Whatever it is, podcasts are popular and they seem to be getting more popular day after day.
I will now tell you about some of the podcasts I have listened to recently. A group of third graders have their own radio show called Eagle's Nest Radio and you can really tell these 3rd graders take pride and joy in their podcast. They are re-telling stories on books they have read and are basically making these books come to life. By adding sound effects in the background and getting into character mode, you can clearly hear that these students are having fun with their podcasts. So, is this what it takes for children to read and learn? Of course, when you are able to portray the characters in the book on stage or "on air" there is a sense of accomplishment when you get it right. So I would think that students are more willing to read for clarity and understanding so they can get it right.
I also had the opportunity to visit Joe Dale's The Benefits of Podcasting in The Classroom vodcast and he explained some of the benefits of podcasting in the classroom. One of the most beneficial uses of a podcast (or vodcast) in the classroom, especially when the teacher is making a vodcast of the classroom, is that children that are ill are able to access the podcast or vodcast over the internet and not miss a lesson. Now this should, by no way, take the place of students coming to class and if not careful, this could happen. It should merely be used as a supplement to the classroom instruction. If parents are able to see the vodcast or listen to the podcast with their child when they return from school, they are able to understand what was learned in school and better assist their children with their learning and development. I believe that Joe Dale also had this vision when he was speaking of the benefits of podcasting in the classroom. A podcast can be a great tool when used the correct way.
I guess the biggest thing I have learned from the material that I have reviewed that will help me with my podcast is how beneficial a podcast will be to others on the internet. Because my podcast has the possibility to reach billions of people, I need to be aware of my audience and ensure that my podcasts are always good. A podcast, unlike radio, is a good tool for all to use at a very reasonable price.
According to the EPN (The Education Podcast Network), podcasting is essentially radio programming that can be produced with a standard computer, microphone, free software, and a web site for posting your programming. To me, podcasting is radio over the internet, well basically, without the advertising/commercials. And from what I have read and listened to podcasts have been used to tell stories, express ideas about a specific topic, or inform an audience about a specific topic. So, I agree with the definition provided by the EPN.
My question is why are podcasts so popular now? Is it because they are on the internet and before podcast there wasn't really any way to have your voice heard over the internet? Why are podcasts so popular? One might state that they are because they have global reach and radio was, before internet and satellite radio, local. Someone else might say that it gives everyone a voice and allows everyone to be heard throughout the world. Whatever it is, podcasts are popular and they seem to be getting more popular day after day.
I will now tell you about some of the podcasts I have listened to recently. A group of third graders have their own radio show called Eagle's Nest Radio and you can really tell these 3rd graders take pride and joy in their podcast. They are re-telling stories on books they have read and are basically making these books come to life. By adding sound effects in the background and getting into character mode, you can clearly hear that these students are having fun with their podcasts. So, is this what it takes for children to read and learn? Of course, when you are able to portray the characters in the book on stage or "on air" there is a sense of accomplishment when you get it right. So I would think that students are more willing to read for clarity and understanding so they can get it right.
I also had the opportunity to visit Joe Dale's The Benefits of Podcasting in The Classroom vodcast and he explained some of the benefits of podcasting in the classroom. One of the most beneficial uses of a podcast (or vodcast) in the classroom, especially when the teacher is making a vodcast of the classroom, is that children that are ill are able to access the podcast or vodcast over the internet and not miss a lesson. Now this should, by no way, take the place of students coming to class and if not careful, this could happen. It should merely be used as a supplement to the classroom instruction. If parents are able to see the vodcast or listen to the podcast with their child when they return from school, they are able to understand what was learned in school and better assist their children with their learning and development. I believe that Joe Dale also had this vision when he was speaking of the benefits of podcasting in the classroom. A podcast can be a great tool when used the correct way.
I guess the biggest thing I have learned from the material that I have reviewed that will help me with my podcast is how beneficial a podcast will be to others on the internet. Because my podcast has the possibility to reach billions of people, I need to be aware of my audience and ensure that my podcasts are always good. A podcast, unlike radio, is a good tool for all to use at a very reasonable price.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Blog Post #3
My Peer Editing Experience
My peer editing experience was a good test of how well I paid attention to Paige's post. The positive things about my peer editing experience were that I was able to make it through my classmates post and hopefully help them with future posts. I believe I was clear in what I said but I was a little confused on my peers stand on the overall subject. Unfortunately, there were a lot of spelling and grammatical errors that I really didn't expect to see at this level.
