Don’t Teach Your Kids This Stuff Please
Dr. McLeod’s post on technology was very interesting. Sadly, I think there are parents and even educators out there that agree with his sarcastic points. If we don’t allow students to explore technology, then we are not preparing them for life. Being technologically literate is imperative for a student to succeed.
Dr. McLeod is an Associate Professor at Iowa State University in the Educational Administration program. He is also the Director of the nation’s only center dedicated to the technology needs of school administrators – the UCEA Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education (CASTLE).
The iSchool Initiative
Travis Allen provides a very good summary of how the current iPod Touch can transform the classroom. He believes that all classroom activities can be carried out through the iTouch. Cost savings for school systems and students are two main points of his argument for the iSchool. There is also an environmental impact of students and school systems not having to purchase textbooks.
Honestly, I did not know that the iPod Touch had all of those capabilities already. There are some apps that would be useful as substitutes or enhancements to traditional classroom materials. The graphing calculator and some of the textbook apps would be especially helpful. There are definite benefits of having teachers, students, and parents connected. I don’t think the iSchool can completely take the place of the traditional classroom, but there are many apps that can be used to enhance the classroom experience.
The Lost Generation
This presentation was very interesting. It reiterates the fact that we are in control and apathy will get us nowhere. The technique used was even more powerful than the message. It was very creative and really made me think about what the message was saying. I had to watch the video twice to make sure that none of the words changed on the reverse message.
Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir
This ensemble is quite amazing. The fact that people all across the world can collaborate and put together a piece like this proves the power of technology. This also reiterates the fact that we live in a global world and you do not have to be face-to-face with someone or a group of people to accomplish a common goal.
Hi Jared, I enjoyed reading your post and I would have to agree with you, yes the ipod can be useful in the classroom. But it can never take the place of the traditional classroom. Some students can't work independent, they need supervision and guidance that is provided by the teachers.
ReplyDeleteJared,
ReplyDeleteYour statement "I don’t think the iSchool can completely take the place of the traditional classroom, but there are many apps that can be used to enhance the classroom experience" is exactly how I feel about the iSchool initiative. While it seems quite beneficial and less expensive, I do not think all students would learn best from this. I personally learn by physically writing things out, and I definitely prefer reading from paper rather than from a screen. I strongly believe that technology enhances the classroom, but I personally would not enjoy having everything on a small iTouch.
I also agree that students must be technologically literate to succeed in school and life. Do you think that students should be monitored, or should we give them all freedom to explore?
Jamie Lynn,
ReplyDeleteI think that students should explore technology just as they do everything else in life. However, I think the exploration should be monitored so that they are getting useful information in their education journey.