View this video on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A-ZVCjfWf8
It is described by the videographer as follows:
"This project was created to inspire teachers to use technology in engaging ways to help students develop higher level thinking skills. Equally important, it serves to motivate district level leaders to provide teachers with the tools and training to do so."
Do you think it has fulfilled its purpose? Why or why not?
108 comments:
We are digitial learners?I am not convinced that the importance of using Technology like ipods,the internet(especially some sites)etc.,are that much of the answer to improving our childrens education! If it motivates interest then use it as a tool to get the real lesson accomplished-teach the children how to _think_ and to have faith,hope,and charity.Also who gave you that information on China?Chairman MAO?Peace.
Here's the place we need to get to as educators, quoted directly from the video:
"Students will use engaging technologies in collaborative inquiry-based learning environments with teachers who are willing and able to use technology’s power to assist them in transforming knowledge and skills into products, solutions, and new information."
I thought this was a great video. The children are speaking the truth. They are more technologically inclined today than most adults. If the teachers take the time to learn the technology and use in the classroom, the students will pay more attention and be much more interested in lessons than they may be now. Technology is growing every day and teachers need to be up to date with it. It will benefit both the students and teachers.
I thought the video was good and very informative. Also I found it interesting that kids all around especially in the younger grades know how to operate much more technology nowadays that some adults don't even know how to do. Kids these days are very technologically advanced and some kids are ahead of their time a little bit with technology. I agree with what the professor said, that we have to know technology to speak with them because technology is their kind of language. However, I don' think it should take the place of good instruction.
I thought the video was very interesting. It does amaze me that so many kids are so technologically prepared. I do believe that teacher's need to be able to get through to the students and it appears that technology may be the way to make this happen. I do feel that kids need this information to succeed. I also believe that if everything is geared to kids in this way, that the children will miss out on some other learning fundamentals.
Excellent point cweisman, I also agree that technology cannot take the place of good instruction or a good teacher. Then, it seems like everyone would miss out.
I agree with Kerry. Technology is growing every day and it is our job as teachers to try to keep up with some of this progress. It seems that both students and teachers can all benefit from this.
I agree with Chris in that chidlren these days are technologically advanced and some are ahead of their time with technology. It should not take the place of good instruction however it should accompany instruction.
I also agree with Lynne about the advancement knowledge children have with technology. It helps teachers teach lessons. It also makes the children more interested. Change is good, although many adults do not like change, it will be better in the long run.
I would hope this clip did do something for educators out there. It is hard to adjust as educators, we grew up a certain way, were taught a certain way, and now we teach the way we are comfortable with. Now we are asked to use an instrument that some of us are not comfortable with. But viewing the video it is necessary. As a math teacher I can use the example of when math classrooms did not have a graphic calculator. IMAGINE! Now, they have calculators, computers, and other technology to represent very abstract concepts.
Keri, I agree with you that in the here and now, yes we are in a technological time where students need this experience. I am fustrated that at a point, where in my district I am fortunate enough to have the technology and to use it, but time comes into play and a lack of knowledge on how exactly can I make this the more beneficial experience for my students. I think this video is a great springboard to get educators interested but then what do we do when we need more information on how to incorporate technology into the classroom
I agree with a majority of you about how the teacher still have to be involved in the classroom and it should not all be about technology. It all goes back to balance.
Since I first posted a blog to this video, my understanding of the opportunity that the electronic-technology tools provide the teaching profession has changed dramatically."...engaging technologies(as a teacher you can't argue how the computer is able to engage)in collaborative inquiry-based learning environments.." Professor Moroney was right on the money!!! I am now a teacher who " is willing and able to use technology's power.."Peace
This video clip was very powerful. Students today are much more technologically advanced than many of the adults in their lives. As educators, introducing children to technology in the classroom presents another way to think and learn. The critical message that this video clip was sending was that children need to be engaged. In a world where technology is taking over, and students are utilizing it constantly, we need to take this fascination with technology and apply it in their learning. I am a firm believer that people learn by doing. This was mentioned in the video, and I find it to be very important to think about as teachers. We have a responsibility to keep kids in school and to teach them to think. Technology is essential to achieving this goal.
The video clip illustrates the need to reduce the gap between the technological demand children and adults face daily and the narrow vision of some teachers or educative institutions to create learning environments connected with the real world. I realized how technology reaches so many users in such short time that I, as educator, need to orient my students towards a better use of technology.JM
Ida Elizabeth
This video illustrates the power of technology and the lack of it in the classroom. By integrating technology in the classroom, I believe many children will be more engaged and interested in learning. I believe this video has a powerful message regarding today’s learners. It is a great way to motivate district level leaders to provide teachers with proper training to integrate technology into their curriculum. Children today are very fortunate to be able to experience numerous advancements in technology. Teachers and district leaders should focus more towards the future and the tools and resources technology offers this new generation of tech savvy children. It should be embraced. Children will want to learn and have fun doing so in the process.
Danielle,
I agree that students today are much more technological advanced than most adults in their lives. I feel that it’s difficult for many adults to advance in technology because they aren’t familiar with and it wasn’t available to them growing up.
~Ida Elizabeth
I feel that this video helps to shed light on an important issue that is often overlooked by educators when planning today’s curriculum. Most of today’s students, and future students of course, are and will be far more advanced than their teachers when it comes to using technology within and outside of the classroom. As time progresses, however, this gap will eventually begin to decrease as many of these tech savvy students become future teachers. Until then, it is necessary that our educational leaders make honest efforts to create a more technologically advanced classroom. Allowing students to use their own devices, media, and imagination to complete various homework assignments should be encouraged. Furthermore, teachers themselves should learn to use these various technologies in order to learn how to properly assist their students when necessary. In the emerging digital age, as this video has shown, it is important for teachers to make accommodations that allow for their students to use various technologies in order to promote educational interest and growth.