I decided to offer most of my suggestions privately because there were a lot of errors in my peers post and I didn't want them to be too embarrassed. I also chose to go this route because I believe I would want someone to do the same for me and give me a chance to correct those errors. Yes, I know these posts are public and some things cannot be erased. But, if we can help someone out, let's do them a favor so they can do their best and become better educators without embarrassing them.
"It's Not About The Technology"
Kelly makes several key points when she mentions how much we need technology. She first mentions that teachers must be learners and that is totally true. Her statement "Teachers today must be perpetual learners who are invested in their professions." reminds us that in every profession if you want to stay successful, you must keep up to date with what is going on. I worked in the marketing and advertising industry for 4 years and if we were not aware of all of the changing trends, my company would be out of business. Why should teachers be any different? We must remain aware of our surroundings and be sure we are preparing our students for a solid future.
Kelly also states "Learning will not look the same to all students or all teachers, but it must be the goal". Based on some studies and research about Sir Ken Robinson, I believe he was referring to teaching and learning this way also. He mentioned that their needed to be creativity in the classroom. This means that the way people learn will be different and creative. I have stated it before and continue to believe that the creativity that is needed starts with the teacher. It is from here that the students learn and accept that creativity in learning and teaching is OK. Students are then more apt to try new things to better understand the material.
Kelly mentions one very important fact at the end of her blog post. She states that "...it really is not about the technology" and I don't think you could have said it any better. Yes, the technology makes a difference but truthfully it is not about the technology itself, it is more about the user of the technology. If teachers and students are able to use the technology to help facilitate learning, we all succeed. It doesn't matter what sites they go to, what they read, as long as they are able to explore their interest. People will take what they like and use it to their advantage. With students this means that if they can find something on the computer to help them learn, they will use it and be better learners because of it.
Is It Okay to Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?
Long behold, we have come to the debate of the times. The trivial question of: Is it ok for a teacher to be technologically illiterate? can and probably will be debated for several more years to come. Karl Fisch made it resounding clear that he does not believe that it is ok for a teacher to be technologically illiterate. While I mostly agree with this statement, who's to say that what we believe is fact and what must be. Karl states in his post "Headteachers and Principals who have staff who are technologically-illiterate should be held to account." meaning that if their staff doesn't know how to use technology it will be bad for the end user, the student. I don't necessarily agree with this. I believe that the head teachers and principals should be accountable for their staff if the students aren't learning. Our overall goal as teachers is to make sure our students learn the material. Whether they use technology or not, their students can still be successful and that is what should really "hold water". As leaders of other teachers we should be encouraging our staff to seek out resources to help them be better teachers but if the students are learning and can demonstrate that they are, why does it matter if the teacher isn't technologically literate. The reason why I don't believe that it is ok for a teacher to be technologically illiterate is because I don't believe they are able to be effective teachers and be technologically illiterate.
Karl brings up a scenario where a parent gives an excuse for their inadequacies in their children. He mentions some parents would say "I was never any good at math either" or in a comment left for this post by Terry Sale she states that adults would say "I don't read" in the same way they would "say I don't smoke". He relates that these excuses as being the same as a teacher saying "I don't really get computers" and it being ok. It is not ok if the students' ability to learn is hindered by the teacher's ignorance and the teacher chooses to use this excuse as a reason not to help the student learn. As teachers, we are going to have to use whatever tools are available to make sure our students can learn the material. Does this mean we have to use technology? No, but it does mean that we need to be resourceful and creative in our approaches to teaching.
Terry and Karl go back and forth about his post, but I believe both have very good points. I believe that Karl and Terry are stating these facts in their comments. Karl insists on pointing out that without technology, educators are really unable to perform their jobs successfully (that is - ensuring the students are learning the most important life skills). Terry states that it is possible but it is also easier with technology although that doesn't preclude a teacher to being technologically literate to be successful. I believe that a teacher should be technologically literate for if no one else, their own sake and so they are not left behind in this ever-changing world. Regardless of whether or not you are successful at being a good teacher and your students learn anything, it is all about the students. I believe they should both decide to make sure the ultimate focus is therefore on the students and not about whether or not teachers should be technologically literate. The overwhelming question will be answered in the future as we realize what students are and are not able to do. I just hope we figure it out before it is too late.
