Blog Post #2

Did You Know

     This week I watched Dr. John Strange’s YouTube video Did You Know based on Did you Know 3.0 by Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod. The video was a real eye-opener and needless to say it makes you think. The topics discussed and statistics shown in his video, I had no clue about. For example, the statistical fact that 25% of the population in India with the highest IQ’s, outnumber the entire population of America. This shows how far America is falling behind the rest of the world in education and how important it is to improve our educational techniques.
      Another mind blowing fact was “by 2025 the number of English speaking Chinese is likely to exceed the number of native English speakers in the rest of the world.”- Gordon Brown, UK Finance Minister, 2005. This is astonishing leading us to ask why the U.S. is not making a strong push in foreign language learning in our school system. Especially with the ever growing number of people who can hardly speak English living in the U.S. Being in education, it is our responsibility to use the accessible technology in preparing students for jobs that will be available for them in this growing world of technology and advancement.


Mr. Winkle Wakes

     Mr. Winkle Wakes Up was a neat little video by Matthew Needleman. It was a story of an old man named “Mr. Winkle” who has awaken after a one hundred year sleep. Once awakening, Mr. Winkle discovers much has changed while walking around in our modern day society. The advancements of technology in business and the medical field makes him sick. It isn't until he finds his way to school that he finds his comfort zone. Finding out much hasn't changed in the educational approach during his one hundred years of sleep.
     The video was to show how schools are not using technology in the classroom. Unlike much of the rest of the world where technology allows businesses to communicate globally, or how the technological advancements aid in many ways in the medical field. I do believe there is a major gap in technology and the use of it in the classroom. However, there are still advantages from the normal class lecture. A class like EDM 130 allows the opportunity to explore a different side of education with technology, which someday could be the norm.


The Importance of Creativity

     The video The Importance of Creativity by Ken Robinson expresses concern for the future of education regarding creativity. It showcases how the creativity of children is being destroyed by modern education. Mr. Robinson made a great point in how all people do not learn the same. Yet our education system tries to teach everyone the same way which hinders creativity. Mr. Robinson states “We are educating people out of their creativity.”
     As future educators, we should be just as concerned with creativity as we are with academics. Mr. Robinson stated “creativity is as important as literacy” and “if you’re not prepared to be wrong then you will never come up with something original.” As teacher, we should allow our students to show their creative side. I agree with Mr. Robinson and believe that schools should focus on the child as a whole not just a certain side of the brain. As he said “We do not grow into creativity, we grow out of it.”


A Vision for 21st Century Learning

     The video A Vision for 21st Century Learning was a very interesting view of what the future of learning could be. It argues that the “traditional” way of learning is very passive where students are filled with facts. It shows the need to be more integrated with their learning instead of lectures and book reading. As well as how technology could change the face of education as we know it.
     I feel that in education, we should incorporate technology appropriately to aid our students in their learning experience. There should be an even amount of lecture, reading, discussions, and technology to create the best learning environment. As we know, everyone does not learn the same way. I believe that with moderation of these teaching methods you would give each student the opportunity to learn in a way which best fits them. Isn't that our ultimate goals as educators? To be in touch with our students and help them excel academically and creatively.


Harness Your Students’ Digital Smarts

     The video Harness Your Students’ Digital Smarts showcases a new approach in education through technologically teaching. Much like our EDM 310 class, Mrs. Vicki Davis is incorporating technology in the classroom. She is the IT director and teacher in Camilla, Georgia who pushes her students to think deeper. In the video she states “students get bored with only paper and pencil learning. And only certain types of students will succeed.”
     Mrs. Davis makes it a more hands-on experience by allowing her students to instruct the class. She uses different terminology everyday, which she expects her students to know by “googling” or searching for it to understand. I think it was pretty cool how she has been able to allow her students to experience different cultures throughout the world by using online programs, while being in a rural setting in Georgia. I agree with her remarks on how she feels teachers do not have to know it all. Instead, teachers need to allow students to explore and use critical thinking skills to learn material on their own.