Did You Know? 3.0
I thought that this video was both interesting and startling at the same time. It's hard for me to fathom that there are countries out there that far outnumber the United States in terms of population. I cannot even begin to imagine what it would be like to be in a country the size of India or China. I really liked the point they made in the video about preparing children for jobs that do not even exist yet. Time goes by so fast and we do not even realize how much is changing everyday. The fact that the most sought after jobs in 2010 did not even exist in 2004 is something that we do not always stop and realize. Another thing that I had not thought about was what did we do before Google? Who answered our questions? That point definitely gave me something to ponder about for a while. Everyday our lives are turning more and more towards technology. From the way we keep up with old friends, meet our future spouses, and what/who we rely for information. We have definitely become a society consumed by technology.
Mr. Winkle Wakes
When this video first started to play I was a little lost and a bit skeptical of what was to come of it. However, once I got into the video more I realized that it really had an important message. After 100 years of sleep, Mr. Winkle finally awakens to find himself in a world he no longer recognizes. He first goes to an office building and it overwhelmed by all of the technology surrounding him. In an attempt to find relief, he goes to hospital. At the hospital he encounters the same kind of turmoil and technology and he was not comfortable there either. After that experience he found a place that he finally felt comfortable. He was comfortable in school. In the school there is very little technology, in fact he only sees one computer in the back of the classroom collecting dust. The teachers still use chalkboards for their lectures. Mr. Winkle likes this setting because not too much has changed. This shows that we are not using enough technology in our classrooms. Children are being taught using the same equipment. However, once they get out of school and into their jobs, they will be lost. They will not be familiar with all of the technology surrounding them and how to use it properly. We need to prepare our children the best way possible for their futures. Classroom instruction needs to be kept up to pace with the rest of the world.
Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity
I thought this video was really interesting! It's so true, more and more kids are losing their creative edge at earlier and earlier ages. Instead of punishing children for being wrong, adults need to step back and learn something from the situation. Kids are not afraid of taking chances and being wrong. The older we get the more scared we become and for many of us that is a major downfall. As adults, we are afraid to take risks. We ignore that off chance that whatever risk we take may be the smartest thing we've ever done!
I especially loved the story he told about the dancer. It really opened my eyes up as to how flaws are seen in society. Today we are focused on perfection, everything has to be perfect. We are so quick to fix any flaw or imperfection that we do not give children the chance to be themselves. Had that same scenario happened today the doctor would not have though twice about putting that girl on medicine. If she had not been given that chance to be creative it could have changed her life forever. We can't say for sure how her life would have shaped up, but it is safe to assume she probably would not have ended up where she did. Because she was allowed to be creative her life flourished into a brilliant and successful career. It is imperative that we start encouraging more creativity amongst our students.
Vicki Davis: Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
I think that the work that Vicki Davis is doing with her students is great! It's nice to see children so excited about what they are learning. You can tell they are really enjoying her class and the opportunities that she is giving them. Through Digiteen and Flat Classroom Project, students are able to learn and experience with children all over the world. When you teach children beyond just pencil and paper methods, it allows them to have a hands on learning experience. I think that children retain a lot more knowledge when they are able to have that opportunity. Also, her classroom techniques are teaching the children the importance of working with one another to achieve something and how to figure information out for themselves.
Morgan, I think you understood the videos and wrote a lot of great information about them. In Did You Know, I also wondered what people did before being able to Google information. I think it is great that information is so easily accessible. In Mr. Winkle Wakes I liked how you stated that we don’t use enough technology in our schools and when they get out into the real world they will be lost. This is very true and we, as teachers, need to change that. In Sir Ken Robinson’s video, I liked how you talked about the dancer and how kids need to be creative and do what they love because it can turn into something really great and amazing. In Vicki Davis’ presentation, I agree that “when you teach children beyond just pencil and paper methods, it allows them to have a hands on learning experience.” I think it is much more fun and interesting learning something hands on instead of listening to lectures. Being involved makes the students know more about the subject they are studying and they, in turn, can help teach others.
ReplyDeleteMorgan,
ReplyDeleteThis statement is so true ... It's nice to see children so excited about what they are learning. You can tell they are really enjoying her class and the opportunities that she is giving them. The interesting part is that it also applies to older learners as well. Here in EDM 310 you are given the opportunity to learn this way and for the most part students have taken to this a run. Take this philosophy with you when you enter the classroom and you will see a big difference.