Gary Hayes Social Media Count
As I go to Gary's social media count page and watch the numbers jump exponentially in almost every category, I cannot help but think about other things that are going on in the world. If we had a count for every plant the bloomed every second, or every insect that was killed, or other things that we cannot monitor even with technology, then I would be amazed. We are talking about billions of people in the world and although these numbers are moving at extremely fast rates, just think about everything else that is going on that no one really pays attention to. Every second of every day brings about exponential monumental change and technology is no different. I expect these changes to occur and am thus not that surprised by the numbers.
I must admit, these changes will have a definite impact on my career. Not because people are using technology all of the time, but because I cannot tell you what will be available for my students a year from now or even 2 years from now. I know what is going on now (today) but if things continue to change at the rate that they are, it could be possible that classrooms could become totally electronic and there may become no need for teachers. Yes, this is a long shot but hey, it could happen. I truly believe that no matter how much information is on the web, the connections that are made in a classroom and the social interactions students get in the classroom is worth the time invested there. A computer can provide the information to you but it is nothing like someone taking the time to sit down with you and explain to you some shortcuts that will make something that much easier for you.
A Vision of Students Today
This video is interesting but similar to what I feel like as a student in big lecture halls. The professors don't seem to mind what happens with the students as long as they make sure they meet their quota and enough students pass the class. Or do they care? Do tenured professors really worry about what you do and don't learn? Are they aware and do they mind that students are tweeting, writing emails, and are on Facebook during their lectures? As a student I would think that professors don't care as long as they are covering all of the material they need to cover. This is unfortunate because they are supposed to be shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
As a teacher, I look at this video and think about what I should do to make sure my classroom isn't like this. First and ultimately most important, I have never agreed with lecture halls and will never subject my students to this environment. How can I expect to connect with each student and give them a reason to come to my class if I don't even know when they are and are not there? I believe most college professors are more concerned about how much they are getting paid instead of worrying about which students learned. I began college in 1997 at Michigan State University and was taught more in my tutoring sessions than I was in the large lecture halls. While, I didn't have as much technology to keep me busy as I do today, I don't want my future students to say the same thing I just said. As an educator, we are responsible for the wealth and well-being of our students. All of the social media that is telling us that we have not been doing a good job (like the video); we need to pay close attention to. Our students are the people that will run the world when we get older. What type of world will that be?
My peer editing experience was a good test of how well I paid attention to Paige's post. The positive things about my peer editing experience were that I was able to make it through my classmates post and hopefully help them with future posts. I believe I was clear in what I said but I was a little confused on my peers stand on the overall subject. Unfortunately, there were a lot of spelling and grammatical errors that I really didn't expect to see at this level.
I decided to offer most of my suggestions privately because there were a lot of errors in my peers post and I didn't want them to be too embarrassed. I also chose to go this route because I believe I would want someone to do the same for me and give me a chance to correct those errors. Yes, I know these posts are public and some things cannot be erased. But, if we can help someone out, let's do them a favor so they can do their best and become better educators without embarrassing them.
"It's Not About The Technology"
Kelly makes several key points when she mentions how much we need technology. She first mentions that teachers must be learners and that is totally true. Her statement "Teachers today must be perpetual learners who are invested in their professions." reminds us that in every profession if you want to stay successful, you must keep up to date with what is going on. I worked in the marketing and advertising industry for 4 years and if we were not aware of all of the changing trends, my company would be out of business. Why should teachers be any different? We must remain aware of our surroundings and be sure we are preparing our students for a solid future.
Kelly also states "Learning will not look the same to all students or all teachers, but it must be the goal". Based on some studies and research about Sir Ken Robinson, I believe he was referring to teaching and learning this way also. He mentioned that their needed to be creativity in the classroom. This means that the way people learn will be different and creative. I have stated it before and continue to believe that the creativity that is needed starts with the teacher. It is from here that the students learn and accept that creativity in learning and teaching is OK. Students are then more apt to try new things to better understand the material.
