Blog Assignment 4

Don’t Teach Your Kids This Stuff. Please?

Dr. Scott McLeod is an Associate Professor at Iowa State University and the Director of CASTLE, which is a program dealing with technology in education. He has won countless awards for his work with technology leadership, and blogs about it regularly.

In Dr. McLeod’s post, he informed us of the importance of technology in a humorous manner. I have to agree with his message, that we should teach children about technology, rather than keep them away from it. Even though technology can be dangerous when used improperly, we should not eliminate it from our lives entirely. If we embrace technology and use it the right way, we will be better off for it.

iSchool Initiative

This student from Georgia offered a suggestion on how to solve some of the problems in the school system. He proposed the iSchool Initiative, which would cut out about $450 spent per student. Every student would receive an iTouch that would basically be used in every class because of the numerous applications programmed into the device. Also, the iTouches will have approved websites, so the students won’t be able to stray from their work.

I think the iSchool Initiative is a wonderful idea and should start being used in all schools. I like the fact that it will save paper, especially because too many classrooms end up wasting unfathomable amounts of it. Furthermore, I think it’s a great way to get students accustomed to technology, and they will probably enjoy school more if they have modern materials.

The Lost Generation

In the first part of this video, the words being read were depressing. It made me feel like there were no morals or any hope for this generation. But when the words were reversed, it completely changed everything. It was inspiring and hopeful.

I think the technique used in this video was very successful in getting the point across. The reversal of the words made the message entirely different. It shows how a full 180 degrees can change something so dramatically. I also thought it was interesting how the words weren’t even moved around, yet they still made perfect sentences backwards. Overall, I liked this video and the positive way of thinking that was expressed in the end.

Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir

I thought this piece of work was absolutely beautiful! They all did such an amazing job. I wonder how long it took for them to put this together, since they never met. This presentation was performed perfectly and if all you could do was hear the music, you never would’ve been able to tell that not one of them was in the same room!

I think it’s so amazing what can now be done with technology. This was just done with the Internet, which I think is incredible. I never would have thought that something like this could be put together in this manner. Like I said before, they arranged a remarkable performance!

Teaching in the 21st Century

To begin, they are completely accurate that students can get information on any topic at anytime. Nearly everyone has the ability to find any fact they want anywhere they go. Resources are everywhere we go, mainly because now you can get on the Internet with your cell phone.

I think the video redefined “to teach” in the 21st century very well. They said that it is a teacher’s job to filter, which is appropriate because there is so much information available by other sources. But I think it still keeps its original meaning of actually teaching. Just because students can get the information elsewhere, it doesn’t mean that in reality they will go out to find it on their own.