homework assignment for 1/24/2010

A Vision of Students Today
This video was an eye opener because it shows people how much students go through each day and that it is not as easy as some think. I think one of the points the director was trying to get across is that technology can help with some of student's and the world's everyday problems but with technology comes along a lot of issues as well. It is a nice idea thinking that techonolgy could solve every issue but in my opinion it is not advanced enough and people are not ready to completely depend on it as well.
When you take some of the signs the students were holding up one was "I stay on facebook in class" this is one issue that can cause a problem when it comes to students in class and them not paying attention. Other issues that I think technology is an issue is because if we just depend on it and it completely crashes then what are we to do. I think the over all point of the video was to prove that technology is a good source and that it can solve a lot of issues and also that students go through a lot during each day.



It's not about the Technology
This author is discussing how technology goes hand in hand with teaching and how to be a successful teacher we need to be technology savvy. As I agree with this in a lot of ways and in some ways I do not agree with like blogging and twitter things like this these are things that people do for social networking and go along with things like facebook and myspace. I do think that understanding and being able to keep up with the latest things in technology is very important. I also think that computers should be used in schools.
I think that teachers should also be kept up to date on how to use computers as much as possible so that they are able to teach their students. This will be one of the hardest things since students are constantly learning new things and always advancing in the technology world more so than their elders.



Is it ok to be Technologically Illiterate?
The author of this blog and post is trying to get across one point that teachers and people who work in the school should be technologically literate. This post lists several different things that talk about how you need to be able to understand and have to ablilty to use technology in everyday use.
As I agree with the author that teachers and people who work in the school should be technologically literate I do not agree with the harshness of his tone. He states at one point that some should look for alternative employment and in my opinion I do not agree with that. I think that instead of making people feel like they cannot do something or that they should look for another job that the school should help them and offer training for the workers who are not as techonology savvy as others.

Harness Your Kids' Digital Smarts

I found this video to be engaging. This video has a primary focus on one teacher, Viki Davis. This teacher is highlighted because she is a pioneer in the education field. She is using technology as a teaching tool instead of a the conservative pencil and paper method; she is reaching out to students in a way they can relate to, like a teacher should.



I agree with this theory. Obviously technology is changing in a rate that we can not even imagine. And as future educators we should embrace this new technology, incorporate it into our methods of teaching, and give our future students an education that they can enjoy and remember instead of dread and forget.

Mr Winkle Wakes

Mr. Winkle Wakes is a take on rip van winkle- a man who wakes up after 100 year snooze and everything is different. The Mr. Winkle in this video passes by buildings that are higher than they were before. He becomes overwhelmed by today's technology and falls ill. When he gets to the hospital, he is surrounded by machines that beep, causing more anxiety. Finally Mr. Winkle wanders into a school, where nothing has changed, there he becomes relaxed---more at home.

I agree with this message. I believe that the old methods of teaching are not working anymore; our students are bored, we should be more aggressive and let go of our comfort zones. And if we are not careful and embrace this technology we will end up like Mr. Winkle---afraid to move forward.

Schools Kill Creativity?

The talk given by Ken Robinson, was extremely interesting. The talk was centered around how schools generally kill students creativity. That people who do not learn in an acceptable way will be forced to be ostracized in society and also school, and how we the teachers, also do this--we do not accommodate to their needs. We teach in one way and one way only.

I agree with this theory, every kid is different and hardwired differently, and learns differently. As teachers, we should accommodate to this, and embrace the fact that this kid is different and not ostracize he/she for it.

Did You Know 3.0?

The video "Did You Know 3.0?", by Karl Fisch is original and truthful. The style of the video was original by taking the song "Right here, Right now" by Fatboy Slim. The video then transitions into slides: containing factual information, an example of this would be China becoming the number one English speaking nation in the world. The video also shares information about how technology is evolving at a rapid pace. And if we don't learn this technology we will not be able to be prosperous in this technological advanced world.

To me, as a future teacher and as human being, it is important for me to learn this technology, not only for my future students, but also so I do not get left behind as well.