I watched one of the 21st Century Teacher videos. It was the first one on Dr. A's website. Here is the link: http://sites.google.com/site/drasresources/i-need-my-teachers-to-learn
It is a song about kids today, the way they learn, and how teachers should change the way they teach. The video stated that teachers need to continually be learning. There were examples given of how involved with technology kids are today. One thing that really stuck out to me was a story about a 3rd grade little girl. She wanted to bring her dad to show and tell, but he was unable to attend. He planned to Skype with his daughter's class since he could not be there in person. When the child attempted to log onto Skype, access was denied because it was blocked by the school. I was shocked by this. There are so many benefits to using technology in the classroom. The Skype show-and-tell is just one example of how it could be utilized in a classroom. It would be a great tool to use if a class was doing a pen pal project. Students could Skype with their pen pals and actually see them and talk to them face to face. I'm sure students would be very excited to do this. They could learn about other cultures by Skyping with someone who lives in that culture. These are just a few ways that one technological tool could be used in the classroom.
Children today are exposed to way more technology than I was as a child. They are playing video games as toddlers, using cell phones in elementary school, and creating their own social networking sites. In a world where technology is so prevalent in the lives of children, teachers and schools should be utilizing the many technological resources in the classroom. There are endless educational opportunities on the Internet from YouTube videos, to educational games, to resource sites. Some teachers are now using PowerPoint and smart boards to teach. I think these are exciting ways to teach children. I believe that we must use technology in the classroom and teach children how to utilize their available resources to be prepared for their futures. This requires teachers to continue learning about new technological advances and how to use them in the classroom.
Feel free to state your opinions and/or ideas! :)
Kim,
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed reading your Blog...and watching it too! You are so creative and I know you are going to make a great teacher! I think your statement "there are endless educational opportunities on the Internet from YouTube videos, to educational games, to resource sites" shows where your heart is at. We as teachers have more resources available to us today than ever before. We have to learn how to find them and then adapt them to our classes. It's going to be fun learning how to do this...but so challenging. There is such a tremendous variety of learning levels and abilities in our students. I know we have our work cut out for us, but the rewards are beyond worth! Keep up the great Blogwork!
I did not watch this video for my blog, however I watched it for yours. It was a fascinating video and I really enjoyed watching it. With education and technology combined there really are endless opportunities right at our fingertips. With the internet, smartphones, IPads, IPods, IPhones, and laptops, I think that once school systems and people around the world take advantage of and embrace the changing world and technological advances that are happening, we can take advantage of our opportunities and continue as teachers to be lifelong learners.
ReplyDeleteFrank, thanks so much for your comment! I agree that we've got our work cut out for us. Hopefully this class will help us. It definitely takes time to figure all this technology stuff out. I also hope that all classrooms will be equipped with the resources we need to incorporate technology into the classroom.
ReplyDeleteRebecca, thanks for your post as well! I know of a private shcool in my hometown that gave each teacher an iPad for use in their classroom. Not quite sure of all the different ways it can be used in a classroom, but I'm sure there are many! I also know they use iPads at Project Help on campus. It is a preschool for children with special needs that places them in classes with normally developing peers. They use games on the iPad to help with the children's motor and sensory development. Very cool to watch!
Hello. First I would like to say I love your fish game. I caught myself feeding away for a few minutes. Second, I love the fact that you were teaching in Dominica during your summers. I watched this video as well and used it throughout my blog and website. I found it very motivating and uplifting to get outside of the box. Being as you teach outside of this country, I know you must see first hand how blessed we are to have such technology here in the United States. I believe you would agree, we should take complete advantage of our technology offered. I liked your point about it being a different time and toddlers playing video games. I sat in the waiting room this week and watched a 3 year old take care of their "pet" on a video game. The interaction and complete imagination of that toddler was amazing. I believe as teachers we should catch on to what our students find interesting and run with it. It may lead to a different way to teach our curriculum on their creative terms. I enjoyed your blog and site all together!*
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Mallory. I enjoyed reading it. We are so blessed with all of the technology here in the US. The classrooms in Dominca have one or two blackboards and there are definitely not any computers. Some people do have computers in their homes but it is not very common. Most of the kids are easily amazed and entertained with our digital cameras and seeing pictures of themselves:)
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