The video, Did You know? 3.0- A John Strange 2012 Version, was a real eye opener about the world and its connection and dependency for technology. The video describes the way people use technology and how often technology is used through gut wrenching numbers. It is unbelievable how much the world uses technology. For example, according to the video 1,398,148 searches are made on Google every minute. That is incredible. I can't remember the last time I actually used a real encyclopedia to conduct any form of research. It's evident that Google is essential for every day living. If you have a question all you have to do is type it into the search box and hit enter and at a split of a second you have a page with tons of links with the answer. It is an incredible tool. When was the last time you used a book source to answer a question? I personally can't answer that question because it has been that long. Also in the video, it states that the students that were in EDM310 sent about 108 text messages a day. Personally I know that I send about 200 messages a day. I like to keep connected with my friends and family. Another mind blowing fact that this video brought to my attention is that the top jobs in 10 years and the technology that will be used don't exist yet!
As a future educator I am worried that I won't be able to keep up with the advancing technology that my future students will use. Technology is a wonderful gift. However, I believe that technology is going to turn the world's population into electronic zombies. Even though connecting with the world will be made easier than what it is now, I believe that physical human interaction will decrease. Technology, I believe, will hinder social skills. Everyday I see a child holding a tablet of some sort and is glued to it. I work in a public setting and most of the children I interact with are shy and don't know how to approach another person. Even adults that I interact with lack the social skills necessary to be productive in society. I believe that this problem is due to cell phones and social networks such as facebook. I hardly ever see a person without a cell phone in his or her hand.
Even though I have pointed out the negatives of technology there are also plenty of positives as well. With the use of technology, connecting with people around the world is made easier. This helps society in a lot of ways. It allows students to connect with other students within the country or to a student in China. This allows a child to become aware of his or her position in the world. It allows a student to become culturally aware. That is main key for people to get along in the world. All in all, technology, whether if you like it or not, is the key for survival.
Mr. Winkle Wakes
The video Mr. Winkle Wakes brings up a point that is relative to the video "Did You Know?" that if schools don't advance in technology, students will be left in the dust compared to the rest of the world. Mr. Winkle wakes up after a 100 year sleep not recognizing anything that is going on within the world. The only recognizable thing was a school. The video points out that the school lacked technology and the students were using paper and regular books.
The video sarcastically makes fun of how the school never changes and that it will result in students lacking the skills to be efficient in society. In contrast to my argument for "Did You Know?", students will not be able to function in the outside world if schools don't incorporate technology within the curriculum. Teaching our youth to be electronic zombies will give them the necessary skills to get jobs in our advancing society.
Sir Ken Robinson
Creativity is important for a child's development throughout his or her life. Sir Ken Robinson stated that "If you are not prepared to be wrong, you'll never come up with anything original.". Students are constantly worried about being wrong for the constant worry that they will be labeled as "not smart" and are afraid to ask questions. Trial and error is the heart of growing as an individual. Creativity is what fuels our brain. Without it the world would be very systematic and black and white.
Schools have taken the arts out of schools and focus to much on math and language classes. Yes there are students who thrive from these courses and they could be our future brain surgeons. And that is wonderful! However, the artsy students who are seen as weird because they are more emotional and read more into the beauties of the world are left behind. Creativity needs to be in the school systems so students can be free with their imagination and show the world that there is still beauty in it.
I love Pinterest! I have been a pinterest user for a year now and it really does help jump start your brain juices. It also helps teachers to come up with some new fun methods to help their students to get more involved. I love world history and I found a cool way to help students to learn about other continents. The activity is called "Continent Buckets". For each bucket is a continent. Within the buckets are facts or object from the bucket. I added a little spin on it for older students. For whichever bucket they choose from they do a small presentation on that object or fact. It is a great way for getting students involved!
Thorough, thoughtful, well done!
ReplyDeleteJust as Dr. Strange commented above, well done! One sentence I found humorous but also agree completely with is "However, I believe that technology is going to turn the world's population into electronic zombies." I even said something along those lines in my blog post as well! In the Mr. Winkle Wakes section, I also like and agree with your point made on how incorporating technology in the classroom can benefit students in the outside world. I like your outlook on Pinterest. Not being a frequent user of this site in the past, I did not realize the benefits of it. I always thought of it as a site only for girls to look at decorations, clothes, etc. But it is indeed very helpful for teachers and hope to one day enjoy it's benefits. Great blog.
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