Blog Post #2

Did You Know?

Technology is advancing more and more each day. In Dr. Strange's 2012 version of Did You Know? 3.0, Dr. Strange informs viewers the importance of technology to future students- students not just in the US, but around the world. The video states "the top jobs 10 years from now do not exist and will use technologies that have not been invented yet." I believe this fact stresses the importance that educators need to be up to date with the latest technologies. If teachers do not expose their students to today's technologies, those students could have a more difficult time catching onto the technologies of tomorrow. I believe this is something educators need to keep in mind. I understand (and fully agree) that students should know how to do tasks without the use of technology. For example, students should know how to spell correctly without fully relying on spell check. Also, students should know how to perform math functions without the use of a calculator. However, I do believe students should be aware of their technological resources. This is something I believe many old school educators have a hard time grasping because when they were young they did their work without the help of technology; however, the today's world relies on technology too much to not include it in the classroom. The fact is that sometimes people make spelling and mathematical mistakes, and in today's world, that could cost someone his or her job.

The majority of people in the US are exposed to computers and other technologies; "three years ago 93% of 8-18 year olds had a computer in their home", and that’s not excluding minorities. In today's society, it is assumed everyone has access to technology. As an educator, I believe it will be my duty to keep up with and expose my students to the technological advances of the day, however, not allowing them to not lose touch with the basic skills such as handwriting, math, ect. If they are technologically illiterate and have no concept of the basics, they will not get a job. What is the point in being an educator if I'm not furthering my students' abilities that will increase their chances of getting jobs?


Mr. Winkle Wakes

This video is about a man named Mr. Winkle who awakes from a 100 year slumber and finds the world around him has changed drastically except for the school system. I believe this video is a very comical interpretation of how our society is today. All aspects of the world are changing and accomplishments are being made that 50 years ago people never thought were possible. Medical advances are allowing people with conditions that were once considered fatal live long lives. Businesses are able to efficiently communicate with each other at the push of a button. However, with all these advances in everyday life, the schools are staying the same.

I believe a lot of this is because the school systems are not receiving the amount of money that would allow them to advance technologically with the rest of the world. I also believe that some of the educators in the schools aren’t confident in their skills with computers and other devices so they focus more on the skills they are confident with teaching. The government needs to invest more money in the schools so they can get the required technologies to keep up with the ever-advancing world we live in. Also, educators should be educated in how to use these tools and how to successfully teach their students how to use them.


Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity

In this video, Ken Robinson addresses his views of schools killing children's creativity. He states "creativity is just as important as literacy and should be treated as having the same status." He also addresses the point that the arts are usually at the bottom of the totem pole. I know in my school system the arts are very neglected. The schools are too consumed with getting perfect scores on state issued tests, so engaging in activities that allow children to use their creative side is put on the back burner. I believe this is an injustice simply because not all children are meant to be rocket scientists; some children are more gifted in the arts than they are book smart.

Robinson states that if you're not prepared to be wrong, you will not come up with anything original. I agree with this statement 100%. Too many children and even young adults are being told their wrong because their ideas do not match the ideas society thinks they should have. Instead of becoming their own person and using their natural creativity, they are being turned into clones that think and act like the world believes they should.

Children should get just as much time in sports, art, music, dance, ect. as they do in the subjects like math and science. If the school systems are going to get any better, I believe it will have to be because they allow each child to partake in activities that strengthen their natural strengths. I particularly believe creative writing in English classes are a great way to get students to use their imagination. This type of project can be used with students of all ages. For the younger kids, they can make up a comic book, and high schoolers can write short stories. However, teachers should let their students be free with their writing style. I know in high school I would rewrite my English assignments because I was afraid my teachers would think what I said was wrong, and I would receive a bad grade. Yes students should be able to write and be grammatically correct and convey their thought in a clear way, but their creative ways to convey their thoughts should be not tampered with.

One piece of work I really put my all in was in my senior AP english class. We had been given an assignment to pick a book and choose between three essays to write it on. For about a week I wrote my essay, but I was never happy with what I wrote. Writing comes easy to me usually, but I really struggled with this three page essay. I was so focused on doing it the way I thought my teacher wanted it done that I wasn't writing in a way that felt natural to me. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore and deleted the whole thing. I sat down and outlined my work over. I did it how I wanted to and immediately the task of writing this paper became easier. I actually enjoyed writing it and was a little sad when I finished (I know thats a little strange!). I turned it in thinking my teacher would probably rip it apart- he didn't. He really enjoyed it, and ask for a copy of it to share with his other classes. I will never forget that feeling of having my work commended like that. Too know that my views and style of writing was good enough to be considered the best really encouraged me.


I hope to be able to do that to my students. Each child is different and different is not bad. I hope to teach my children to embrace how different they are and not to change themselves to fit the view that the world gives. That to be successful you have to have a high paying job like a lawyer or a doctor. I want to encourage my students to excel in what they love- not what their parents or friends want them to love. I hope to spark a creative streak in all my students. Who knows, maybe I might teach the next da Vinci or Beethoven!


Pintrest

I love pintrest. Its one of those things that has something for everyone. I already use pintrest for tons of things from recipes to activities to do with my classes at church. It is a really helpful resource. I've seen quite a few ideas that I have used with my preschoolers to get points across and all have been successful. I can honestly say I wouldn't have thought of doing some of the things I've seen on there. Its always my first go to place when I need ideas on science experiments or fun worksheets.

I chose to follow Rachel Friedrich's Technology board. I followed her because her board has a lot of songs and stories. I love singing with kids so any song that I can get to help the students learn what I'm trying to teach is always useful.