Blog Post 2

Did You Know

The video Did You Know was a very interesting video. I find it amazing how much technology is changing everyday. Due to the advancement of technology jobs are changing and increasing. Before seeing this video, I knew technology effected the world, but not to such degree as this video points out. I find it shocking that so many people use online dating services as well as how many jobs one individual will have before they have even reached the age of forty. So to answer the question, Did You Know?, No I did not know. The number of facts Fisch and McCloud address in their video is extremely surprising.

Watching this video also makes me realize just how behind America is compared to other countries. Should America be as advanced as other countries? Do we need to start realizing just how much technology is going to effect us and how important it is in our lives?

Mr. Winkle Wakes

In Needleman's video Mr. Winkle Wakes he shows how technology has changed in the world over 100 years. When Mr. Winkle awakes he doesn't recongize anything. All the technology is new to him and he does not like it. He goes to a school to find that the school hasn't changed. They aren't using technology like the rest of the world. Mr. Winkle likes the fact that the schools are the same as he remembers. Is this what is going to happen in our schools? Are we forever going to be behind the rest of the world because we are scared to change the way we teach? I know there may be other reasons why technology isn't advanced in the schools as far as it is in other places, but is the main reason because educators don't like change?

We as future teachers need to understand that the world is changing. If we don't teach our children how to use technology in the classroom, is what we teach them really going to help them ? I am not completely against the "burp-back" way of teaching, but I do feel we need to use more technology in the classroom and teach the children how to use the internet as a resource to help them.

The Importance of Creativity

This video by Sir Ken Robinson is defiantly an eye-opener. I have never thought of creativity the way he does. Mr. Robinson states that creativity is individual, original ideas. He says children are more creative then adults because they aren't afraid to be wrong. I have to agree. We as adults have been criticized for being wrong or suggesting ideas with which others did not agree so now we go with what the world tells us. We keep our ideas in the back of our head instead of letting them be known. If we do not let our children express their ideas they will be the same way we are.

Education today does not focus enough on the arts. Before watching Mr. Robinson's video I did understand the complete importance of the art classes. I didn't see the influence these classes could have on a child. I never thought that maybe a child who isn't so good in math may be awesome in music. Creativity is very important and should be encouraged in our children. I hope as a teacher I am able to help my students bring their ideas out instead of keeping them held in.

Cecelia Gault's Interview with Sir Ken Robinson

In this interview Sir Ken Robinson again talks about how important the arts are in education. Our education system does not place arts as high as they do science or math. Mr. Robinson states that there needs to be a better balance between the arts and the other subjects. I agree that there needs to be more emphasis put on the arts so that the students will be encouraged to use their creativity skills.

This article also states how smaller, poorer countries are more advanced then America schools. Why is this statement true? Why as a country are we not using the technology we have to advance our schools as well as our students? Mr. Robinson said we need to use technology more in the classroom and also have a stronger link between the school and the community. I feel if we use the technology we have available to us that this we help us to become more aware and involved in community activities.



Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts

I this video we learn about what all Vicki Davis is doing in her classroom to change the way her students learn. She does all of her teaching through different forms of technology. She doesn't teach the students everything she wants them to know. She allows them to look it up online and research until they find what it is they need. This form of teaching allows the students to think on their own and be more creative about the way they do their schoolwork.

Ms. Vicki Davis allows her students to teach her as well as others new information using technology. I liked the way she said she is "turning education upside down." I believe her way is working. Her students seem eager to learn. They are able and required to use technology to work along side students from all around the world. This helps them to learn about other cultures. I am really expressed with what Ms. Davis has accomplished in her classroom and hope to one day all my students to experience some of the same activities her students are able to.