Kelly mentions one very important fact at the end of her blog post. She states that "...it really is not about the technology" and I don't think you could have said it any better. Yes, the technology makes a difference but truthfully it is not about the technology itself, it is more about the user of the technology. If teachers and students are able to use the technology to help facilitate learning, we all succeed. It doesn't matter what sites they go to, what they read, as long as they are able to explore their interest. People will take what they like and use it to their advantage. With students this means that if they can find something on the computer to help them learn, they will use it and be better learners because of it.
Is It Okay to Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?
Long behold, we have come to the debate of the times. The trivial question of: Is it ok for a teacher to be technologically illiterate? can and probably will be debated for several more years to come. Karl Fisch made it resounding clear that he does not believe that it is ok for a teacher to be technologically illiterate. While I mostly agree with this statement, who's to say that what we believe is fact and what must be. Karl states in his post "Headteachers and Principals who have staff who are technologically-illiterate should be held to account." meaning that if their staff doesn't know how to use technology it will be bad for the end user, the student. I don't necessarily agree with this. I believe that the head teachers and principals should be accountable for their staff if the students aren't learning. Our overall goal as teachers is to make sure our students learn the material. Whether they use technology or not, their students can still be successful and that is what should really "hold water". As leaders of other teachers we should be encouraging our staff to seek out resources to help them be better teachers but if the students are learning and can demonstrate that they are, why does it matter if the teacher isn't technologically literate. The reason why I don't believe that it is ok for a teacher to be technologically illiterate is because I don't believe they are able to be effective teachers and be technologically illiterate.
Karl brings up a scenario where a parent gives an excuse for their inadequacies in their children. He mentions some parents would say "I was never any good at math either" or in a comment left for this post by Terry Sale she states that adults would say "I don't read" in the same way they would "say I don't smoke". He relates that these excuses as being the same as a teacher saying "I don't really get computers" and it being ok. It is not ok if the students' ability to learn is hindered by the teacher's ignorance and the teacher chooses to use this excuse as a reason not to help the student learn. As teachers, we are going to have to use whatever tools are available to make sure our students can learn the material. Does this mean we have to use technology? No, but it does mean that we need to be resourceful and creative in our approaches to teaching.
Terry and Karl go back and forth about his post, but I believe both have very good points. I believe that Karl and Terry are stating these facts in their comments. Karl insists on pointing out that without technology, educators are really unable to perform their jobs successfully (that is - ensuring the students are learning the most important life skills). Terry states that it is possible but it is also easier with technology although that doesn't preclude a teacher to being technologically literate to be successful. I believe that a teacher should be technologically literate for if no one else, their own sake and so they are not left behind in this ever-changing world. Regardless of whether or not you are successful at being a good teacher and your students learn anything, it is all about the students. I believe they should both decide to make sure the ultimate focus is therefore on the students and not about whether or not teachers should be technologically literate. The overwhelming question will be answered in the future as we realize what students are and are not able to do. I just hope we figure it out before it is too late.
Gary Hayes Social Media Count
As I go to Gary's social media count page and watch the numbers jump exponentially in almost every category, I cannot help but think about other things that are going on in the world. If we had a count for every plant the bloomed every second, or every insect that was killed, or other things that we cannot monitor even with technology, then I would be amazed. We are talking about billions of people in the world and although these numbers are moving at extremely fast rates, just think about everything else that is going on that no one really pays attention to. Every second of every day brings about exponential monumental change and technology is no different. I expect these changes to occur and am thus not that surprised by the numbers.
I must admit, these changes will have a definite impact on my career. Not because people are using technology all of the time, but because I cannot tell you what will be available for my students a year from now or even 2 years from now. I know what is going on now (today) but if things continue to change at the rate that they are, it could be possible that classrooms could become totally electronic and there may become no need for teachers. Yes, this is a long shot but hey, it could happen. I truly believe that no matter how much information is on the web, the connections that are made in a classroom and the social interactions students get in the classroom is worth the time invested there. A computer can provide the information to you but it is nothing like someone taking the time to sit down with you and explain to you some shortcuts that will make something that much easier for you.
