Blog Post #5

Don’t Teach Your Kids This Stuff. Please?
Scott McLeod is Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Kentucky. He is also the Founding Director of UCEA (Castle) Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education. If you know who he is, it makes his sarcastic “plea” all the more sarcastic. I think he makes a valid point when talking about the dangers of “cyber-space” but then turns around and makes sure you know all of the positive things about technology. He of course believes that the positive far outweighs the negative.
I think this writing adds to the fact that we must teach the use of technology in a responsible way. If kids are not taught to use technological advancements, then perhaps they may be safe from the “evils of technology” but they will be far behind in the real world. Teachers should not bear the total responsibility of the wise use of technology, I was glad he addresses the parents, administrators and board members too.

The iSchool Initiative by Travis Allen
A very impressive idea initiated by a high school senior. It is very evident that he has done his research and is very knowledgeable about what is available on the itouch by Apple. Not only does he bring home the point that in this age of technology, communication between parents, students and teachers can be instantaneous but also very efficient. Tons of information could be available to students at the touch of a button. All subjects could utilize this device. As a teacher, it would be great to blog with students at any time to see what they are really learning and even feeling. Large class sizes do not allow for a lot of one-on-one communication.
He really sold his idea when he started talking about cost. Everyone in education these days are looking for ways to save money or utilize what little they have. Dropping the cost from $600 a student to $150 will hopefully get the attention of school systems. He also makes it clear that websites can be blocked and that safety boundaries can be put in place. I see that he kept the idea alive by the time he got to Kenesaw and has 20 people working for him. I think it is a great idea and I hope it is successful.



Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir
That was amazing! I cannot believe the quality of the sound and the harmony between 185 voices that were never in the same room. Some not even on the same continent!! I think this is a great example of how technology can link us together and how the possibilities are endless. Just listening to it was great but also getting to see the people singing was a plus. You could tell they were regular people doing what they love to do. They were given an opportunity to be a part of something much greater and some would never have gotten the chance to perform in front of people on a stage, but as they say, now all the world is their stage. Great example of how technology can en-“light”en us.


Teaching in the 21st Century by Kevin Roberts.
The video should be a must for all teachers to watch. The days of rote memorization, and just giving back answers are long gone. We live in an age now where we have got to teach our students to be problem solvers and engage in their learning. Shouldn’t teachers have been doing this all along? Maybe we could solve a lot of the problems our country is having today if educators would embrace the advances and limitless knowledge that technology offers.
He explains clearly how teachers are no longer the only source of knowledge for the students but they are the filter through which to obtain that knowledge. We must teach them how to responsibly use technology and engage them in seeking their own answers and then expressing themselves along the way. The statement about the laptop being the temptation but not the source speaks to the ethics and accountability that teachers (and parents) must still try to instill in their students. Effective teachers in the 21st century must learn to incorporate technology into their classroom and be willing to change along with technological advancements that are available to our students.


Reading Rockets Webpage
This is an excellent source for any educator or parent of school age children. Some of the great things offered on this website is the ranking of the top apps available for students and parents to download onto their iPads or Smart Phones. Reading Rockets has already done the research for you and given you their top picks for Reading Comprehension, Spelling, and Writing.
Their choice of videos and podcasts are great too. You can watch or listen to experts in the field of education, participate in Professional Development and watch video clips of actual teachers and students in the classroom utilizing various reading techniques. They have a lot of book suggestions and even author interviews for the kids to watch or listen to. It is a great website for beginning and veteran teachers.