Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Blog Post # 4

 Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff Please:
In Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff Please, Dr. Scott McLeod, an Associate Professor in the Educational Administrative program at Iowa State,  bombards readers with sarcasm surrounding his approach to the uses of technology and children. My initial thoughts were that he disliked technology and felt that it should not be utilized or made readily available to students. His approach was very insightful and effective. He manages to highlight the dangers associated with the internet while illustrating the positive freedoms it affords for learning. Technology allows children to be creative, share knowledge, think technically, and learn new information not available in textbooks or simple pen and paper.

pencil vs. Computer
In regards to the dangers surrounding the misuse of technology, parents, and teachers must ensure safety. Children must be taught effective methods for using the internet and performing searches. There are protective settings available that afford parents the assurance that their children are protected. It is also important to remember that children will be exposed to inappropriate information places other than the internet. When technology is used effectively it can be an exemplary learning environment. As parents filter TV, music, and phone use, they must also learn to manage computer usage, so their children will be ready for a future filled with computers.


The iSchool Initiative: 
This kid has some really good ideas! Although his idea is not bulletproof, he permits options to apparent problems in our school systems. "The iSchool Initiative" just goes to show that students can use technology to generate new ideas and embrace their personal creativity. Applications such as the graphing calculator, Notes,  Classics, Calender, and Email are great convenient tools for staying connected to students, teacher, and parents while saving money and resources. He even thinks to safeguard the network, so students will only be able to access school related materials.

 iSchool Initiative
The problem I foresee involves responsibility on the students behalf. The iTouch could save money, but  what happens if a student breaks it. Are the schools responsible for providing a new one, or should the child's parents provide it. It is also valid to consider the various school districts when addressing a plan such as this. The students who are less fortunate may not have access to the internet at home to do homework. When using these devices, WiFi is necessary. By utilizing this method of teaching, teachers will be required to depend on their students to stay on task. Otherwise, students will be playing with their iTouch or iPad when they should be paying attention to their instructor. Maturity is a must for a plan such as this.


The Lost Generation:
Just as we should have high hopes for our own future, we should most importantly have high hopes for the students we will be teaching. Their generation will be faced with statistics similar to those illustrated in this video. Teachers must show concern, value, and equality to each student. These qualities are great ways to build self-esteem and confidence to young people who are already unsure of their purpose and future. Teachers must facilitate positive behaviors and expect students to achieve to their highest abilities.

The technique used in this video was very clever. By reversing the wording, she implies that her generation will not stand for expected failure. They will have to fight hard to rise above the negativity and prevail. They will defy the odds and become the people they wish to be in life.

Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir:
I think this is an awsoem example of  the creativity afforded by technology. The internet brings live entertainment not easily accessible right into people's homes. The performance was amazing and I definitely give props to the composer who made a seemingly challenging task wonderful. *Applause*

How was school today? Go read all about it on my blog dad
"Teachers are no longer the main source of knowledge, we are the filter". This is a very powerful statement. Learning takes on a totally new concept. Instead of memorizing facts and regurgitating them, students must  understand how things work, apply their knowledge, effectively evaluate a situation, and create a solution. Students' concerns have changed. They are able to share information and address questions through blogging, podcasts, networking and using social networks. Teachers must consider involving techniques to ensure professionalism when using new technology. Collaborating and using researched information properly is something that teachers should incorporate in the curriculum. To ensure proper instruction, teachers must educate themselves and find resources to help their students.

2 comments:

  1. Hello again, Nicole! I'm back to your blog to post my C4C-2 comment for this week. Did you have a moment to review my comments on your timetoast project? I'm actually using yours as a visual aid to help me construct mine. So, we're "collaborating!" Dr. Strange would be proud! I ran into Michael Oakwood yesterday in the lab and told him that I enjoyed your group audio podcast. You'll find this encouraging...everyone in the lab heard me compliment your group. So, they wanted to know how to find the podcast. I took them to your blog. So, if I may speak on behalf of several several EDM-310 students, thank you for your posts! Your summaries for blog post 4 were clear and concise. Like you, I agree most with the statement, "Teachers are no longer the main source of knowledge, we are the FILTER." If you would like to know more about my blog and see a summary of my C4C posts, visit lloydamandaedm310.blogspot.com. Send me a request to follow on twitter.com. My twitter name is alloyd5. Good luck in the course, Nicole!

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  2. Hey Nicole,

    You made some good points about the "Don't teach your kids this stuff, Please?" video.

    In your post you said: ["The iSchool Initiative" just goes to show that students can use technology to generate new ideas and embrace their personal creativity.] I really think this is true because students will be more willing to embrace technology than old ways of teaching, thus sparking creativity.

    Good post Nicole. I really like your pictures that you chose to put on your post.

    Keep up the good work,

    Stephen Akins

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