A Vision of Students Today
This video is interesting but similar to what I feel like as a student in big lecture halls. The professors don't seem to mind what happens with the students as long as they make sure they meet their quota and enough students pass the class. Or do they care? Do tenured professors really worry about what you do and don't learn? Are they aware and do they mind that students are tweeting, writing emails, and are on Facebook during their lectures? As a student I would think that professors don't care as long as they are covering all of the material they need to cover. This is unfortunate because they are supposed to be shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
As a teacher, I look at this video and think about what I should do to make sure my classroom isn't like this. First and ultimately most important, I have never agreed with lecture halls and will never subject my students to this environment. How can I expect to connect with each student and give them a reason to come to my class if I don't even know when they are and are not there? I believe most college professors are more concerned about how much they are getting paid instead of worrying about which students learned. I began college in 1997 at Michigan State University and was taught more in my tutoring sessions than I was in the large lecture halls. While, I didn't have as much technology to keep me busy as I do today, I don't want my future students to say the same thing I just said. As an educator, we are responsible for the wealth and well-being of our students. All of the social media that is telling us that we have not been doing a good job (like the video); we need to pay close attention to. Our students are the people that will run the world when we get older. What type of world will that be?
C4T#1
Okonomiyaki
In this blog post I will invite you to meet Eric Langhorst in his visit to Japan. Eric is a 8th grade History teacher in Liberty, Missouri who recently took a trip to Japan in the 2011 Keizai Koho Center Fellowship Program. I reviewed his 5th and 6th post in the series in which he informed us about a traditional dish there (Okonomiyaki) and according to Wikipedia it basically means what you like and it is grilled. Eric shows and tells us how to prepare the dish and it looks delicious.
In my comment to him I basically tell him that it looks like an omelet to me with unconventional ingredients and that I would like to try it one day. I also asked him some questions about the dish to find out if it would be worth me trying one day. It wasn't much more to say on this post but it did look quite appetizing.
Baseball game featuring Osaka Orix Buffaloes
In Eric's other post he talked about a baseball game he attended in Japan. He gave a lesson that I felt would be a good history lesson for his students one day. He told us how the game compared to the American game and how the fans and mascots behaved at the game. It was most interesting to find that the teams had some American players and the pitcher was good enough to start for Osaka. They had some very interesting traditions, like blowing up balloons and releasing them during the middle of the 6th and 7th innings. They prices for the games were also reasonable although Eric and his host family got 3 seats for a ridiculously good amount of 1000 yen (about $8 in American Dollars).
In my comment to Eric, I told him how excited I was for him that he was able to attend a baseball game in Japan. I explained how I thought that his posting would be a good history lesson for his students. I explained to him how he looked happy in his pictures and it appears that the people there were genuinely nice. I also asked him who won the game since he had to leave during the 8th inning and the game was very close.
All in all, his post was very informative but also very interesting to read; just as a history lesson should be. I think he will be able to take these experiences and use them in his classroom and give his students motivation for wanting to learn.
In this blog post I will invite you to meet Eric Langhorst in his visit to Japan. Eric is a 8th grade History teacher in Liberty, Missouri who recently took a trip to Japan in the 2011 Keizai Koho Center Fellowship Program. I reviewed his 5th and 6th post in the series in which he informed us about a traditional dish there (Okonomiyaki) and according to Wikipedia it basically means what you like and it is grilled. Eric shows and tells us how to prepare the dish and it looks delicious.
In my comment to him I basically tell him that it looks like an omelet to me with unconventional ingredients and that I would like to try it one day. I also asked him some questions about the dish to find out if it would be worth me trying one day. It wasn't much more to say on this post but it did look quite appetizing.
Baseball game featuring Osaka Orix Buffaloes
In Eric's other post he talked about a baseball game he attended in Japan. He gave a lesson that I felt would be a good history lesson for his students one day. He told us how the game compared to the American game and how the fans and mascots behaved at the game. It was most interesting to find that the teams had some American players and the pitcher was good enough to start for Osaka. They had some very interesting traditions, like blowing up balloons and releasing them during the middle of the 6th and 7th innings. They prices for the games were also reasonable although Eric and his host family got 3 seats for a ridiculously good amount of 1000 yen (about $8 in American Dollars).
In my comment to Eric, I told him how excited I was for him that he was able to attend a baseball game in Japan. I explained how I thought that his posting would be a good history lesson for his students. I explained to him how he looked happy in his pictures and it appears that the people there were genuinely nice. I also asked him who won the game since he had to leave during the 8th inning and the game was very close.
