Mr. McLeod has some good points in his article. Yes, I believe that technology should be used to help educate our students. I do agree that there are a lot of strange things in the world of technology so, I believe that it should be an age limit for certain web sites. I feel that facebook, twitter, myspace, and other sites similar to these should have an age limit. I believe that parents should monitor what their children view on the computer and control the settings for viewing certain sites. This is why its important for teachers and parents to make sure students know how to properly use the computer. I definitely agree with Mr. McLeod that their are some danger with this technology. Scott McLeod,J.D. Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Educational Administration program at Iowa State University. He is widely recognized as one of the nation's leading academic experts on K-12 school technology leadership issues.
The iSchool Initiative
The iSchool is a program that a 17 year old student(Travis Allen)created. He talks about how the school system is suffering with budget cuts, teacher lay off, and large classrooms. Travis has put together a presentation where he came up with the iSchool program. He feels that this app could be the answer to help transform America's Schools. Travis believes that iSchool will save money because their are no books, no paper, no copier machine, and no pencils being used. Yes, the iSchool sounds like it can be very helpful on saving the schools money. This idea may even work but it still cannot replace teachers. It sounds like a great way to incorporate technology in the classroom. The apps appear to be well thought out and easy to access. The ischool can be great but students still need to know how to read and write . The iSchool cannot be a replacement for school. If something happens to the ischool what will the students do?
Lost Generation
This video was very inspiring. At first, it made you think how the world believes that the next generation is lost. Then it should at the end how situations can be reversed from negative to positive. This up and coming generation do not have to be the lost generation. There is hope and they all can strive for a brighter future.
Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir
This video was amazing to see how 185 people formed a choir that has never met was just beautiful. The world of technology is definitely powerful. It was wonderful to see that people could come together from all over the world to form a choir with such a beautiful sound. It was just speechless.
Teaching in the 21st Century
Teaching in the 21st Century means that teachers will be filter for students. There are just some things that technology cannot do. Teachers still have to help the students learn and understand what they are reading. Technology is the future but it still is not enough to help educate students. It cannot help with everyday life situations. Technology cannot not help teach students good morals and how to walk in both worlds of everyday life.
Hello Kristie,
ReplyDeleteI have been assigned to comment on your blog this week. You make some really good points. I agree that there should be an age limit placed on websites, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Skype. This precaution will not only protect children from online predators, but will also give parents an added security system.
I also think that there are some things that cannot be taught through the iSchool. You mention the necessity of teachers present in student's reading education. There are technological devices that assist with the reading process (The Leap Pad), but they cannot teach everything that students need to know.
Technology is a powerful thing, but education must contain some "old school" practices that teachers students how to properly behave. There are many teachers who instill values, manners, and integrity into students who would never witness or be taught these qualities at home. Students still need the attention and care of their teachers.
Krista,
ReplyDeleteIn regards to your thoughts on "Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff," I love that you said, "I believe that parents should monitor what their children view on the computer and control the settings for viewing certain sites. This is why its important for teachers and parents to make sure students know how to properly use the computer."
Isn't everything potentially dangerous? Yes. But this doesn't stop us from letting out kids leave the house. Instead of keeping them under house arrest, we teach them to stay on the sidewalk, not to talk to strangers, and the rules of the road.
This very same principle applies to the internet!
Great post!
- Allie