I agree that students need to be engaged in order to learn. There are many ways to engage students including but not exclusivley with the use of technology. We as teachers and teachers to be need to be able to incorporate technology into our lessons. We need to be up to date with our knowledge of the various uses of technology that are available to us so we can better be able to reach our students.
The most shocking part of the video for me was the statistic that 1/2 of north american high schoolers will not graduate!! Something needs to be done to change this!. - Anne M.
Ida,
I agree that teachers and district leaders should focus more on the tools and resources advancing technology has to offer. If educational leaders are not willing to be educated and trained on how to use arising technologies, the generation of tech savvy students will either be limited in how they use technology in terms of education. However, if administrators and teachers take the time and effort to adapt these newer technologies into their lessons, the classroom will become a more exciting and interactive learning experience for all involved.
I agree with cweisman. We need to know and understand technology to reach the students. However, technology should be incorported into some lesson that still include GOOD instruction from the teacher. -Anne M.
This video has clearly fulfilled its purpose. While stating facts, it provides educators with ideas and technological devices to think about incorporating into the curriculum. While I think I am aware of all the technology there is in our society, having the different devices and programs represented in the video really forced me to consider it all, together! I think the best part of the video was the ending when the kids all held up signs that read “engage me”. Students don’t want to be taught to then want to learn together with one another. I believe to learn something, you must do it and that is the perfect way to engage students - have them use their creativity (which is too often suppressed) in and out of class where they can explore the various types of technology. A great example that we talked about in another was homework choice - students can do the assignment that will best help their learning abilities since we all learn differently.
i agree with anne m. there are endless ways to ENGAGE students and should NOT be limited to technology. we have this wonderful world full of ways to engage students, but its requires teachers to find the right thing! personally i think the most successful lessons are the ones the students can relate to!
What an interesting video! I thought it was more profound for the viewer since we had to read the cards and listen to the simple music. The statistics were crazy! It is sad and defeating to know that our students read a book for two hours a week and 16 ½ hours watching TV. Due to the sole reason that our students play video games and go on the computer for a combined nine hours per week, we teachers need to put on a Broadway show to keep these kids engaged. No wonder why every child held up the “Engage me” sign. As I watched the video, I couldn’t help but answer every question as both a teacher and a learner. My responses are also divided between pro-technology and (somewhat) anti-technology. There are some wonderful ways to utilize technology for our 21st century learners, such as listening to books on an ipod or digital storytelling software. I liked the sign that said, “I/we learn by doing.” If teachers were interviewed, I bet they would say the same thing. Even the first night of our class, Rickey told us that it is a rare case for her to be talking during a class since we will be “doing” the work all semester. It just seems hypocritical. ½ of kids today do not graduate high school. Is it really because most teachers don’t allow students to create something new with technology? It could be because some kids do not feel empowered or recognized by their teachers in general. Nonetheless, technology could bridge this gap of communication between some teachers and students. One student asked “What kind of education do you want me to have?” I want my students to have the education where they can take an active role in their learning and can apply learned concepts to life. If technology will assist me in reaching that goal, then I happily welcome it. It was addressed that educators expect kids today to be able to create, share information with others, remix, etc. I believe that students should be able to create successfully. After watching so much TV, playing video games, and exploring on the computer, wouldn’t the 21st century learner gain new ideas, formulate new plans, or develop new visions from these things? Instead, many students come to school and avoid seeing the connection between the digital world and school. We teachers need to open their eyes and allow them to make that connection. After all, we are digital learners.
I agree with you that since technology is taking over, we need to address this fascination. We could integrate something, anything into our lessons for unit projects. Something I strongly believe in is that technology is not the answer. Technology is merely a tool to engage our students. Kevin, I also think that technology is not usually considered when planning a curriculum. Is that why we don’t see teachers integrating technology into the learning environment? If teachers decided that technology would be used before the teaching occurred such as a podcast would be used after the Native American unit; digital storytelling software would be used in a reading unit; blogs would be used to compare explorations of crayfish, then there would be less of a way to “get around it.”
The simplicity of this video got right to the point. Some of the statistics were unbelievable! The creators of the video make it clear that students today spend a lot of time using technology for entertainment and communication. It only makes sense to conclude that technology would be a great motivational tool in the classroom. Students enjoy it! Although the video points out that 63% of teachers do not have their students create with technology, I believe it is due to the fact that they lack the tools and training. There should really be a change on the city or state level to allocate funding to technology in the schools.
-Jenn Granato
Kimberly S.
I was struck by the power of the simple video clip presented on youtube. The message conveyed by the university students was thought-provoking, insightful, and sadly true. As educators we need to not only question what drives our students, but what motivates and encourages us to excel in our field. Technology is both a "blessing and a curse", it largely depends on how it is utilized in the classroom, not how often. I am a firm believer that sometimes the very best of lessons are stemmed from the simplest of notions. As a Catholic school teacher and a Catholic school student for my entire academic career, technology has been a long-time coming into the Catholic schools. Our students excel in the "lost arts" such as grammar and insightful literature, rather than reading a passage and learning how to answer the questions to take the standardized test. A well-rounded, well-educated student will be more preapred for college than a student who breezed through classes taught by 80% electronic device and 20% teacher.
Kimberly S.
I completely agree with Jenn. Teachers often lack the proper training to utilize the tools they are expected to use. Who will offer the training ? SmartBoards are so complicated one could not possibly retain all the capabilities of such a tool in one session. What are the technological tools available in our schools ? Our districts ? The most common used in New York State ? We need further direction and assessment of how and where our technology is used.
