Blog Post # 4

Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff. Please? can be found
here

Mr. McLeod's post was interesting. At first he wrote about a lot of bad things that can happen as a result of using technology but, if you really read between the lines he also writes about great things a student can learn as a result of having access to computers and such. Having access to technology has pros and cons, I just believe that the pros out-weigh the cons. There is simply no way that students can go through the educational process without ever knowing or being taught how to use a computer or other instruments of technology, especially in this day and age. Learning how to use a computer appropriately and safely should be paramount in teaching students/children how to use technology, so that we protect them from the negative aspects of the computer world. To sum it up, Technology can be great tool for students in education and in life in general.

The iSchool Initiative.



Travis Allen has some great ideas! He speaks of an initiative that will propel classrooms into the age of technology. His idea is to use an ipod-touch sort of device that is geared towards the classroom. He suggested several APS that will enable students to learn lessons, e-mail their teachers,and take notes. Travis also says that by using this system it will save the school systems money. For example, no papers to copy and no calculators or projectors to buy. In essence, he believes this initiative is cheaper than the traditional way of pencils, paper, projectors and such.

While I think that Travis has some great ideas. I don't know if it can be done. It is "cool" to see it on screen, but would it really be able to work? Maybe, if it was done at the high school level. By then students are more responsible and capable of understanding what one should do and what they should not do. We are talking about an expensive piece of equipment. I think that Elementary age students are not capable of handling that kind of responsibility. The initial cost to get started would be huge! I expect that the school system would have to bare that expense and I just don't think that it would be greatly received by the powers that be. So, I think computers will have to do for now, unless the school system can get their hands of some government funding to get the program up and running.

The Lost Generation



At first I was saddened for the younger generation. Imagine not having any hope for your future or that family would not be as important as money. How depressing it would be to get married and already know that you would be divorcing within 20 years.
We do live in a world of uncertainties, the outlook for some is bleak but, it can be turned around. People need to be more aggressive in the hunt for a better future. They need to take a stand for what they believe in, and not get complacent with life.
I like how she did the video. It was an awesome theme, she went forward in her life which was full of negativity. She then hit the rewind button to go back and change the course of her life, so she could make it better. If we could all do that, I am sure there would be a lot of rewind buttons being hit.

Jennifer Chamber's post and Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir

It's funny that Jenifer thinks she has become a blogger. I too, feel that way. Before this class I had a blog, but it was for personal use, and I wasn't that committed to it at all, only posting here and there. But, not really using it as a forum to put down my thoughts on various educational articles or videos. I guess that is what this class really does to students. It makes them really think about different issues that we will face as future educators. In essence EDM 310 makes us all bloggers as well as aids us in our journey towards becoming technologically literate.

Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir was amazing! Who knew you could make music like that and never be in a room with the other musicians? The sound was beautiful. It had great harmony and dynamics. What an awesome way to showcase such great talent over the internet. It is unbelievable that Mr. Whitacre could gather together that many clips from that many different people and fuse them together to produce that kind of sound. What is really cool is that he did it using the internet. The internet has come a long way from just chat rooms and games.


Teaching in the 21st Century.



Computers are terrific learning aids. There is so much information that can be found, all one has to do is search for a keyword in the subject matter you are interested in. It is true that students can be taught information, facts,formulas,etc. but, the question is; Can they put the information to good use? I don't really believe that only providing the previously mentioned items makes us obsolete. However, I do believe that we should be able to teach those things using different kinds of mediums, such as; computers,iPods, and iPads. I don't think that we are the main source for knowledge, there is so much more out there to learn and it is up to us, as educators to provide students with as much information as possible to make learning fun and interesting by engaging the students with new ideas and technology.

To teach in the 21st century, educators need to be technologically literate. We need to be open to new ideas and take the time to learn about new approaches to various subject matter, be it curriculum or life skills. Teaching is not like it used to be. Teaching is so much more than just plain old paper and pencil. Teaching has become a world of Smart Boards,Computers, and Gadgets and learning to use them appropriately is a sure way to keep students engaged so they actually learn the material that is being taught.