Blog Post #3

Michael Wesch:  A Vision Of Students Today

 My college experience was very different from this video overall.  This video showed young students with laptops and unhappy faces.  It made college seem like a negative experience.  What else would these people be doing if they were not in school?  Sleeping, or working at a menial job?  Of course there are things associated with college that can seem negative to some people.  The experience is relative to whomever is experiencing it. Holding up signs of facts of how much they will be in debt and that some of their peers aren't in class are silly facts cluttering the brain.  I think that they should be happy they are in school and knowing that it actually does mean something.  If a student is holding up a sign about the cost of text books or the cost of a laptop, they may want to choose another avenue for their time and money.  Those items are required and a student knows the investment of an education.  It is an investment.
As stated earlier, my experience was different.  I did not have a laptop in class.  They were not around!  I actually did not even have a computer at home.  I had to go to the library.  And that was not that long ago.  1995 was when I graduated with the first degree. I think what was similar was some of the general classes.  They were large.  But as I became more specialized in my field of study, the classes were smaller.  There was also a good amount of lecturing.  I think it is acceptable to be given facts.  I believe a foundation has to be given in order to learn and independent learning will happen due to the intrinsic nature of SOME people. I do think lecturing is crucial in the classroom.
I would ADD to the movie some viewing of students in technical classes that would be more job specific.  I think showing a positive side of college would be an incentive to continue education and that it DOES pay off in the job market.

It's Not About the Technology by Kelly W. Hines

 The points that were made in this particular article about what learning and teaching will be like in the 21st century were interesting.  This author states that the prenotion is that it all be about computer use.  This is partly true.  Her thoughts are that teachers have to be learners first.  This is undoubtly one hundred percent true.  We have to continue learning in order to teach our students.  Self motivation is required.  Teaching is a serious field. Teachers hold the future of children. Teachers shape and mold students into whom they want to become.  If there is a teacher who has a negative way in teaching a student, it could possibly lead a student into picking another profession than what they really want to aspire to be.  Perhaps the difference in eating steak or hot dogs.
Technology can be sitting in the laps of teachers, but if some teachers do not know how to use the technology as Hines states, students will suffer.  Educators have to learn to use their tools.  She also states that learning and teaching are not the same.  All students do not all learn the same way. Teachers have to facilitate learning to students who may have a problem with the way the teacher is currently using.  Communication between the student and instructor is paramount for learning.  Critical thinking is essential for learning.  Creativity coupled with critical thinking is necessary to work out problems.  Teachers in the 21st century will be better equipped in the classroom but fundamental skills still have to be utilized.


 Karl Fisch: Is It Okay To Be a Technologically Illiterate Teacher? 


This is a response to the article "Is It Okay To Be a Technologically Illiterate Teacher." Let me start off by saying no.  There is no way one can educate children without technology.  Technology has opened up the world in an accessable manner that is just shy of a right click.  But it is only a tool.  Motivation to use technology is the key factor.  Knowledge in how to use technology is essential.

Karl Fisch, the author, states that not knowing technology is the same thing as being illiterate. There is no way to get by as some have done in the past with literacy.  The world has changed and so must we to keep up. Technology is linked to virtually everything that is done today.  It would be as if some still had no electricity.  They would still be in the dark.  


Gary Hayes: Social Media


As I watched the social media count change every second, I was amazed that so many things occur so quickly in a short time span.  I don't think of this information being relevant, but it actually is relevant.  What all this information means is that with technology, things change at a constant high rate of speed.
This means for my professional career as an elementary school teacher is that I have to keep up with technology, or I will be doing an injustice to my students.  I have to use some of this technology in order for them and myself to keep up globally.  I want my students to not only achieve, but to exceed!