http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o In the reading this time, I found this interesting. This video was one of the hottest hits on You Tube in 2008. Please watch and let me know what you think!
Okay, so I watched the Youtube video that Cindy P. recommended. It certainly describes the experience my wife had in graduate school with many of the students using their laptops for other than classwork. I know my stepdaughters are on Facebook very often, one in college and the other working at the college. I am suprised at how easy it is for fifth graders to find out information on famous people (the current social studies assignment) and how hard it seems to be for them to write summaries in their powerpoints. They are handy with the technology, but not so great at the basic skills of writing.
Comments from First Grade: This video makes us wonder about what we value. While students may not be able to do the "correct" kind of writing, they are writing summaries and posts constantly on social networking sites. We have to understand this technology because we need to incorporate this technology with our students. Ashley's students made a list of things that they want to change about their school and one of the things that they mentioned is that they don't have enough technology. If 6 year olds can recognize their needs... what does that mean for us as teachers?
The video reminds me of several college courses that I've sat through-especially at Auburn! The whole video boils down to what you know is best for the kids and "knowing your who". It is unfortunate that our legislators can't seem to realize this as well.
A Vision of Students Today reminds us of why the traditional model of education has to change. I actually feel like we (as in our district)are beginning to "get it" and are taking baby steps toward the changes needed to address the twenty-first century learner. Tapscott's number one suggestion for strategies that help us become better teachers in this digital age is to focus on RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN TEACHER AND STUDENT. Sounds like knowing our who is still most important. We need to "get that right first".
The video/book make me think back on a Calculus class I took at a community college in Florida. When it came time for our first test - it was an "open everything" test. Our professor told us that he didn't care if we took the test to an engineer's office and got them to give us the answers. He said the future of engineering was collaboration. It was no longer about everyone working on their own and having hundreds of thoerems and formulas memorized. It was about who you knew who could help you get the answers. This was a completely foreign idea to me, but I learned more math in his class than I did in any other traditionally taught math class.
WOW Locksley, (Robin), how interesting. It makes sense though. Collaboration is becoming more and more useful in our society. We definitely need to think about how we can teach our students to collaborate, not just in person but also ONLINE from home.
In watching the video, I liked the quote "I did not create the problems, but they are MY problems." It just reminds me that our children are facing the problems that they themselves have not created and that they are becoming frustrated because they will have to solve these problems. And they will NEED and HAVE to use technology to solve the problems.
I asked my class who had a computer with internet at home. Only half said they had a computer at home with internet connections. I feel as if I want to teach the students how to use a ruler without giving them a ruler to use and practice with. I am so grateful for the new technology we have received this year and the lessons from Shauna on how to use it. Now I wonder, how can we find a way to get the technology to the students at home so they will not fall behind?
I really enjoyed seeing that video! It really brought back memories for me as a college student. Sooo many times I sat in class not even listening to everything the teacher was saying. I felt that I could learn the information faster on my own. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed going to class, not for the learning, but for the socializing. My friends and I would talk back and forth during our classes. Teachers probably didn't like that very much, but we were still great students and did great work. The difference with today's society is that we are multitaskers! I loved the break down of the day in hours of what goes on. I totally get that because I am the same way. If I don't have about 3 things going at once I don't feel like I'm doing anything. I can do several things at once and not be distracted or feel overwhelmed. I also liked the quotes on the backs of the student chairs "If students learn what they DO... Then what are they learning sitting here??" That is so true! It's not enough to present the information anymore, students have to be doing something with it. Things in the educational system need to change, we aren't giving our students what they need when it comes to technology. I don't think its that some people are unwilling to change how they do things in the classroom, but that teachers AREN'T able to change it because of the resources they are given.
I really enjoyed the video. As a current college student, and the mother of a college student, I am experiencing how effective learning "digitally" can be! The Netgeners are certainly multi-taskers and this ability allows them to be interactive learners.
When I was in graduate school I had to attend a week long intensive. During one of the breaks, I was walking by another classroom, and all that I could see was the backs of students. Of course, everyone had their laptops with them so that they could "take notes" more efficiently. However, the number of students who were taking notes was in the minority. Most students were surfing the internet, sending e-mail etc. If graduate students are doing that, I can only imagine what students who grew up with more technology knowledge are doing in class. All this to say that, teachers must figure out a way to reach their students and speak their language.
This video was very interesting. The statements the students made really hit home and were quite shocking to me. We have moved into a digital age, and as teachers, we must be prepared to provide experiences to our students that move them along a path of success for the future...
The video was interesting. I can certainly see how it applies to my own children. But what about my students? I am grateful for the technology available to us as teachers, but I wonder if it is enough. We use the computers everyday, but how much more could we do if every student had access to one? I'm not sure how or what to teach my students so they don't get left behind.
Amazing! It is not just how do we keep up with technology anymore. . . Though the tech skills are a necessity and critical thinking to analyze all the information a must. We must still find a way to reach through personally. I hope the future of higher education doesn't lose the human touch. Education often needs a physical presence with smiles, encouragement, and inspiration.
I wonder if too many people are just frozen in place because (the ubiquitous) they don't know what to do next, don't think they can develop a plan that works for some/most, or things are changing so fast that keeping abreast of technology that can be used for education is too expensive or otherwise inconvenient. I agree with Stella that the personal piece of providing education should not be overlooked.
The video captured my attention with these words: If students learn what they do...What are they doing sitting here? The classroom of yesterday was teacher led lectures and papers and pencils. In today's digital age we as educators must become media literate. We must lead our students into the 21st century by increasing the use of technology which will yield a positive impact on student learning and engagement.
