Harry is adorable! This video shows how much the dynamics of the classroom has changed over the last 20 or so years. I like the remark he makes about sitting in chairs all day being boring. Boredom is likely one of the top pitfalls for a student with declining grades. They are more likely to drift away into a daydream and miss the lecture if they are sitting still for hours a day. The fitness exercises is such a great idea for the classroom. With childhood obesity becoming an epidemic, this could be a great tool for all schools to use.
It is a good idea to begin introducing new technology in elementary grades. The early exposure will prepare them for more advanced technology in middle and high school. Allowing the kids to checkout laptops for those who do not have one at home is very beneficial to them. Using this technology, parents are able to download and view homework assignments along with their child. They can also share in the experience of a field trip they may have missed due to work. I wish this had been available when my kids were younger! I agree that parents, like Harry's mom, need to strongly encourage schools to make technology a larger part of the daily curriculum.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
Educator, Vicki Davis uses blogging to teach her students. She shows them other ways to learn besides the conventional, paper and pencil method. I believe this is a great and innovative way to engage and teach the class, while exposing them to the latest technology. I must admit I had never heard of a "Wiki", but Vicki proves it is an effective tool in the classroom. You don't see the traditional row of desks and notebooks. Instead, you see a classroom full of students with computers at their fingertips. This is the direction in which the teaching field is heading, and at a rapid pace. This helps you visualize yourself in this type of classroom environment once you graduate and become an educator.
By using Google and its components in class, she encourages her students to look up assigned terms for their meaning. She also asks her students to collaborate and work together, as well as brainstorm, which is so important for their independent studies. The teacher and students work together as a team, and the students actually teach her some new things! By using Digi Teen, the students can communicate and work with other kids all around the world. The Flat Classroom is a terrific concept. It allows the students to experience new trends of technology being used around the globe, while writing reports and creating videos. I think it is absolutely fabulous that these kids from a small town in Georgia traveled to the Middle East to the Flat Classroom Conference. It serves students well to learn about kids from other cultures in different countries. These strategies empower the class, giving them a global perspective of their peers. It ultimately produces confident, independent, students with a better understanding of the latest technology and the rest of the world around them.
By using Google and its components in class, she encourages her students to look up assigned terms for their meaning. She also asks her students to collaborate and work together, as well as brainstorm, which is so important for their independent studies. The teacher and students work together as a team, and the students actually teach her some new things! By using Digi Teen, the students can communicate and work with other kids all around the world. The Flat Classroom is a terrific concept. It allows the students to experience new trends of technology being used around the globe, while writing reports and creating videos. I think it is absolutely fabulous that these kids from a small town in Georgia traveled to the Middle East to the Flat Classroom Conference. It serves students well to learn about kids from other cultures in different countries. These strategies empower the class, giving them a global perspective of their peers. It ultimately produces confident, independent, students with a better understanding of the latest technology and the rest of the world around them.
The Importance of Creativity - Sir Ken Robinson
Sir Ken Robinson uses his wit and humor to point out flaws in the education system, and the impact it will have on our future. I agree that creativity is as important as education and literacy. As educators, we should encourage creativity at an early age. This would help develop children's interest in learning, as well as boost their self confidence and imaginations. Robinson makes a great argument about allowing children to make mistakes while they are young. I feel this will further enhance their ability to develop into a more creative and self assured professional adult. I never realized it, but he is right, the arts are always at the bottom of every educational structure!
I also agree it is important to nurture and educate all parts of the body, along with our brains. It is true that parents discourage their children from becoming musicians or artists. And today possessing a Bachelor’s degree is not as impressive or valuable in the job market as it once was. Robinson sheds light on the definite link between creativity and intelligence that needs to be developed due to the fast paced changes the future will bring. The story of the dancer/choreographer, and Robinson’s statement, “You have to move to think,” brings his entire message into perspective. The gift of the human imagination is indeed fascinating. We are all creative to some extent, and our children’s capacity for creativity should be explored completely. This video compels you to think of education in a totally new way!
