Thursday, September 22, 2011

Blog Post Assignment #5






Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff. Please? By: Dr. Scott McLeod

In this post by Dr. McLeod, there are a few points I do agree with and some I don't. We should shield our kids and protect them, yes, however some things they really should know about so they can also protect themselves when we can't. I do agree with parental controls on the computer and no phones at age 12, since the latter is just ridiculously popular now a days. As for the older population, high school and older, it is a privilege to have a cell phone; especially those cool ones they have out now. Personally I also do agree with kids needing to learn about new technologies so in the future it isn't a new concept. Many teachers that have been around since before computers may not agree, but that IS how many students get around today. Online school and classes are a huge thing now because they are convenient to our daily schedules and, if given the necessary material, can be easier than live classroom settings.

Dr. Scott McLeod is an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership Studies. He is also the Director, of CASTLE (Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education)at the University of Kentucky. Also, he is UCEA Associate Director of Communications and Marketing.






Travis Allen: iSchool Initiative and Zeitgeist Youngminds

In Travis' video he is a high school student with a visualization for future learning in a virtual classroom. He says that having an iPhone with everything you would ever need for school would save so much money around the world for schools. All it wold take is a $150 phone to replace pencils, paper, books, staplers, and other school supplies like that. The iPhone, he says, has everything you would need already on the phone and for free in the app store. Having your notes in the notepad, all the assignments on a calendar that you and your parents could see, a scientific calculator for free in the app store; an endless amount of tools for students to write papers, find e-books, and essentially have a virtual school.

I think it would be a bit more cost effective to have a virtual type of school, though the social needs would be cut out. Most people now have androids or some kind of touch screen smartphone that could easily be rewired to have access to these things. However, the cost of the networks would be different and some people can't afford these kinds of things. Personally I think it's a good idea and wouldn't mind trying it out at all. Having iSchool would be a new kind of experience for students of all ages, and might have a ton of potential in the future of everything going online.










Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir

I loved this video, and the fact that these people have the most amazing voices when they're all put together. This choir was amazing and they weren't even on a live stage. Technology has come so far, and the fact that these people can be a million miles apart but still be able to hoop up some headphones and go on a virtual stage is just crazy! I didn't even know people could do this kind of thing, and have amazing visual effects. The best part was it still kept to old time tradition with the red curtain and the introduction to the choir. As a plus, the music was beautiful and the way each person's screen came out when they did a solo voice was a lot like in the real thing. Technology like this is just astounding because of how advanced we have gotten.












Teaching in the 21st Century by Kevin Roberts

Teaching in the 21st century could mean anything now. Students can find their information on everything online  anywhere at anytime. In my opinion teachers will always be valuable in the future ad at the present, no matter how advanced technology gets. Who else is going to teach the students how to find the information and teach them how and where to use it? How else are going to know which sites to trust? Just because there is a green check mark by or it is recommended by 100 other users means nothing. Teachers will always keep learning new and innovative ways to help students actually learn and become engaged in figuring out how the newest downloads and activities online work. This affects me as an educator because it means there are other ways for the students to be educated with online, however teachers are an invaluable resource to schools. Whether it be a lesson to teach how to write with pencil and paper, or with an iPad and a finger tip, teachers will be able to help students use certain technologies in the real world and make them active in discovering more.

4 comments:

  1. Hey Katie
    I read all of your post and they all make a lot of sense. Which one was your favorite? I really enjoyed the virtual choir because it was so different. I think the most interesting video was the video about the iSchool. I think it's a great idea, but it will really put a lot of people out of work.

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  2. Katie,

    I see your opinion was that teachers will always be useful to show students how to use technology to find information. Do you think that the role of teachers overall will change from the key informants and fact bearers to just a guide to show students where to get facts and how to use them responsibly?

    What did you think about the sarcastic tone Dr. McLeod used in "Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff, Please?" Was it effective in conveying his point, or do you think he would have gotten his message across more clearly in another manner?

    Enjoyed reading your post!
    Bonnie Gaudet

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  3. It appears that you missed the sarcasm in Dr. McLeod's post. So did a lot of other students.

    Many students copied and pasted big chunks of material found in his About Me. As a result, we will have a class discussion about plagiarism, copying and pasting. You have avoided this problem. But I think you can benefit from this discussion.

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  4. Katie,

    Dr. McLeod was using sarcasm in his post to show reading how silly it is to be fearful of using technology. Try rereading with that mindset, and let me know what you think!

    Allie

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