This video clip was very interesting. As a sub I hear students say every day that the work their teachers give (espcially when there is a sub) is silly, busy work that doesn't teach them anything. As a teacher I feel that sometimes we're programed to say the thing we once hated to hear, "You have to do it because this is school and you do work here" or "Do it because I/we/they said so". It is important to reach kids today, as well as be prepared to reach our students who are not even born yet.
-Jamie-
I agree with Lynn and other comments when we say that students need to learn in different ways that engage technology in order to succeed. Also, teachers need to be prepared to teach students in ways that incorporate technology.
-Jamie-
Joanne
I agree with Professor Moroney that this is the place that educators need to be. This is where the kids are and we want them to learn. Technology is the way of todays students. As teachers we really must learn how to educate children with the use of technology.
Joanne V.
I feel that the video is very real and gets a strong point across. I believe that it allows students to learn material in a different way as well as motivates the students. I mean if technology can really enhance our social aspects on life, I don't understand how it can't enhance our education.
I completely agree with Jenn and Kimberly S. on how little most educators really use technology in their classrooms. We have grown up in a world where technology nearly does everything for us in most fields of work except for education. It allows the students to engage the new material they are learning in their classrooms each day in a different manner.
I agree with Jenn. The state should take some responsibilty in allocating funding for technology and most importantly, technology training.
The digital learners in today's classrooms need to be entertained at all times because they do not have the attention span that their parents had due to the creation of this wonderful technology. I agree that students need to "Be Engaged" and "Learn while doing"....but it does not have to be solely focused on technology. A student can be engaged through the use of field trips, outdoor habitats, collaboration with other classes (both the same age and helping younger grades), class skits, making materials, and through the old-fashioned way of lecturing a lesson. I do agree that technology should be utilized within the classroom, but it is disheartening to learn that some of the computers in my district are years old, as is the software. Also, the fact that while there are 20-25 children in the classroom, there are normally only 4-6 computers in the classrooms. Even though there is a computer lab in each school, it is hard to schedule lessons when the 75 other classes also need to use the lab.
Christine OBrien
I agree with Kimberly's comments that children still need to learn the "lost arts" of grammar and literature.
I also agree with cweisman's thoughts that technology cannot take the place of a good teacher or instruction. What does the teacher do if the computer crashes, or if another class was double booked for the computer lab at the same time? Hopefully, he/she has a backup plan!!
Also, Kevin's comments that students should be allowed to use technology to complete their homework is a valid comment. Perhaps, the girl who had to write her spelling words three times each could type them instead!! I still believe that repetition is important when learning some lessons.
Christine OBrien
I agree with most of the ideas floating around that technology must be addressed to try and relate as much info as possible. But, I think we should be wary of living too much in the digital world and not the real world. Having kids get outside experiences will be the most influential and rewarding memories they have. Blogs, internet searches and the like will never replace seeing the world and having real life experiences.
After reading and viewing the video I agree that we as teachers need to be more savy with technology so we can enhance the classroom lessons. I also feel that there is no replacement of the real world as Pat put it. Students still need to live life outside a classroom and technology. I also believe that there is to much emphasis on technology and not enough on education in general. Let's test everyone by filling in the bubbles so digitally we can keep tract of today's students academic abilities. Are we really getting a true picture of ALL our students today? But todays students have a hard time dealing with life without their gadgets. GO OUT AND EXPERIENCE THE WORLD THAT WE LIVE IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Technology should be taught and learned but to enhance not to rely on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After viewing the video, I feel we as teachers could do more to incorporate technology into the classroom. However, all of this technology is not offered in every school. The school where I taught the previous two years had very little technology available to the students. But, we should do our part in incorporating technology, such as the use of the internet, creative projects, and so on. I was also amazed at some of the statistics that were showed, such as in the year 2016, the largest English-speaking country will be China! These statistics tell us that we need to do more to help our students.
-Justin M.-
I agree with what Marianne said about using technology to enhance and not to rely on it. Students do spend too much time using technology (ipods, cell phones, video games, etc.) and they should get out and experience the world more. Teachers need to be careful to not stress technology too much and to let it get in the way of teaching the curriculum.
-Justin M.-
Kristen H.
This video truly emphasized the point that engaging technology is important in the classroom. The
21st century learner "learns by doing." However, it was sad to see the fact in the video that 76% of teachers never used Wikis, podcasts, or blogging. I believe that although technology is great to incorporate into the classroom, sometimes it is not readily available or the teacher may not feel 100% comfortable with it (perhaps not being trained on it). The video mentioned that students learn by doing. Therefore, the classroom is a great place to use technology in order to prepare students for the "real-world."
Kristen H.
I agree with Marianne and Justin. Technology should be incorporated into our classrooms and lessons. However, I think the importance of technology must continued to be stressed. We live in a global society and our students need to be prepared to use this technology (PDA's, ipods, etc..). As educators, we can not be afraid of change or new technology. Justin- made a good point- unfortunately not all schools have this technology readily available.
This video clip was very insightful. The message was clear and the statistics were astounding. We live in a world that is surrounded by the latest technology and our students are very much saavy when it comes to the latest and greatest technology. I feel that technology is great tool and i also feel that it is dangerous at the same time. We as teachers want to engage our students and want them to think for themselve and be creative. While this is true, there are other ways (besides technology) that this can be accomplished. I think that as teachers we must become just as "tech" savvy as our students. We probably could learn a thing or to from them!