I also agree it is important to nurture and educate all parts of the body, along with our brains. It is true that parents discourage their children from becoming musicians or artists. And today possessing a Bachelor’s degree is not as impressive or valuable in the job market as it once was. Robinson sheds light on the definite link between creativity and intelligence that needs to be developed due to the fast paced changes the future will bring. The story of the dancer/choreographer, and Robinson’s statement, “You have to move to think,” brings his entire message into perspective. The gift of the human imagination is indeed fascinating. We are all creative to some extent, and our children’s capacity for creativity should be explored completely. This video compels you to think of education in a totally new way!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Response to Did you know 3.0? Video
Wow, this video was eye opening to say the least. I knew China was ahead of us in many ways, but the fact about China becoming the number one English speaking country in the world was shocking. The most disconcerting fact was the statistical data showing that India's children are so advanced beyond American children regarding intelligence. We pride ourselves on being the superpower of the world, but there is something seriously wrong with our foundational structure. My question is, "Are the children of India indeed smarter, or is it that we are not teaching our children everything that they require to excel intellectually?"
This video also points out how rapidly the entire global job market is evolving. We must prepare our students for the changes of the future, so that they can prepare for their professional future accordingly. Technologically, we are ahead of our time, and we must take steps to inform our youth. Though, I did not realize just how advanced online technology has become, or the explosion of growth.
The piece regarding MySpace users being compared as the 5th largest country in the world really grabbed my attention. I had no clue! It seems in the last 10 years the Internet has went from being just a hobby for browsing and shopping, to a necessary way of life and much more. I use Google for every search I perform. Information is sent and received in mere seconds and is transforming every aspect of our lives. Voluminous amounts of information are transmitted at lightning speed today.
The population, as well as technology, will continue to grow at an alarming rate. Everyone, but especially educators, must somehow learn to teach children the key technical concepts they will need.
This video also points out how rapidly the entire global job market is evolving. We must prepare our students for the changes of the future, so that they can prepare for their professional future accordingly. Technologically, we are ahead of our time, and we must take steps to inform our youth. Though, I did not realize just how advanced online technology has become, or the explosion of growth.
The piece regarding MySpace users being compared as the 5th largest country in the world really grabbed my attention. I had no clue! It seems in the last 10 years the Internet has went from being just a hobby for browsing and shopping, to a necessary way of life and much more. I use Google for every search I perform. Information is sent and received in mere seconds and is transforming every aspect of our lives. Voluminous amounts of information are transmitted at lightning speed today.
The population, as well as technology, will continue to grow at an alarming rate. Everyone, but especially educators, must somehow learn to teach children the key technical concepts they will need.
Angie's Intro
Hello classmates,
I am a sophomore and my major is Secondary Education/History at South Alabama. I love history!! I also work at South's College of Allied Health, Dean's Office, in the new Health Sciences Building. I have 2 children; a son who is 24 years old, and a 17 year old daughter. I worked for years as a legal secretary before deciding to go to school to get my degree. I enjoy reading, watching movies, and surprisingly, going to school! You really do appreciate the concept of learning a bit later in life. I feel it is very empowering. I look forward to becoming an educator and giving all I have to my students.
I consider myself to be pretty computer literate. However, I now realize I have much to learn and look forward to exploring all of the latest computer teaching techniques in the class. I am confident they will enable me to capture the students' attention and keep them engaged in the class lesson I present. I have many friends who work in the public school system as teachers. They have told me that today's classroom is much different than it was even 5 years ago. Technology is moving at such a fast pace, and I want to be at the top of my game when I graduate.
I am a sophomore and my major is Secondary Education/History at South Alabama. I love history!! I also work at South's College of Allied Health, Dean's Office, in the new Health Sciences Building. I have 2 children; a son who is 24 years old, and a 17 year old daughter. I worked for years as a legal secretary before deciding to go to school to get my degree. I enjoy reading, watching movies, and surprisingly, going to school! You really do appreciate the concept of learning a bit later in life. I feel it is very empowering. I look forward to becoming an educator and giving all I have to my students.
I consider myself to be pretty computer literate. However, I now realize I have much to learn and look forward to exploring all of the latest computer teaching techniques in the class. I am confident they will enable me to capture the students' attention and keep them engaged in the class lesson I present. I have many friends who work in the public school system as teachers. They have told me that today's classroom is much different than it was even 5 years ago. Technology is moving at such a fast pace, and I want to be at the top of my game when I graduate.
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