Did You Know?
For me, Did You Know? was a little eerie to watch. It starts off with statistics stating how large China and India have become, and that's only from 2008 when the video was uploaded! It's mind-boggling to think how much the countries could have grown between then and now. Having being fed that "America is #1" my whole life, this came as a shock to me. It does serve as inspiration to educate myself with what is happening in countries besides this one, which I think was the point of the video.
Did You Know? clearly portrays how fast paced and internet prone our world has become. Armed with captivating statistics this video reaches out to its viewers with a mission: technology is overpowering and in order to move ahead both in our personal lives and as a country we must push ourselves forward to learn the newest upcoming technology. Did You Know? embraces the phrase "knowledge is power" and left me feeling motivated to learn.
Mr.Winkle Wakes
Mr.Winkle Wakes
Matthew Neeleman uses Mr.Winkle's journey through a new technology savvy world to convey to his viewers the need for technology in the classroom. When Mr.Winkle awakes the whole world has evolved and produced computers. One of the new uses of the new machinery is life support. He observes people being kept alive by machines in the hospital. So if society can discover ways to keep people alive, why have our school not evolved to such spectacular heights?
In a comment below the YouTube video Neeleman states that he himself is a school teacher and while his point may have been exaggerated in the video, he is a firm believer that schools have not progressed the way they should have. I agree. I think that schools should offer more to their students than they currently do. As stated in the Did You Know? video, technology and the world is constantly evolving and it's our job to prepare every generation for the ever changing future.
The Importance of Creativity
The Importance of Creativity
Ken Robinson not only makes a touching speech about loss of creativity, but his sense of humor kept me in stitches! It is obvious that he not only enjoys spending time with children, but he respects them. This alone gives him my full attention and interest. He states that children's lack of fear of "being wrong" provides them with a key liberation needed to embrace creativity. Schools' effort to pound strict regulations about what is right and wrong diminishes students creativity.
Robinson also makes a point that educators typically only work on one side of the child's brain, so to speak. He asks why we don't teach dance everyday in the same manner that we teach math. After watching his video I was left completely converted to his way of thinking. I've always been a fan of arts integrated in education, but his points take it to a whole new level.
Cecelia Gault Interviews Sir Ken Robinson
Cecelia Gault Interviews Sir Ken Robinson
Ken Robinson again has remarkable things to say about education in general and way to improve the education system. He tells Cecelia that curriculum's need to constantly be changing as society is always changing. This relates back to the Did You Know? video which demonstrated just how fast the world can change in a matter of years.
In addition to his suggestions, he emphasizes the importance of technology and creativity. Robinson states that anyone can be creative and creativity can apply to anything, not just the typically thought of arts. The creativity he speaks of can be used as a supplement to the growing technology to bring forth innovative new generation of students.
Vicki Davis: Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
Vicki Davis: Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
Vicki Davis uses technology to connect her students to others around their world. She is expanding their view past their hometown and past America. I like that Davis believes that anyone can learn. I think that her positivity helps her students succeed in their computer courses. Davis feels that children learn best when they are exposed to computers and not just the typical "pencil and paper." She even goes on to say that she isn't always needed at the front of the classroom.
Davis' approach to teaching clearly allows her students to go above and beyond what is taught in a normal classroom setting. She evens states that her students have taught her things about technology. This progressive technique not only allows her to constantly learn(and thereby making her a better teacher), but encourages her students to do the same.
I agree with you completely about he Did You Know? video. It's crazy how fast the world is advancing technologically. And to think everyone use to say that we would be living like the Jetsons by now and to see those facts I am surprised that we are not. I also believe that it is very important that we encourage our young people to be creative. Being creative will boost their learning because they will be having fun while learning what we are teaching them.
ReplyDeleteMutual respect. That theme runs through all of these assignments.
ReplyDeleteThoughtful. Well written.
I agree with you, the importance of dance and other arts in the classroom has been grossly overlooked. Another point that you made about the Ken Robinson video that most people do not think of is the fact that creativity applies to many areas of our everyday lives. I also found the Did You Know? video a bit startling about how fast technology, as well as population, has spread. Good luck with your quest for knowledge!
ReplyDelete