Blog Assignment 4

Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff. Please?:
     This blog post was written by Scott McLeod, who is an Associate Professor at Iowa State University and CASTLE Director. This post was a very tongue-in-check look at the way parents and people in the school system view technology. His post pleaded "don't teach your kids to read for the web..." and "don't teach your kids to write online." There is little emphasis in the school system on technology related skills. In the last line of the post he teased "can't wait to see who has a leg up in a decade or two can you?"
   In his blog he talks about the "evils" of the internet. Parents tend to not want their children on the internet because of things like predators, sexting, and other dangers of internet use. Parents can allow their children to learn computer skills in a safe setting, including the school system, and monitor children using resources like the internet. Parents and teachers need to realize that children can learn how to safely navigate the internet, and that banning technology all together will handicap skills that children need to develop. Exposure to technology in a safe setting will be very beneficial to students not only now, but in developing skills that will help them in their college careers as well as in the job market.

The iSchool Initiative (Mobile Learning):
     This YouTube video presented a very interesting idea that may hopefully catch on in the school system. Travis, a high school senior, presents the iSchool Initiative which he says can benefit the school in a multitude of ways just by using an iPad. If students used an iPad it would cut down on spending within the school system by eliminating things like pencils, papers, books, and more. It will also lessen greenhouse emissions and lessen the carbon footprint of the school system. It also allows students to keep track of a multitude of things on one device instead of having to carry around so many different books, notebooks, and other resources.
     I was astounded at the number of apps that students can already use to help them with school. Just by using one device students can plan, keep track of homework, record lectures, and use many other features to help them study. Students can even download certain textbooks to put on their Apple devices. Travis states that the average cost of a public school per student is $600, using the iSchool the cost would go down to $150. This is a very interesting idea, and I believe that it can work, a school system only has to be willing to try this novel concept.


You Can't be my Teacher:
     This video, by Darren Cannell, showed a small child asking if his teacher was going to be using the internet. The child stated that if the teacher could not use technology the teacher could not teach the children because they were digitally and technologically literate. This video brought up some very interesting points, including the fact that the children we will be teaching more then likely know much more about new technology and networking then we will. The child also stated that he would not want to learn from only textbooks, he wanted to learn how to use everything on the internet.
     This video also brought to light the importance of interactive lessons using technology. Using lessons like this will teach the students about technology and how to use these resources safely. Interactive lessons also help to keep the students engaged in learning and keep them interested. The more interested the students are and the more they know how to learn these skills and to remember the lessons. Also, the more students know how to apply skills the more likely they will want to learn because they know they can apply these skills in their lives.

Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir:
     This virtual choir was an incredible use of technology. In this video 185 singers sang without ever meeting in person. With technology they were able to combine these voices into a choir despite the long distance between performers. This piece came together beautifully and really opened my eyes to some of the things technology can do.
     This video displays the way technology can serve to unite collaborators and open our eyes to experiences that we otherwise never would have had. Technology can also be used by students for long-distance projects.  It can also be used in the arts to bring people together for projects like this one. I had never thought that technology would be able to bring people together in this artistic way.

Teaching in the 21st Century:
     This video, done by MathMadeSimpleVid, brought up a very interesting yet disturbing point. This point was that students now can access so much information on the internet that if teachers can only provide students with facts then they are of no use to students. With the multitude of information on the web, basic facts can be found anytime, so schools need to become more than just teaching students with facts. The teachers are no longer the main source of information, they serve as a filter to their students and direct them in the proper course for their individual goals. Teachers must also show students how to use and direct their resources to meet their goals.
      The new curriculum in schools should become more skill based instead of solely focusing on facts. Schools should also serve as a setting for students to be able to apply social skills and logic that will serve students throughout high school, college, and in their careers. Teachers should also focus on increasing creativity within the classroom and showing students positive outlets for their energy. Teachers also need to rethink the questions they ask of their students and how their students can find the answers to these questions.