I enjoyed watching this YouTube video. I was not aware of most of the statistics that the video displayed. Learning about the 300 million Chinese that are learning English is astonishing. I knew that most countries speak their native language plus English. However, seeing a number like 300 million really makes you think about our own culture. Why do I not speak another language? I took three years of Spanish in middle and high school but I could not tell you anything more than what my daughter learns on television shows. Being a mother, I think it is important for my daughter to learn another language as well as my future students. In my own classroom one day, I want to have labels on common things for the students to learn some words in a different language. I also hope that this will drive the children to want to learn more, so one day they could communicate with someone of a different language. Growing up in a public elementary school, we did not have classroom computers or personal cell phones. I remember not having these things until my late middle school years. I certainly did not spend hours a day on SMS messages. With today's technology, over 80% of our students have cell phones, computers or access to both. It makes a difference in the classroom tremendously. I think it is great that our children have a way to not only use these types of technology, but also learn how to use them and perhaps use them more efficiently than some adults. It opens up a whole other world of opportunities for them. I do not know what the world would be like today without the use of the some of the things the "Did You Know" video showed. Google and YouTube are two websites that I usually visit several times a day. It is no wonder so many people search/watch theses websites a day! The things that you can learn from websites, are sometimes things you cannot find anywhere else. I am glad the classrooms are more technologically advanced than what they were when I was in grade school. The more different possibilities we can put in their hands to learn, the better they will succeed in life.
Mr. Winkle Wakes
When watching this video, I kept thinking of my parents and grandparents. I think they feel the same way about technology that Mr. Winkle felt after he woke up from his 100 year slumber. I even have to take a step back and take it in when I see something new for the first time. What is really interesting is to think about what the world will look like in years from now. I think we are pretty advanced now but I'm sure that in 100 years people will look back and wonder how we made it without the new gadgets of the future. The video made a valid point about schools. Mr. Winkle might have found comfort in knowing that the schools were the only thing that had not had any technological changes in 100 years but I think it is absurd. Children need to be taught to use the types of things that are waiting for them in the outside world. Every child needs to have access to a computer for learning purposes and for real life purposes. Classrooms need computers and they need computer programs. There should not be a dusty computer in the back of the class that never gets used. It needs to be used and it needs to be taught about. There are so many possibilities that can be opened through the use of a computer. Sorry Mr. Winkle, no more dust allowed!
Ken Robinson: School Kills Creativity
Creativity in the life of our students is something that should not be looked over. I know of cases all the time when a classroom gets behind or if there just isn't enough time, art or music will be cut out of the schedule. When I was in school, I remember only having music once a week and that was if the music teacher could make it. I don't even remember having art which could possibly explain the lack of creativity I have now. Being creative is important and that is exactly what Ken Robinson is trying to express in his video. He is a brilliantly funny man and I really enjoyed listening to what he had to say. Why do we find music and art not as important as the usual subjects? I am not taking away from the importunate of math or reading, it's just that think about the current top earning people in our nation. I am sure the majority of them earn their money from their creativity or their ability to excel in music, art, dance, and/or so on. Education allows our children to succeed in life. An education plus a creative edge will only take them farther. I can see where creativity can be stifled in the classroom. I get aggravated when children are told to color in the lines of a coloring page. Why not let them color the picture however they please? There are tons of ways we could get our students to express their creative sides in our classroom. Give them projects that allows room for adding their own touch to it. Assign art projects that coincide with the lesson of the day. The story Ken Robinson told about the famous choreographer is an inspiring story that should be told more often. I know of several students who have been medicated for ADHD when they just are simply bored with what they are given. They would probably strive just as well as the girl from the story if they were given a chance to take up an art such as dance or music in place of being medicated to sit still and pay attention in a classroom. As future educators, we all need to remember this video when we are placed in the situation to skip art or music class one day. Encourage your students to be creative as I will too!
A Vision for 21st Century Learning
The main argument in this video is about the way our students should be taught and how they should be learning. It is time to get away from "Burp Back" education as our professor calls it. It is beyond boring to sit in a classroom all day, read from a text book, and have facts shoved down our throats. It is time to start a new way of teaching. I think the best way to do this is through an interactive approach. Our students will actually learn the material if they have a more hands-on approach. We can stand and tell them information all day long and at the end of the day, it is gone from their head. But if we help them learn through a way that they are actually teaching themselves the information, it has a much better chance of remaining in their knowledge.
Harness Your Students' Digital Thoughts
Vicki Davis, the teacher in the video, is doing a great thing with her students. Those students will probably be more prepared for life when they get out of school than other students who do not have the opportunities to learn computer programs. I am glad she did not do all the work for them and taught them how to teach themselves. I think one thing that we sometimes tend to do, or at least I know I do, is do something for our students when they need help. Even if it is something simple, I have found that I just offer to do it for them. I know I need to stop this. Our students will not learn anything if everything is always done for them. Along with every other video I have watched today, it proves that our students will learn better by doing something for themselves. I have never really got the point of blogging, until now. I love the idea that these students are blogging to communicate with other students around the word. The students will learn things from other peers their age that they might not want to hear from adults. It is great the unlimited possibilities students have these days.
