Blog Post 4

This is my second time typing Blog Post #4. The first disappeared into thin air...just a bit frustrating.

"Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff. Please?" by Scott McLeod

Scott McLeod is an Associate Professor in the Educational Administration program at Iowa State University. Dr. McLeod is also the Director of CASTLE (UCEA Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education). Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff. Please? was written by Dr. McLeod on his blog in August of 2009. The post is a little confusing when you first start reading it. It sounds as if Dr. McLeod is bashing technology saying things such as don't let your kids use the internet or cell phone; pencil and paper are still available. He acknowledges the dangers of using technology such as porn, predators, cyberbullying, and cheating amongst students. He then ends his post by asking you to please not let your kids use these things because he IS letting his, and he wonders who will have the advantage in a decade or two. I have realized by this point (and so should you) that Dr. McLeod was using sarcasm throughout his post.

I remember having that same sarcastic attitude with my mom when she did not want me online or to have a cell phone. She of course was scared of things such as the predators. If you do not let your kids use technology, Dr. McLeod's will most definitely have the upper hand. Yes, some students use it to cheat. Yes, there are cyber bullies. Yes, there are thousands of porn websites. Yes, there are predators. Can these things be avoided?...Yes, by using privacy settings, blocking certain sites, and supervision. Our world revolves around technology. How can you withhold technology from kids, then expect them to be productive and successful later in life when their job and everything else they encounter requires technology? My mom has since that time had a change of heart. We have to pull her off Facebook. She has also learned to Skype so that she can keep in contact with my brother in India. Maybe it takes some people using it to realize how useful it is?....


"The iSchool Initiative"

This video was created by Travis, a 17 year old from Georgia. He makes the argument that our school systems are in major need of reform. The schools are suffering from massive budget cuts. Teachers are being let go and class sizes are growing. Travis asks the question, "Does technology belong in our classrooms?" My answer is, YES!


I personally love my iPod touch. Everything I need is on it. The iSchool is one of the best ideas I have ever heard. School system do have a lack of funds, and I believe this could really help. Textbooks, paper, expensive machines, ink..etc all would not have to be purchased. This could also really help our environment. Think of all the trees we could save! I already use a lot of the apps Travis mentioned: email, recorder, scientific calculator, notes, calendar, internet (which would need to be limited for students), and I even have 2 textbooks on it. I think it is wonderful! Teachers, students, and parents could be in contact with a few keystrokes. This is so much cheaper for students and the school. And, I completely believe GREEN is the way to go!


"The Lost Generation"
This video is interesting and the wording used is very clever! While watching it scroll down, it makes sense. When is scrolls backwards, it also makes complete sense and means the complete opposite. It would have taken me a decade to think of something like this. I believe a scare tactic was used during the first scroll through. It is also true, unless we choose to reverse the things mentioned in this video, this world could become an ugly place.

I also refuse to believe I am part of a lost generation. I believe our generation could be a very productive and life-changing generation. People need to quit living in the past. Yes, we are a quick-fix society. However, it is going to take more than one person to realize we are not lost, we just need to change with the time. If the iSchool in the movie above were implemented, again think of how we could be saving the environment. Schools are where we are going to have to start in order for there to be a change. And let me just state, no matter what this world comes too, nothing will ever come before my family!

If you have not seen this video, you should! 

"Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir- 'Lux Aurumque"
WOW! I honestly did not know the internet could be used for things such as this. 185 people who have never  met nor performed together can produce such a soothing and beautiful harmony. This is just too cool! I'm at a loss for words... I guess you learn something new each day! Watch this video and see the wonderful and beautiful things we can do with technology!

"Teaching in the 21st Century"
This video makes you think. I agree with all of the positions expressed in this video. Curriculum should be focused on facts, content, and skill. Students are rarely asked to create. There are so many things students could learn through blogging, podcasting, animating, planning, recording, designing, programming, and many many other tech skills. They will never forget that information because it is engaging. I loved the comparison between entertainment and engagement. The internet, iPods, and cellphones are not used specifically for entertainment anymore. Students can find limitless amounts of information whatever, whenever, wherever. I agree that teachers are no longer the main source of knowledge, they are the filter. They teach you how to use that knowledge. For example, I have known what all Google had to offer, but I did not know how to truly use Google until I enrolled in EDM310 and had it explained to me.

I definitely plan to leave my students with a question at the end of the day and have them use technology to find an answer. They then must explain and justify that answer. I also think porfolios are a wonderful tool for teaching reflection. E-portfolios could be made for each student where there work is stored. At any time they may look and see what progress they have made. It could also show their parents what progress they have made.

If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies... 

(author unknown)