Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Blog Post 5



Don't Teach Your Kids this stuff. Please?

     Today I read Dr. Scott McLeod's blog post Don't Teach Your Kids this stuff. Please?. In it McLeod pokes fun at many of the stereotypical responses to technology. He speaks the truth with his sarcasm. So many people are afraid to embrace technology for so many different reasons. Yet, there is no reason to let ourselves fall behind in education. We must use every asset we possess to maintain our standing and begin to move away from the bottom of the barrel. Dr. McLeod is an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Kentucky. He also is the founding director of CASTLE, the nation's only academic center dedicated to the technology needs of school administrators.




     Today I watched Travis Allen's video The iSchool initiative (Mobile Learning). In it we learn of a new program thought up by a 17 year old student. Easily one can see the value that this technology could bestow upon the schools of American student. The money saved and the environmental impact reduced by such technology is amazing. Embracing a medium that the students already know how to use will allow this technology to acclimate faster.  

     I then watched Travis Allen's follow-up videoTravis Allen's ZeitgeistYoungMinds entry (Mobile Learning) iSchool Initiative. In it we see his dream moving into action. All over the country schools are embracing his ischool program. Through technology, students are being taught in a different and creative way. By allowing the student to be involved in teaching we have and will continue to see positive growth and forward thinking.    



Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir - 'Lux Aurumque'

     Today I watched Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir - 'Lux Aurumque'. In it we see an amazing combination of 185 voices formed into a choir. The funny thing is these people were not together and all the voices were recorded at different times. It is fantastic to hear and amazing to see where we are going with the technology that has been given to us. Mr. Whitacre did an amazing job and his work is an inspiration.


Teaching In the 21st Century

     Tonight I watched Kevin Roberts' video Teaching In the 21st Century. In it Roberts answers a tough question, "What does it mean to teach in the 21st Century?". The truth is that a teacher can never stop learning. Just as they ask their students, teachers must be prepared to give their all and do their best.

     Technology is changing the way students learn. Teachers must control how this new technology is used. We must allow these students to think for themselves, and prepare them for lives beyond the school fences. Life can be very hard, but the better we prepare ourselves for what is to come the better the outcome for us all.

     Like everyone in EDM310, I want to one day be a teacher. I want to do my best to give students the tools to succeed in all their endeavors. With the help of these new technologies we can teach an infinite amount of material in a shorter time. We can give these students a chance to rise back to the top in education.
   

     

2 comments:

  1. Christopher,

    Well done! I am so happy that you picked up on Dr. McLeod's sarcastic tone of voice in his post. Many people miss that!
    Overall, you had great things to say, but I think my favorite thing was when you said:
    "Just as they ask their students, teachers must be prepared to give
    their all and do their best."
    That statement rings true for all educators - it is a pity that some do not think within this paradigm. Hopefully, students like you and I can change that in the very near future. If we do not, well, the value of public education will continue to lose credibility.

    Thanks,

    Rebekah Lloyd

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  2. McLeod: You got the sarcasm. Many students didn't and interpreted McLeod's post literally. Very good!

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