Most teachers agree on the benefits of using technology in our classrooms: it improves motivation and self-esteem; it actively engages the student in authentic learning tasks; it helps students learn how to critically analyze information; it allows for the accomplishment of more complex tasks; it promotes collaboration with peers; it increases the use of outside resources…
In my opinion, the problem lies in the fact that many of us teachers still don’t know how to use these tools in the classroom and, therefore, are reluctant to accept the changes in our and our students’ roles. As this Youtube video shows, the students in our classrooms were born and raised in the information age, are tech-savvy, and are ready to learn in different ways. I feel that most schools are not able to use technology effectively because they are playing catching-up and focusing on acquiring technology while spending very little effort on training their teachers how to integrate it into the curriculum in meaningful ways.
Francisco (a.k.a. Paco) k.
Kristen H. mentioned that "our students need to be prepared to use this technology." I think, though, that our students are already well prepared. Now it is up to us to catch up with it and acquire the necessary knowledge to put those tools in the service of teaching our students.
Francisco (a.k.a. Paco) K.
This is a slick piece of marketing. The music is appealing and the use of children is usually effective. The teaching profession in America in the 21st Century does need to reexamine its curriculum to make it more relevant. In fact, we should have updated the "factory mentality" public education in the 20th Century (but that is a discussion for another day). Technology is an important learning tool and it should play a greater role in our classrooms.
I think for the most part we agree that incorporating technology into the classroom is a great idea. i agree with art with the fact that technology should play a greater role in the curriculum, but with certain restrictions (as set forth by the school districts).
sabrina
Marianne C was very insightful when she said, "I also believe that there is too much emphasis on technology and not enough on education in general." There is still a need for the three "R's," and basic learning and critical thinking skills. Yes, technology can open up creative and engaging channels of communication: however, the high drop out rate for high school students is not a result of inadequate technology. Let's integrate more technology in education (and discuss how we will pay for it), but let's work on improving the overall quality of learning. Let's focus on training the teachers to master technological advances, but let's not "put the cart before the horse." Some of the students in the video were asking to be taught how to think, create, and analyze: I don't believe that wikis, podcasts, or blogging will necessarily provide the remedy.
"Students will use engaging technologies in collaborative inquiry-based learning environments with teachers who are willing and able to use technology’s power to assist them in transforming knowledge and skills into products, solutions, and new information." After watching this video, I agree with what is said, not enough teachers are incorporating technology into the classroom. In the school I work in, most teachers teach lessons with out any technology. But I must say as a new teacher who incorporates technology in my lessons the students eat it up! They love when technology is incorporated within. As a teacher, I am willing to do this for my students. After all this is their future I are preparing them for. I only hope to learn more and keep up with all the new technology that is out there to be the best teacher I can be.
Tara L.
Karine M
This is the second time that I have viewed this clip, the first was in EDU 506B when our professor showed it to us in school. My opinion did not change from the first time until now. I think that technology is wonderful, and incorporating it into the classroom is a wonderful opportunity to motivate and “engage” students; however, the statistics depicted on this clip did not encourage me as to the motivation of students to learn and study as “21st Century Learners”. Students spend 5 ½ hours on the computer and only 2 hours reading; no wonder China will be the number one English speaking country by 2016. I always feel that saying things like this makes me sound anti-technology, on the contrary. I use technology everyday, I find it a wonderful tool to use, but, I also feel that I was taught important fundamentals in school that help me to add to that knowledge, not learn solely from it. I understand that there will be many job positions in the future for children that utilize technology, but, I feel that technology skills can be taught and mastered through fairly minimal repetition; knowledge, learning, and literacy however cannot, and should not be taught this way.
Karine M.
I completely agree with you Matthew that technology can definitely be used as a tool to accomplish learning and encourage our students to comprehend material. We place too much emphasis on technology and not enough on thinking just to think, I do not feel that placing a greater emphasis on technology will make higher thinking learners out of any student today.
I thought the statistics shown in this video were amazing. I cannot believe that China will become the largest English speaking country by 2016. I believe that as educators it is our responsibility to find a way to relate information to our students in a meaningful way. As Paco said, our students are already tech savvy, teachers need to learn how to incorporate technology into their lessons. As it has been mentioned not all schools have the same access to technology, I know mine doesn't. We are excited to have 2 smart boards for the entire school to share next year. I also feel that we have to be careful that the excitement of technology does not replace the facts and information our children need to know. With all the statistics about hours spent on the computer, watching TV, listening to ipods, I wonder, do kids play outside anymore? Are they losing that creative side since everything is so accessible and being handed to them? We need to find a balance.
Kathleen (Katie)G.
I agree with Marianne. While technology is a wonderful tool it should not replace real world experience. Like Paco said teachers need to become comfortable with technology and be trained on how to incorporate it into their lessons. Perhaps if we the teachers learn to use the technology appropriately then we can help our students find the balance between using technology but still living in the real world and being able to find meaning in those experiences.
Kathleen (Katie) G.
I was shocked at some of the percentages the video gave, especially when comparing China's honor students to all of North America. I think this video is just another eye opener for teachers. We, as teachers, need to take the steps necessary to learn the technology and incorporate it into the classroom. The video could not have made it anymore clear by saying the 21st century learners learn by doing.
Kristen P
I agree with Kristen H that many times the resources teachers need are not available. In order to teach our technology based students, we as teachers must become comfortable with the different tools and it is hard to do so if our schools do not have the resources.
Kristen P
James O.
It is clear that the students today are 21st century learners, and oftentimes they know more about technology than their teachers. The video makes it seem like there is no need for other teaching tools in the classroom besides blogs, the Internet, and technology. There still needs to be lessons that are not 100% reliable of technology because not all students are going to be engaged even if the lesson incforporate technology. If technology is implemented the way the video wants it to be, then there needs to be blocks so students are not checking their Facebook accounts while they should be learned a history lesson.
James O.
I agree with Kristen P. and Justin that the comment about English speakers in China compared to America was eye-opening. Technology is a great motivating toll but it must also be monitored properly to work in a classroom.