Okay, so I watched the Youtube video that Cindy P. recommended. It certainly describes the experience my wife had in graduate school with many of the students using their laptops for other than classwork. I know my stepdaughters are on Facebook very often, one in college and the other working at the college. I am suprised at how easy it is for fifth graders to find out information on famous people (the current social studies assignment) and how hard it seems to be for them to write summaries in their powerpoints. They are handy with the technology, but not so great at the basic skills of writing.
ReplyDeleteGreat video. Makes me think about our "motto" in Reading Recovery-"teach them from where they are"
ReplyDeleteComments from First Grade:
ReplyDeleteThis video makes us wonder about what we value. While students may not be able to do the "correct" kind of writing, they are writing summaries and posts constantly on social networking sites. We have to understand this technology because we need to incorporate this technology with our students.
Ashley's students made a list of things that they want to change about their school and one of the things that they mentioned is that they don't have enough technology. If 6 year olds can recognize their needs... what does that mean for us as teachers?
The video reminds me of several college courses that I've sat through-especially at Auburn! The whole video boils down to what you know is best for the kids and "knowing your who". It is unfortunate that our legislators can't seem to realize this as well.
ReplyDeleteA Vision of Students Today reminds us of why the traditional model of education has to change. I actually feel like we (as in our district)are beginning to "get it" and are taking baby steps toward the changes needed to address the twenty-first century learner. Tapscott's number one suggestion for strategies that help us become better teachers in this digital age is to focus on RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN TEACHER AND STUDENT. Sounds like knowing our who is still most important. We need to "get that right first".
ReplyDeleteThe video/book make me think back on a Calculus class I took at a community college in Florida. When it came time for our first test - it was an "open everything" test. Our professor told us that he didn't care if we took the test to an engineer's office and got them to give us the answers. He said the future of engineering was collaboration. It was no longer about everyone working on their own and having hundreds of thoerems and formulas memorized. It was about who you knew who could help you get the answers. This was a completely foreign idea to me, but I learned more math in his class than I did in any other traditionally taught math class.
ReplyDeleteWOW Locksley, (Robin), how interesting. It makes sense though. Collaboration is becoming more and more useful in our society. We definitely need to think about how we can teach our students to collaborate, not just in person but also ONLINE from home.
ReplyDeleteIn watching the video, I liked the quote "I did not create the problems, but they are MY problems." It just reminds me that our children are facing the problems that they themselves have not created and that they are becoming frustrated because they will have to solve these problems. And they will NEED and HAVE to use technology to solve the problems.
ReplyDeleteI asked my class who had a computer with internet at home. Only half said they had a computer at home with internet connections. I feel as if I want to teach the students how to use a ruler without giving them a ruler to use and practice with. I am so grateful for the new technology we have received this year and the lessons from Shauna on how to use it. Now I wonder, how can we find a way to get the technology to the students at home so they will not fall behind?
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed seeing that video! It really brought back memories for me as a college student. Sooo many times I sat in class not even listening to everything the teacher was saying. I felt that I could learn the information faster on my own. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed going to class, not for the learning, but for the socializing. My friends and I would talk back and forth during our classes. Teachers probably didn't like that very much, but we were still great students and did great work.
ReplyDeleteThe difference with today's society is that we are multitaskers! I loved the break down of the day in hours of what goes on. I totally get that because I am the same way. If I don't have about 3 things going at once I don't feel like I'm doing anything. I can do several things at once and not be distracted or feel overwhelmed.
I also liked the quotes on the backs of the student chairs "If students learn what they DO... Then what are they learning sitting here??" That is so true! It's not enough to present the information anymore, students have to be doing something with it.
Things in the educational system need to change, we aren't giving our students what they need when it comes to technology. I don't think its that some people are unwilling to change how they do things in the classroom, but that teachers AREN'T able to change it because of the resources they are given.
Randi
I really enjoyed the video. As a current college student, and the mother of a college student, I am experiencing how effective learning "digitally" can be! The Netgeners are certainly multi-taskers and this ability allows them to be interactive learners.
ReplyDeleteSally
When I was in graduate school I had to attend a week long intensive. During one of the breaks, I was walking by another classroom, and all that I could see was the backs of students. Of course, everyone had their laptops with them so that they could "take notes" more efficiently. However, the number of students who were taking notes was in the minority. Most students were surfing the internet, sending e-mail etc. If graduate students are doing that, I can only imagine what students who grew up with more technology knowledge are doing in class. All this to say that, teachers must figure out a way to reach their students and speak their language.
ReplyDeleteThis video was very interesting. The statements the students made really hit home and were quite shocking to me. We have moved into a digital age, and as teachers, we must be prepared to provide experiences to our students that move them along a path of success for the future...
ReplyDeleteThe video was interesting. I can certainly see how it applies to my own children. But what about my students? I am grateful for the technology available to us as teachers, but I wonder if it is enough. We use the computers everyday, but how much more could we do if every student had access to one? I'm not sure how or what to teach my students so they don't get left behind.
ReplyDeleteAmazing! It is not just how do we keep up with technology anymore. . . Though the tech skills are a necessity and critical thinking to analyze all the information a must. We must still find a way to reach through personally. I hope the future of higher education doesn't lose the human touch. Education often needs a physical presence with smiles, encouragement, and inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if too many people are just frozen in place because (the ubiquitous) they don't know what to do next, don't think they can develop a plan that works for some/most, or things are changing so fast that keeping abreast of technology that can be used for education is too expensive or otherwise inconvenient. I agree with Stella that the personal piece of providing education should not be overlooked.
ReplyDeleteThe video captured my attention with these words: If students learn what they do...What are they doing sitting here? The classroom of
ReplyDeleteyesterday was teacher led lectures and papers and pencils. In today's digital age we as educators must become media literate. We must lead our students into the 21st century by increasing the use of technology which will yield a positive impact on student learning and engagement.