All in all, his post was very informative but also very interesting to read; just as a history lesson should be. I think he will be able to take these experiences and use them in his classroom and give his students motivation for wanting to learn.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Blog Post #2
Did you know?
On the Did you know video I found several things interesting but have some differing opinions also. I will start with the items I agreed with and then move on to those that I have differing opinions about. First, they mention in the video that if you're 1 in a million in China, there are 1300 just like you. I agree with this statement but I also disagree. Every human is different so 1 in a million is truly 1 in a million, billion, or trillion. If you are speaking on someone's abilities, then yes, there are probably 1300 people that have the same ability as you. They also mention in the video that we are preparing our children for jobs that don't exist, using technology that hasn't been invented to solve problems that aren't problems yet. How can we do this? I believe we can only prepare for what we know but can adapt to any new situation. It is amazing that in 2008, "Bermuda was the #1 country in the world in Broadband Internet penetration". In 2008, it was 72.1% of the population and one year later it was at 75.2%. There income is also the highest per capita in the world and their major source of income is financial services for the international community and tourists services. (Source: http://www.internetworldstats.com/am/bm.htm) I wonder if there is a link between the internet usage and their income. Lastly, in the video, they mentioned that the total text messages sent & received everyday in 2008 was more than the total population of the Planet. If it were more than the population in 2008, just imagine where it has gone today. I believe that the amount of power needed to send the amount of text messages we send today is probably enough to power an entire country.
Now to move on to some things that I don't necessarily agree with. In the video they stated that by 2013, a supercomputer will be built that can exceed the computational capability of the human brain. This is by no way true. A computer, no matter how powerful it is, is just a machine built by humans. Yes, it may be able to process information placed into it by a human faster but without the human interface, the computer won't do anything. They also mention that in 2049, a $1000 computer will exceed the computational capabilities of the entire human species. Are we becoming "The Matrix" and computers are taking over the world and there will no longer be a need for humans? When this happens, the planet will cease to exist because it was made for humans.
Mr. Winkle Wakes
Mr. Winkle wakes is what I consider a common problem with the education system as it is today. Mr. Winkle has been asleep for 100 years and he expects things to be the same way they were 100 years ago. Why would it be that way? The world moves and things advance whether we are sleeping or not. Just because you are not familiar with the technology does not mean that it will not impact your life. There is no way Mr. Winkle could survive anywhere in that world except the classroom.
The classroom is where the problem has been but I have seen great changes happening as of late. In colleges, professors are moving to lectures where you don't need a pencil and a paper but a laptop to take notes on presentations that are already on your computer. Primary education (while still behind) has begun to adapt computer labs and lessons for children at the youngest age so they can try to keep up with society. Even back in my day in high school, we had to learn how to type because they knew we wouldn't be using pencils and paper but a typewriter (now computers).
Mr. Winkle did have one good point; that is that we should never forget where we have come from. Things are moving and changing so fast, it is easy to forget the mistakes of the past and the successes we have had. In 2008, we had one of the biggest stock market crashes ever but the world is continuing to operate as it did then. They say that we only use 10% of our brain capacity, imagine if that was cut in half or even more. With the onsite of technology, I have seen people going backwards and saying, why do I need to know this or that, I have a cell phone or a computer for that. Technology is great, but if not careful, you (humans) can let it take over and you (humans) will become useless.
Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity
The video on the importance of creativity is and probably will be contradictory to what society views as important for education. Sir Ken Robinson points out very interesting facts about education; one being that we don't really know what the world will hold in the future but we should be educating for it. As I mentioned earlier in this blog post, how can we teach for something in which we don't know? I truly don't believe we can. We can only teach based on what we know and let the children create the future. He also indicated that education was predicated on academic ability. How can we be positive that someone lacks the academic ability if we only afford them one way to express their academic prowess? Musicians, artists, and athletes are all creative and intelligent in their field of expertise. Who are we to take the creativity out of them and make us all the same? Why do that to a child? Let them be who they are while making sure they understand the basics. Not all students are valedictorians but everyone has a special God given gift to use and will if allowed.