I think this video has an important message. It is true that the amount of technology children are using is rapidly increasing. It is important for teachers to be able to help their students use the technology is meaningful ways that will enhance their education. There are many great tools that can foster creativity and give more meaning to learning. Students learn in many different ways and have many different intellegences, technology enables students to learn and excel in the way that is most relatable to them. I must admit though, I do not agree that it is beneficial to have a student listen to a book on an ipod rather than actually reading it for themselves. Reading is still prevailant with the use of technology in many other ways, students must read websites, emails, ims, etc, but this is reading to gather information. The importance of reading to analize and interpret is very important and the best way to do so is by reading rather than passively listening to a text.
I agree with what James said about the need for blocks on certain aspects of technology in the classroom. I remember when I could bring my laptop to certain classes in college I would often be online at the same time and abusing the freedom of having so much available at my fingers. It would be even harder for a younger student to control the urge to be distracted by the many different things available from online games to Facebook. I also agree that lessons should not be completely reliant on technology because that is only one way of learner and may not engage all students all the time. I do think it is important for teachers to be well educated in technology so that students are not the ones who know more about it then they do.
Malcolm T
As engaging as that footage was, I don't agree with the labeling of DIGITAL LEARNERS. Even though this generation is technologically advance from an earlier age, it does not constitute that educators should be out with the old way of teaching and in with the "new". In my opinion, nothing works better than traditional instruction. However, as teachers we do need to be up to date with these changes.
Great message to get out there. I have come across teachers who are intimated by technology because they are either old schooled or are not trained to use it. Some teachers do have the resources available in their school but are not open to it. It was sad to see that students spend more time watching television then reading a book. That's a problem. Students forget that many of their peers can't even read a book. This needs to be addressed before they can use technology.
I think that the video does fulfill its purpose, which is to show teachers that students nowadays need technology to learn. Students are exposed to technology in their everyday lives, why shouldn’t teachers use it in the classroom to make lessons more interesting or engage them. The problem is not that teachers are not using technology; I think that many of them are afraid to use it because of all the distractions (ex. Myspace, facebook, instant messaging). However, I do not think that the video would motivate district leaders to start getting technology in the classroom because it did not show any facts or statistics showing how technology can improve the quality of teaching or how it has improved students grades.
angella s
Although I think that technology is a great motivator for students and can help improve their grades, I agree with jenna-lyn , that there are endless ways to engage students. I think if we use technology too much, students will become somewhat disinterested in it and then teacher will have to come with other ways to engage them. I personally like when students create art projects or use their imagination when writing.
angella saavedra
I think it is very important to incorporate technology in the classroom. I found this video very powerful in that it focused on the importance of involving technology in the classroom. The children of today love technology. It is the world they grew up in. Therefore it is so important for them to use it in the classroom and learn from it. I liked the little girl who held up her work and asked how does this help me? That is very true it does not always. However through technology some students may learn better and benefit more. Mostly because it is what they are interested in. From watching this video I am going to try my best to incorporate technology as much as I can in my classroom.
I like the quote Professor Moroney posted from the video. It is very true where the video took us is exactly where we need to be as educators. Specifically in todays world that focuses on technology. That is how the children of the future are going to learn best.
I agree with what Lynne posted. It is amazing how technologically advanced the children in todays world are. Also it is true that education cannot be based solely on technology. It is important to incorporate technology but stick to the fundamentals as well.
I think technology and digitial learner can be good. What we must remember is that everything in moderation. Technology in the classroom can be very benefacial, but yet we also still need teacher directed activities and classroom involvement. The students can not just sit and watch video after video on smartboards.....we need to remain interactive in order for student learning to take place. It was a very interesting video and a lot of good points are at hand. Today's society is a self gratifying one and instant satisfaction seems to be at a high between all the technology that surronds us in everyday life.
Technology will continue to grow and will continue to be benefacial but I think that students will develope hi level thinking skills by being put to the task by the teacher who is willing to put the student to that task.
Katie
The statistics shown in the clip surprised me. I think the most popular technology tools used among young kids would be video games, i-pods and internet. Certainly there are negative effects of these tools, but we could also transform them into motivations for our students. For instance, we could borrow the same rewarding concept that they used in video games, tell students that every grade they achieve means they got on a higher level. If kids could learn new skills in a video game, they also have the same ability to learn in a class. We could give our students a new perspective of schooling with the help from technology, instead of disliking them, use them.
-Jenny Chen
I think the video clearly shows that technology offers an opportunint to augment solid teaching practices; technology will never replace good teaching, but should be, when possible, a component of such teaching.
Many of the earlier posts noted how technologically advaced today's students are, and with this point I wholly agree. When I have difficulty with a given program, such as the new Microsoft Publisher, the first person I go to for help is my 8 year old daughter!
The use of technology in the classrooms gives students an opportunity to incorporate their passions with the content of the class; in bringing technology into the classroom, educators are able to sync the real world of adolescence with the scool environment. To ignore technology as a teacher is to ignore the culture of teenages today.
On the whole, I thought the video was excellent.
I thought this was a great video. It really shows how kids should be learning. Kids today are so knowledgeable with technology and sometimes they know more then the teacher. Teachers need to learn how to connect to the students in order for them to understand the material. Teachers should learn how technology can be used in the classroom to connect with the children.
I agree with what joanna said. She said that technology is what children are interested in. the children will be able to learn more if they are interested in how the material is presented. Children nowadays grew up with computers, internet, and ipods. Teachers need to keep the child's interest by incorporating technology into as many lessons as possible.
