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Monday, February 14, 2011

Blog Assignment 4

blog assignment #4


Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff. Please? By Scott McLeod

I really enjoyed reading this article. I thought it was well said and put together. This video was informing us that children are getting more involved with technology so quick now and it could lead to a bigger problem. For example, whenever I sit in front of the computer for so long doing my homework, I get headache and my vision is getting blurry when I look up. So, I think the main reason why I’m feeling that way is because I just sit still for so long and focus at one particular area and it causes me to feel dizzy afterward. Therefore, children need to do things outside of the house and stop sitting in front of the “computer” all the time! They need to be active and enjoy their childhood times while they can.
Dr Scott McLeod is one of the nation’s leading academic professional on K-12 school technology. He is also the director of the UCEA center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education. He points out some of the mistakes people tend to do when they are using technology. Many people think that children taking advantage of technology, for instance kids often use internet or technology for inappropriate purposes. I think it is portion true regarding to that issue but we cannot blame on technology itself. You can learn more information about Dr. McLeod is available at his blog. More information about CASTLE is available at schooltechleadership.org.



The iSchool Initiative
This is a video suggesting his student using Apple products. The reason Travis referring to this is because he wants to improve his school with technologies like apple products. I see his point that iTouch provides the faster and more efficient when they need to send a files or receiving emails with the assignments attached. Now with the click of a button, people can do most of their errands online. However, this video leaves me thinking, how can every student be able to afford an iTouch which costs at least $200? I must say that it’s quite convincing that Travis trying to make things a little easy for the students but as the result I don’t think all students can afford it. If the school system would have made this a requirement, this would make those of the students who don’t have this iTouch would fall behind and fail the course? Although, I am a little concern regarding to this technology uses, but Travis did point out a good point for those students who can afford an iTouch.
The Lost Generation

This YouTube video is very well put together. I really like the fact how the speaker reading the texts backwards of the statements regarding to our current society. Many people think that their job is more important than their family while other people think family is more important. If you see the video you will see what’s exactly what I’m trying to say. Here is the link to it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42E2fAWM6rA&feature=player_embedded.
Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir
In this video, there’s a choir of 180 people from 12 different countries performing this song called “Lux Aurumque”. After listening to it, I thought it’s just amazing how they could do something like this. The video is unique because this choir does not perform at the same place. They all sing it at different places. Not only that, it was put together very organize. Thanks to the technology that bring this to me and you whoever is watching this video. This proves us that technology can make a big difference, especially for people who can’t travel and with the wonderful technology; people can join one another and be created. It can be found at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7o7BrlbaDs&feature=player_embedded#at=29.


Teaching in the 21st Century
In this video, the author asking how the teaching technique is different now compare to the old days. Many teachers still uses the old styles, such as, chalkboards, pens, papers, and homework assignments. Also, the author said that with the old ways, it takes so much longer to find the answer to the question. Everything is book base. Like, looking up the books can take hours and hours to find the answer. Therefore, the author trying to point out some facts that we all need to use technology because it’s fast a convenience. Nowadays, with a click of a button you can receive up to thousands of things instantly! And with this type of technology we have now, we can find out facts and certain information very quick and simple. My reaction to this video is right…but no! Because we cannot teach children to just learn facts and information they need to know. We need to show them how and why. If we would have just let the children or even adults’ uses the technology to give us the facts then why would anyone care about going to school they can just stay at home and look up what they need to know. I think the 21st century teaching is wonderful with technology but we also need to connect the old ways and new ways together to provide a better helpful ways to educate our children.

1 comment:

  1. Hoan,

    This is the first time I have looked at your blog, and you seem to be very on task-- way to go!

    In regards to this post, you may consider looking at McLeod's last line in his poem and reread it through sarcastic goggles. I would at least discuss it with a classmate because you missed the target a bit.

    In regards to Travis's iSchool initiative, you should watch that video a bit closer too. He is trying to get school systems to buy into the idea that they should provide their students with iTouches instead of traditional learning tools like books because they are so portable and capable. Disregarding the cost factor, which he argues would actually save the schools thousands of dollars, what do you think about the initiative?

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