I believe Sir Ken Robinson was trying to say that creativity is what is needed to not just shape the future, but also shape the world we live in today. Through creativity, technology was created and expanded upon and it can only continue to be that way if we allow creativity to remain in education. Sir Ken Robinson mentioned that kids will take a chance because they are not frightened about being wrong. He also mentioned that we are educating creativity out of people. This will ruin the world as the world was built on creativity. Take for instance, an architect. They allow their mind to work and their visions to be displayed in the art (whether it is a building architect or a system architect). Their creativity allows them to do something that hasn't been done before and they are often times rewarded for it.
I also agree with Sir Ken Robinson when he states that creativity is as important as literacy. He mentioned that every education system in the world has the same hierarchy. This is that math, science, and reading are at the top and creativity is at the bottom. As educators we have to be creative in the way we teach so the students can learn in various different ways. Why not allow the children to be creative in expressing what they learned? The main thing we want from the students is that they learn material, but we only want to test in one way. We need to allow each child to be creative in their learning while ensuring that they definitely understand the material. If not learned already, we will learn that everybody learns in their own unique way. If you can help them learn their material the way they need to learn it, help them. Yes, right is right and wrong is wrong, but maybe it is not the student that is wrong, but the educator in their approach.
Cecelia Gault Interviews Sir Ken Robinson
One key thing that sticks out to me after reading Cecelia's post and watching the video is that there is some confusion on the meaning of intelligence. Intelligence is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary online as: 1. the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying situations 2. the ability to apply knowledge to manipulate one's environment or to think abstractly as measured by objective criteria (as tests) (source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intelligence). To me, this is three different definitions for intelligence, thus the confusion among the 50 specialists on the meaning of intelligence. Because there is confusion on the meaning of the word, how can we say that one is or is not intelligent? Everyone has the ability to apply knowledge to manipulate the environment in which they exist. If they did not, they would not exist. Also, we have all had trying situations and have come through them. If we had not learn form that situation we could not grow and would probably be dead.
I would respond to Cecelia by first saying that educators need to change the way in which they teach. We are too focused on making sure all of the material is covered rather than making sure the students have learned anything. I do believe that the younger generation understands and uses computers much better than those of us that are a little older and as time goes on, they will understand the new technology better than those that are using the newest things today. I agree with Sir Ken Robinson when he states that everyone is creative. We are all creative in our own special way. We do this through our writing, speaking, dancing, singing, playing, and even learning. If you have seen Akeelah and the Bee, during the movie, Akeelah had to keep time (jump rope) to remember how to spell some words. It wasn't that she didn't know how to spell the words; she was just creative in how she went about remembering how to spell the words. So, creativity comes in all forms and fashions but it is creativity, nevertheless.
To make sure the students in my classroom have the same type of good education as Cecelia Gault, I have to adapt to the different ways in which the children learn. I will have to use technology, especially in math. I will provide visual learning opportunities, audio learning opportunities, and most importantly to me practical application of what is being taught. How can I expect my students to understand what I am teaching if I can't tell and show them how they will use the information that is being provided. I want my students to understand what I am trying to teach them for the future and not just for a test.
Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
Harness your students' digital smarts was a lot like what Sir Ken Robinson was trying to prove. Vicki Davis stated that she believes every student can achieve but basically not by pen and paper alone. I have stated that throughout this blog post because I believe it takes more than standardized test to truly test someone's understanding of a subject. Vicki customizes the material she has to cover to fit the group of learners in the classroom. This is one of the best ways to cover material so you make sure students are getting the most out of what you are trying to teach them. Vicki also uses the technological tools to get her students to become independent learners. Like she said, you shouldn't have to teach them everything for them to learn it. Some items must be learned by research as this is basically how life will go. We learn by trial and error. Vicki stated that some teachers think you have to know everything to teach it. Vicki stated it and I believe this is not true. We will often time learn from those we are teaching. Learning should come full circle and everything that we teach should be able to be taught to us by a student in a way that they understand.
Vicki has done a wonderful job of keeping students up to date with technology and making them very diversified. Her use of the web has allowed her students to connect with students all over the world. She empowers her students to share with one another thus making a stress free learning environment and it also helps to make the students want to learn more. Vicki believes that you have to turn school upside down. While you are at it, you can also turn it inside out and she has done that by inviting more students into her classroom from all over the world. If we as educators can approach learning from a let's see what's going on in the world and see how we can make it better point of view, we can bring creativity into the classroom and create the next Bill Gates. I want to be the teacher the student remembers for the rest of their life because I have helped shape who they are today.
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