One child held up a sign that said, "If we learn by doing, then what are we doing sitting here." For me, that was the most powerful part of the video. Technology is the way of today's world. Whether, it is the computer, high tech telephones, cameras, smartboards, or any other technological device, to be a productive member in the workforce, you must be able to quickly familiarize yourself with the technology that grace the walls, desks, purses, and briefcases of every executive and the organizations in which they work.
However, as important as it is for technology to be integrated into today's curriculum, the curriculum must consist of more than engaging activities that require an electronic device. There still needs to be the traditional differentiated instruction that consist of teacher dictation, teacher directed cooperative learning projects, and student assessments.
~Shikema B.
The message this video is trying to convey is along the same wavelength that many educatoars and parents are voicing today. Their kids aren't using all the amazing and innovative technologies that are around them properly. The technologies that they are using are for entertainment purposes and very minimal usage for educational purposes. The message I heard from this video is that educators need to use the technologies we are given in more creative ways for the benefit of our students. This will help to guide them to use todays technologies in a much broader variety that can not only be entertaining,but also useful for their future careers.
I thought the video was moving. Why not use what students use most to incorporate a lesson or learning tool to their education? If some students watch 10 hours or more of television a week, why not give them some other form of technology to use or watch to engage them and mold their minds. I mean, that's what we are doing as teachers, isn't it? Molding Minds! Some people might think to just use the old way of reading from books, maybe exploring the world that way, but how many students actually open the book and read from it? And if they are, how many are comprehending what they read? If you use a digital form of reading, creating, and learning, the chances of engaging your students and keeping them interested is might greater. Many children learn more from educational television shows before they reach pre k just because their parents arent home to spend the time with them to teach them. I think using these forms of technology is a great asset to the education field.
- Alexandria
I thought this was a good video. I think technology is becoming more important in education especially because it is very important to be technologically aware in most fields our students will eventually go into. I think it is very important for teachers to be aware of technology and incorporate it into lessons in order to help their students.
-Erin C.
I thought this video was amazing. The message that this video sends is that we need to move forward as educators. Students do not learn by the old chalk and talk techniques. No I do not think that technology should be the main thing that teachers use to convey information. We should use it more and more in classroom's and have the students use it to create their homeworks. For example, I observed a music class where the teacher spoke about Gregorian chant. Many of the students started to fall asleep, pass notes, and talk to their peers. A week later I observed the same class where the teacher brought in his laptop, and using the television, showed students how to use a new music program available on the web to find and create their own music. Students were attentive, awake, and taking notes the entire time. The teacher had to ask many students to write down their questions for next class. This proves, to a point, that when technology is incorporated into classrooms the students will pay more attention.
Michael F.
I definitely think that as educators it is important to incorporate technology into our classroom lessons. However, it is not always easy, it is time consuming to bring in laptops, set up the wireless etc. But I do believe it is important for students to be digital learners. They surely enjoy any activity done with the internet. The students in this video spoke the truth, parents and adults need to understand the power of technology.
I think Alexandria brought up a good point about technology and children. She discusses that children today watch so much t.v. why not stimulate their minds with other forms of technology and media. I totally agree with her, in the future I believe we will rely even more so on technology and as teachers we need to keep up with that.
The video shows the importance digital portions of the classroom. Children nowadays learn in many different ways than I did when I went to school. When I went to school, there were no smartboards or podcasts or anything like that. The video shows me that I have to be aware of these different things and incorperate them into my lessons. If I dont do that, I will be missing out on a chance to give the students and education that they want and they deserve.
After viewing the youtube video, I was reminded of my group's(communicators) powerpoint presentation on all the available technologies that are out there for kids to access. Technology is great because it is easy to access, interesting, and informative. However, there are so many drawbacks as well. Students can easily become targets of sexual solicitation, cyberbullying, and laziness. In addition, their privacy can easily be invaded and their learning easily misguided. The video showed all the "digital kids" seeking help because they are falling behind compared to kids of other countries; they want to be engaged through the process of thinking, creating, analyzing, evaluating, and applying. The video also correlated with what the professor Moroney showed us in class about "shifts" that are happening all around us. Our technology advances every day, yet we, as teachers are losing our students everyday. The high school drop out rate is alarming despite all the technologies that are out there, so what is causing the problem in our education system? Who is at fault? Teachers for not keeping up with the digital world or students for not trying hard enough? I am not pointing fingers at anyone, but I truly believe that education is a collective effort. This means that if our students are not learning, teachers, parents, administrators are not learning either, which means we are all at fault. Maybe we have to go back to the basics. If we as educators start focusing on the interests of our students, maybe good instruction can become a reality, not just a wishful vision.
"I get so frustrated because more than half of my students refuse to check their school district provided email because they're afraid of technology." ~nikkit3, commenter on this video.
Technology can be of great benefits to a class, especially in terms of motivation. But to be successful you also have to learn the "old fashioned" way, too. I once took an advertising course where we learned printing methods used decades ago that were now replaced by computers. Why did we learn those methods? So we understood what we were capable of before technology, so we were even more creative and thoughtful when technology was introduced. Sometimes the most creative and imaginitive work comes with the imposition of limitations on the project itself. Technology removes limitations but can also limit truly creative thought. Its like trying to learn problem solving skills with fewer problems.
I agree with Lynne and Cweisman... technology cannot take the place of an enthusiastic and engaging instructor who makes content interesting and fun to learn. I think if technology is required to educate children then we are shortchanging them. _K Dalton
I could understand how this could make some people angry but the truth of the matter is that we are living in a society that takes technology to the extreme. It is everywhere and it is definitely in the classrooms. Students go home after school and a usually surrounded by technology in one way or another. If that is the world that they live in and are growing up in, then I think their schooling should coincide with their ‘world’ no matter how we were brought up. Times are changing and as teachers no matter what your age is, it is time for us to change too.
