Week 1 Post

Did You Know? 3.0

When watching Did You Know 3.0, I was astonished by the statistics that were addressed. It is very surprising to me how technology has increased so much over the past decade. Also, its not just the United States that is growing technologically; other countries are also increasing in number and relying on technology. The video shows that it only took four years for the internet to reach 50 million people! That is very shocking to me, but it also makes plenty of sense.

According to the video, if Myspace became a country, it would be the 5th largest country in the world! In relation with the amount of people gaining access to the internet daily, more and more people are signing into social networks. The social networks provide information to be shared easily and faster. This way of communication will most likely increase more and more as the years go on.

Mr. Winkle Wakes

In the video, Mr. Winkle wakes, Mr. Winkle wakes up after being asleep for 100 years. He visits a business office, a hospital, and a school. He notices all the technological advanced equipment that the business office has. The phones are ringing, there are faxes that are being printed, and computers that everyone is using. He doesn't recognize any of the new machines. He then leaves and visits a hospital. He notices all the machines that are helping people live and many other hospital equipment. When Mr. Winkle visits the school, he sees that nothing in the school has changed. The children are still sitting in desks and listening to the teacher all day.

This video shows how all around us, there are many technological advancements, except in our schools. If our world is relying more and more on technology, then thats what needs to be taught in schools. Children cannot be thrown into a world that is relying on computers without being taught how to use one. This video has a very great message.

Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity

This video is very inspriring to me as a future educator. I believe that every child has a different way of learning. Some children learn by doing and some learn by seeing and some learn by moving. Allowing children to learn from their creativity and build on it, is one thing I want to focus on as an educator. Like Robinson said, school doesn't focus enough on allowing children to be creative. I agree with the philosophy of giving a child a blank sheet of paper instead of a coloring book. Having a blank sheet allows the child to express what they are feeling and thinking.

There are so many standards that children are expected to reach in the school environment. I believe that sometimes just letting the children have a break from the normal lesson and having a time of creative movement, drawing, or thinking is important. I agree with Robinson when he said that children don't believe that their creativity is no good because it is not the same as anyone else's. I think so many children are scared to express themselves and as they grow older they loose the creativity that once was inside them.

Vicki Davis: Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts

This video was very eye opening to what is happening in other schools. I love the way that Davis teaches her students to be independent and take situations in their own hands. She expects her students to look up any terms that they are unaware of and to find new ideas everyday. The way they students learn is by finding out for themselves. I believe that you will learn more when you are being taught this way.

The major thing that I really took out of this video is that by empowering her students to be independent, they are learning more information than she knows. She addresses that the children in her classroom actually teach her new information every once in awhile. For Davis to show the children other areas of the world and different children from across the world, is a way to show the children diversity among the world.