A Vision of K-2 Students Video

The video helped me to understand how important it is that the American educational system must advance with the technology/digital age. Otherwise our students will be left without the appropriate skills and training needed to be productive citizens. I was impressed with the insights students had about the relavance of their education. One student said that the education she is getting today is not preparing her for the types of jobs that will be needed when she graduates. In fact, students are being educated for jobs that aren't even developed yet. That alone should be motivation to restructure our educational system. With state testing going on now, I thought it was interesting how one student held up a test bubble recording sheet and said, "This will not prepare me to deal with global warming, war, racism..." The reality is that our students are digitally "connected." This is a relevant tool of communication and learning for this generation. We cannot continue to expect students to ignor the power of digital technology in school. The lack of technology and ineffective instructional strategies is not only leaving our students behind but our society behind as well. I think we can encourage our students to "take the lead" when it comes to solving some of the probems with the educational system. We just have to be ready to listen.

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Permalink Reply by Brie Meschke on March 29, 2010 at 8:22pm

I agree with a lot said above. It once again reiterates the importance in reaching kids through technoglogy. I recently assigned a project to my sophomore World History kids creating a Facebook account for someone famous in history. They had to add groups, friends, networks, and personal background information for their chosen historical figure. They also had to write on another historical figures' wall. In grading them, I was totally entertained. I was cracking up. I also had two parent emails about what an awesome project it was. It wasn't me who came up with the project, but it did prove to me how important these type of assignments are. If this is the world that they are living in. It is our duty as educators to teach to them in a way that they can grow and learn. Brie Meschke

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Permalink Reply by Melissa Swatek on March 30, 2010 at 2:16pm

That sounds like a fantastic project. I would imagine the students learned a lot more from that than memorizing facts. Talk about personal relevance!

As for technology in general, I think it is incredibly important to integrate it into the curriculum. I'm taking two education classes right now. One that uses and incredible amount of different technologies, and one that uses nothing but powerpoint. Needless to say, I learn nothing from the powerpoints, and the rote memorization expected of us is helping no one. But the class in which we utilize all kinds of technologies and learn about educating through them, has taught me more about education than the other class could ever have come close to. It's thanks to the class with technology that I am able to look back over the material we cover in the powerpoint class and understand it.
Pencils, paper, powerpoint... in terms of teaching and learning, they are being left to the wayside. There is so much technology available to us now to learn through, and it is so much more personally relevant, it seems foolish not to take advantage of it. Most of these technologies that we can use to teach through are very useful in the business world as well. When used properly, I do not think technology will make us lazy , nor will robots take over the world, rather it can enhance our learning and facilitate deeper understanding than rote learning and note taking ever could.

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Permalink Reply by Brad Niessen on April 4, 2010 at 10:14pm

Thanks for reflecting on this video. What a powerful video and it gets the point across with no words. I am glad you enjoyed it and may it continue to motivate you!