-Caitlin F.
An eyeopener video for the teachers.I believe that technology cannot replace a good teacher and a good instruction, rather it should be integrated in every lesson plan. We the educater are taught in a certain way but times have changed. To use technology in the classroom, first the educater have to learn to use technology and school should help.Technology is taking over the world, and most of the children are using some kind of technology. So why not utilize thier knowledge and apply it in their learning.
Iffat
Sure, I agree that incorporating technology in the classroom is engaging for the students, but the lack of technology in the classroom should not be a limiting factor. Other far less industrialized nations are soaring above the United States academically. We can not blame the lack of technology on poor student achievement. The bottom line is that these kids are our future and corporate America will hold them to the same standards. The use of technology is hindering their ability to construct grammatically sound compositions.
Nicole R.
I wasn’t impressed nor persuaded by the video clip. I really couldn’t gather what the point of it was until the end. The entire point of the video was to persuade educators to use more technology, yet the video itself didn’t use any technology. I don’t consider a wipe off board and a dry ease marker technology. Not even to be funny but it portrayed youngsters that looked like sad technology junkies.
-CHRISTINA TRESCA
Watching this U-tube video did make me think about how to teach children to think, reason, create, and engage them in their studies. Technology usage can help with creating and can definitely be engaging but teaching students to reason and think should never be done in the vacuum of technology alone. Especially in the younger grades, the “engagement” of technology overshadows the point of the lesson. Allowing students to tell a story digitally may to fine after they have mastered storytelling in print and orally, but let’s not put the cart before the horse. Changes in education move slowly for a reason, documented research should back changes and technology can help to speed up the research, but it has to be valid and reproducible research. I agree that change must come to education and that technology should enhance teaching but it should never replace (God forbid) teachers!
Kathleen M.
I thought this video was a bit disturbing. Being left in the dust by other nations, is not only a sad reality, it’s kind of scary. As the video suggests, I think that in part, this country is failing students as a result of the lack of using technology in school. However, I don’t believe that that is the only reason why we are falling behind. Technology is only one way to engage our children. We should find out exactly why these other nations are surpassing us and follow by example. –Colleen Corrigan
After watching this video, I was reminded of the You Tube video that Professor Moroney showed us in class. Technology is consistently changing. Although there will always be kinks and budget issues, technology is the new era. Technology keeps students engaged, entertained, and enthusiastic about learning. It also allows them to be engaged in a meaningful environment. My students would much rather watch a You Tube video than listen to a lecture of the same presented material! Although technology is extremely important, I do not think it should replace traditional learning styles. There are times where the lesson needs to be teacher centered, instead of technology centered. A healthy balance between the two will provide a comfortable and successful classroom learning environment.
Kim C.
After watching the video, I was shocked to realize that the way students learn will never be the same. Technology has truly revolutionized teaching and will continue to influence the way educators teach. However, I agree with Kim, there needs to be a balance between traditional teaching methods and using technology as the center of how students learn. I believe that technology is a tool to extend, support, and modify instructions. It was also alarming to see the statics shown in the video. What will technology do to future generations? This is the ultimate question, only time will tell.
K.Boodram
This was a great video that reaffirms the importance of teachers keeping current with technological advances, to share with their students. The 21st Century finds students to be willing participants to be digital learners and as a result, teachers must incorporate this learning tool into their lessons. I believe that technology should be used as a means of engaging the students in subject matter and serve as an additional means of support to the teacher, their lesson objective, and contributing to a positive outcome.
Kathleen L.
Caitlin Tracey
This was a good video because the students in the video were able to express that they want to learn digitally. Teachers need to use technology to engage students because it will help the students get more involved in the lesson. Some teachers do not use technology however and I think its only hurting the students because they will not know how to use it in the future
I do believe that technology should be used in the classroom to help engage the students, and have them learn in an effective matter. However, I do believe that incorporating technology can be very difficult. The time it takes to set something up, or even to have a student focus on the task at hand, may take up more class time than a teacher can afford to lose. I do believe that the video fulfilled its purpose. Personally, it definitely made me feel that I would need to incorporate technology into my classroom as a future educator. I want my students to learn on the same level as others, and to have good computer skills. I would even allow children, who had a hard time reading, the opportunity to listen to audio versions of books. However, with that said, my fear would then be that they would become too reliant on the audio, and they would be unable to write. With that we also run the risk of decreasing grammar skills in children (especially when reading helps improve one’s grammar). I just hope that we can use technology that will benefit our children in every way, without them sacrificing a different skill.
K. Cheema
Edu. 364 01
I think that this video fulfilled its purpose to inspire teachers to use technology. I believe this video amplified the current importation of technology, and how it should be used in engaging ways in order to help students develop higher level thinking skills. Since students today are growing up as strong digital learners, I believe that it has become essential for teachers to be willing and able to include aspects of technology in order to engage America's growing number of digital learners.
-C Skidmore
I think that this video fulfilled its purpose to inspire teachers to use technology. I believe this video amplified the current importation of technology, and how it should be used in engaging ways in order to help students develop higher level thinking skills. Since students today are growing up as strong digital learners, I believe that it has become essential for teachers to be willing and able to include aspects of technology in order to engage America's growing number of digital learners.
-C Skidmore
Yes it has fulfilled its purposes, since in today classrooms more and more teachers are using technology in their teaching. Technology that is use to create all source of projects as a support to their lessons. Learning that with help students improve they education and skills overall. In addition, I believe that it motivate district level leaders, because as I did my students teaching I saw that there were bringing Smart Board into the classrooms to district that hardly have technology.
E.H.
It is amazing that today we are growing and expanding with new technology.More people today need to learn how to use computers, new software,SMART boards and everything else.
