Blog Post 8

"This is How we Dream"

     I recently watched Dr. Richard E. Miller's you tube video "This is how we dream". In the video we learn of new and interesting ways people are using the web, and the importance of collaboration between the Humanities and the Sciences. It is true that with this relationship great strides can be made toward a much more technologically savvy society.

     I find the fact that web bases such as Google Documents have made it possible to collaborate worldwide. People from all over the world can simultaneously work on the same document together. Technology like this opens the doors to a whole new world for the 21st century student. By working with other schools in other countries worldwide, students could hold a ticket to greatness.

     We must make this a viable option for today's teacher. We must make available the funds to invest in the technology and infrastructure to make this dream possible. If we are to remain a world leader we must stay ahead of the learning curve. There is much to learn and more to learn everyday. We must strive to always be learning. This is a dream we can achieve and I think it is one we must achieve.

"Carly Pugh's Blog Post 12"

     I invite everyone to check out Carly Pugh's Blog Post 12. The original purpose of her assignment was to come up with an idea that Dr. Strange should have taught in EDM310. What she accomplished was amazing. She made a playlist of you tube videos that not only described her love of writing but also made us the viewer think.

     I also do not believe that you tube alone can fix our problems, but it is a fantastic starting point. The videos we see on you tube make us think and cause our creative juices flowing. The idea of putting together groups of videos that move and inspire you is a very good one. I also truly loved the way Carly interlaced her playlist into her blog. In doing so, we as the reader knew why she she picked her videos and why they were important to her.

     If students were given assignments based on this playlist they would be encouraged to take charge and take the reigns of their own educational journey. Every tool that teachers can use to help students learn should be utilized. Who knows, they might even enjoy learning. That is our goal. We must inspire the 21st century student to strive for excellence.

EDM 310 For Dummies

     I recently watched the you tube video "EDM 310 For Dummies". In it we see the struggle of two students to try and understand Dr. Strange speak. It is a foreign language that no student can understand. Yet, once the students began to relax and learned to make mistakes, their intellectual journey began.

    I to have felt the frustration of the students in the video and wanted to give up. I could not understand the importance of technology and why I needed to learn it. I was reluctant to let myself try to do the work because I was afraid to fail. It is alright to make mistakes and through continued learning we all have grown as people and students.

Chipper

     I recently watched a video called Chipper. Chipper is a fictional character that has a very strange adventure. Because she doesn't want to work hard and do her best, she drops out of school and after many jobs becomes a trash collector. She then realizes that school is her only way out so she comes back.

     I believe the moral of the story is there are no shortcuts. We have to apply ourselves to succeed. We can't allow ourselves to settle for a second class education. We have to do better and not be afraid of hard work. Yes, EDM310 is hard but it is worth doing the work. We will be better people because of it.

Learn to Change,Change to Learn

     "The death of education, but the dawn of learning". I recently watched the you tube video "Learn to Change, Change to Learn". In it, the educators of today talk about the changes occurring in the schools. School as we knew it has become archaic. The Chalkboards have been replaced with smart boards. Textbooks will soon be found exclusively in e-reader form.

     Students will soon be their own teacher, and the teacher will be the guide. Group collaboration and technology based study will be the focus. Creativity will be able to prosper and students will be more able to achieve their dreams. With the tools that the 21st century student will attain, they will be more prepared for life after school.

     I feel like we are on the verge of greatness. We are on the right track but there are light years to travel, and a very short time to get there. We have to put our nose to the grindstone and begin the uphill climb. There is much to overcome but we can get there. There is no reason to not.