Sunday, January 30, 2011

Blog Post #2

1.) Did you know? 3.0 (4:56) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL9Wu2kWwSY
 
                   This video was both amazing and very eye-opening shocking at the same time. Technology has changed so much over the past years that it is scary and at the same time, exciting to see what is going to happen in the future to come. With the advancement of computers, modern medicine, robots, and everything else that is being both improved on and invented, we might no longer need the use of books or libraries. Everything will be on computers and only a click away from access.
                  It is amazing at how in the past, the only means of communicating was by either phone or mailing letters. Today, we can communicate with anyone in the world by the use of texting, chatting online via chatrooms, video chats, google-talk, and a multitude of other ways. This video was truely amazing and was a real eye-opener to how much technology had risen over the years.




2.) Mr. Winkle Wakes (2:51) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm1sCsl2MQY

                   This video depicted an elderly man by the name of Mr. Winkle. Mr. Winkle was terrified of all the new changes around him upon waking, and could not handle such a drastic change in the world.
                   This video shows us that the education system has not changed in too many of a year. Schools are still using thr same old ways of teaching, and not enough technology is being introduced into classrooms. With the advancement of modern-day technology, and more and more jobs being created that solely focus of technology alone, it is imperative that schools get on board and change their old-school ways of teaching and advance to computers, smart boards, and fun and creative projects that have students actually thinking, not just copying off a board and tested the following week off what they learned or "memorized."
                  I don't know what scares me the most, technology advancing or the school system and its ways of teaching?



3.) Sir Ken Robinson: The Importnance of Creativity (19:21) http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html

                   Sir Ken Robinson is both highly intelligent and speaks in a humorous manner to get the audiences attention. He explains the importance of arts in classrooms and that how the education system is taking this away from our children. Facts after facts are being drilled into students heads, but the creative sides are being ignored and put on the back burner.
                   Sir Ken Robinson wants educators to be more creative with their students, expands their minds and bring the arts into schools more. The importance of subjects such as math, science, history, and english are important, but arts should be focused more in each classroom and bringing out the creative sides of students.



4.) Cecelia Gault (Young Student in Finland) Interviews Sir Ken Robinson (1:59) http://blogs.scholastic.com/kidspress/2010/09/breaking-creative-myths.html

                   A student by the name of Cecelia Gault had the opportunity to interview Sir Ken Robinson on questions about education and creativity in schools. She questions Sir Robinson on how the educational system can be improved. Sir Robinson explains that through better curriculum of the arts and sciences, and by being more technologically focused, more students can succeed.
                   Sir Robinson believes everyone is creative in his or her own way, and that it is not appreciated enough in schools. Intelligence is labeled in today's society, whether it be through "GPA" or "IQ" tests. In my opinion, I believe the GPA should be done away with, and that though intelligence is important, we should focus more on the skills that a student possesses, and their creative sides rather than who has the highest GPA. Intelligence in everyone is different, and I believe everyone is smart in his/her own way.



5.) Vicki Davis: Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts (4:49) http://blogs.scholastic.com/kidspress/2010/09/breaking-creative-myths.html

                   Vicki Davis is an amazing teacher. She goes all out in the classroom to make sure her students know the many wonderful means of communication, and programs that are available through computers. Students in Mrs. Davis class are learning how to interact with others all around the world, and to create blogs and chat with students.
                   Sadly, with the school system today facing budget cuts and various other problems, it will be difficult to bring technology into each classroom on a level that needs be. Vicki Davis classroom is a powerful example that technology had greatly improved, and that it needs to be focused more greatly on students.


4 comments:

  1. "I don't know what scares me the most, technology advancing or the school system and its ways of teaching?" A very interesting question!

    " Sadly, with the school system today facing budget cuts and various other problems, it will be difficult to bring technology into each classroom on a level that needs be." Will you be satisfied if your children have to go to schools which are not rich in technology? I am absolutely certain that I do not want it for my great-grandchildren! (Most of my grandchildren are in high school now).

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  2. Dr. Strange, I absolutely would not be satisfied for when (or if) I do have children and them not having technology in the classroom. I am a strong supporter of computers in classrooms, Smart Boards (which are fantastic!) and anything that would capture the mind of a young child and make their learning experience light up. I am just afraid that from what I hear a lot on the news, that with all the budget cuts here and there you hear about happening, that "technology" is going to weaken in classrooms and more of the same old methods of teaching will continue. Which I don't like the old methods.

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  3. I enjoyed your thoughts from the Blog Post #2 and the videos we watched. It is great to see the view of others on each video. I agree with you on Mr. Winkle Wakes, in that I don't know which scares me more, technology or the school system. Probably the school system though considering the financial problems and also just the fact that our educators are not technologically literate.
    Thank you for sharing your thoughts on these videos. I really enjoyed reading them.

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  4. @Olivia,

    While schools do have problems with funding, I see a lot of technology in schools that simply goes to waste so it's definitely not just a matter of money.

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