Children today spend more time at home watching TV and playing video games then in the past and there are a number of reasons of why that is.
One reason is because sometimes parents work late hours and there is nothing else for them to do, or because video games have grown in popularity and children are always in front of screens. One of the children in the video said that they were a 21st century learner and another child said that they spend 5 ½ hours on the computer.
We now have facebook, blogging,
Podcasts, and much more. The classroom needs to be a place where children can be engaged in what they are learning. There are too many teachers today that do not make learning fun and interesting.
They either lecture the whole time while the children take notes or they use PowerPoint. Sometimes this can get boring for children who see the same thing all the time.
Technology can be used in a positive way at school by having children interact with the SMART BOARD or assign homework where they have their own log in account online to an educational website. There are ways that technology can be incorporated in a positive way where children are learning something rather than just chatting on facebook or playing video games.
In today’s society we are involved with technology and it is important that our children in the classroom learn how to research things, use the internet, and learn about certain programs because it will only benefit them in the future when they graduate High School and even College.
Children today are digital learners and we need to pay attention to that. The quote in the beginning of the video says it all.
Lara S.
EDU 364 01
I agree with Christina one hundred percent because it is very important that teachers incorporate some kind of technology in the classroom during a lesson to engage the students. We have turned into a digital society and our future students can learn better because it will be something new and interesting.
Lara S.
EDU 364 01
After watching the video I do believe that there should be technology used in the classroom. Not only to engage students, but to prepare them for the future and for the jobs they will have one day. Also, using technology will help motivate the students to learn. Technology will enhance student’s education since it already enhances their personal life.
Nicole S
Children spend a majority of their time engaged in technology whether they are using the Internet, watching television, or listening to their Ipod. As a future teacher I think it would be beneficial to find ways to incorporate new technologies into the lesson because it would serve the student's interests. Perhaps it could be used along with a traditional lecture and use of the board because not all children are visual and auditory learners.
Nicole T
I enjoyed this YouTube clip. I thought it was interesting how they filmed it and some of the statistics were very surprising to me. In todays day and age where people's lives are so consumed with technology, I found it hard to believe that so many teachers were not using technology in their classrooms. There are endless options with technology which can allow students to be creative and allows them to think outside the box. I hope that since 2007 when this video was made, that these statistics have changed and that many more teachers are now incorporating technology use in the classroom.
Christine P.
This YouTube clip was very interesting becuase it really shows how technology has influenced education. The same way technology has changed over time, so has education. The problem is that the changes in education aren't keeping up with the changes in technology. Teachers need to be willing to take the time to learn how to incorperate technology into their everyday lessons if they want to keep students engaged and interested. I think this clip does a good job in bringing teachers' attention to the fact that technology must be a part of the way we teach.
Jenn B.
This youtube video points out the very obvious gap that there is a severe technological gap between modern students and their educators. In a society where technological devices like ipods, computers, and cell phones exist as part of the "norm" for student's every day lives, old teaching methods are simply not reaching students as well. The world is getting smaller as technology increases. I was astonished to find out that soon the largest English speaking country will be China! Teachers will need to be innovative in order to figure out a way to incorporate these new technology methods into the classroom. Doing so will not only keep children engaged, but will also boost their own technological skills. The more technological awareness a student has, the more prepared they will be for the new future technologies that the technology revolution will bring.
*Very obvious FACT, not gap.
Sorry!
Brittany S.
The video shows that there is a gap between technology and education and as future educators we need to combine the two; therefore, the future children will be further advanced in knowledge. I know technology is advancing everyday quicker and quicker, I do not believe that the traditional approach to learning should be dismissed. Children can still learn a lot from taking notes or listening to the teacher talk. Children need to get motivated by the teacher so that they can stay awake and learn in an exciting way. Yes, technology should definitely be used in the classroom as a tool, but not take every traditional learning strategy. I do not think that each student will use the technology for what they really need to do. For example, if a child has an iPod and the teacher has instructed them to listen to a speech, there will be some students who will not be doing the assignment but will be listening to music. Technology is very important and should definitely be used as a tool for learning, but sticking with the old tradition of taking notes and listening to the teacher, I think will be more effective.
Jackie A. EDU364.05
I think this video has fulfilled some of it promises, but not all of them. I feel that the more new, young teachers are using technology in the classrooms more. This increased use of technology is beneficial to the students because many students today are tech-savvy and can learn better by using technology than a book. I feel that administrators and older teachers are not being educated in the use of technology. I feel that many older teachers are set in their ways and do not use a lot of technology within their classrooms. As time goes on, I feel class rooms will be a lot more technology based.
-Andrea S.
I really enjoyed this video. It truly opened up my eyes on how much the students in America are digital learners. I never realized how important it is for teachers to incorporate technology into the classroom. It is scary to think that some teachers do not know how to use technology and therefore would not have their students use it. How will they engage their students and have them tech savvy? We as teachers need to keep this video in mind when creating our lessons. –Dayna O
I believe that this video was very persuasive and insightful. Technology should be used more within the classroom because some children grasp the concept of a topic faster and understand it better if technology is involved. I really agree with this video and believe that technology should be used more often in the classroom because technology, such as a computer, can give students access to more information than ever before. I also completely agree that technology engages children. When technology is used properly in a classroom, it can create a fun and exiciting lesson that students want to pay attention to. We live in a world where we are surrounded by technology and there is no way to avoid it. Technology needs to be used more often in the classroom because technology is a large part of a modern student's life.
- Casey H.
The facts in this video are clear, a bit shocking, and send an urgent message to educators. Children today are digital learners and although many may not see why educators must adapt to this, it is true that this is how they are engaged. This video even suggested some great ideas on how to do this, for example letting students creating a story digitally with technology.
-Kiera C.
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