I would use technology in the classroom that the students and engage in. It would be interactive lesson where they would have to get out of their seats to participate in. When you have children sitting all day and watching a screen and not interacting they grow bored and uninterested. All children today are very familiar with technology, we must use it in our classroom as a teaching tool. other wise we will not be able to motivate them to learn. Jeanette brown
The attached video is somewhat negative and a little like the lament of a teacher who fears falling behind the times. We have to use technology in the classroom. Audiobooks for iPods. web quests. Information available through other forms of digital media. Blogs, personal and for class. All of these are solutions. At the same time, becoming engaged in content also requires the enthusiasm of a knowledgeable teacher and content presented in a way that keeps it interesting. It's not technology that will solve the problem, its how it's used and with what degree of interest. Katherine Dalton
Watching this video makes me realize how much things have changed in the classroom in such a short period of time. I graduated high school only 5 years ago and im sure the students now know a lot more about technology than I do. They probably have much more knowledge about smartboards and other new educational technology that I am trying to learn how to use. It makes my job that much more important to try and reach these kids on a level that they understand.
The video clip did a great job in summarizing what is going on with our students today, what is wrong with our method of teaching, and what needs to be done in order to teach them more effectively. I felt that the clip was so relevant because I know that the students that I'll be teaching will be "digital kids" as well. This means that I, as the teacher must adapt and learn to integrate technology more readily if I want to engage my students and improve my lessons. There are so many resources available online that can help us as teachers, so shouldn't we familiarize ourselves with them take advantage of them as much as possible? I know that NCLB subjects many teachers to "teach to the test." However, that should not be the reason why teachers resort to traditional pencil and paper methods. When used appropriately, technology will allow teachers to not only differentiate their lessons but also accommodate their students' needs and learning styles better. I believe that ultimately that's what we as teachers need to do- continue learning ourselves so that we can better meet the needs of our students and make learning fun, relevant and interactive for them.
The video clip did a great job in summarizing what is going on with our students today, what is wrong with our method of teaching, and what needs to be done in order to teach them more effectively. I felt that the clip was so relevant because I know that the students that I'll be teaching will be "digital kids" as well. This means that I, as the teacher must adapt and learn to integrate technology more readily if I want to engage my students and improve my lessons. There are so many resources available online that can help us as teachers, so shouldn't we familiarize ourselves with them and take advantage of them as much as possible? I know that NCLB subjects many teachers to "teach to the test." However, that should not be the reason why teachers resort to traditional pencil and paper methods. When used appropriately, technology will allow teachers to not only differentiate their lessons but also accommodate their students' needs and learning styles better. I believe that ultimately that's what we as teachers need to do- continue learning ourselves so that we can better meet the needs of our students and make learning fun, relevant and interactive for them.
While I think technology is a great way to get students interested in the classroom, I fear that for some it is adding to the frustraiting divide between the haves and the have nots. Long Island is very unique in its demographics and vast range in economic status. I see this even within the same school district. While the use of technology might motivate some students who are familiar with it, for those who are not familiar, they are now at even more of a disadvantage. I'm hesitant! Nicole R.
I strongly believe that technology has a place in education today, but at what age it should be introduced, and for what purposes it should be used needs to be scrutinized carefully. In the elementary grades word processing should never replace the fundamentals of language arts; reading, writing, penmanship, grammar, and literacy. Pen and paper must still be used to some extent to acquire these necessary skills. Using machinery to supplement language arts, and as assistive support in other areas of the curriculum such as science, math, art , and social studies can enhance learning and should be used as a reward for "hard work". The value of “hard work”, i.e. old fashioned learning styles without technology should not be lost on this younger generation of “digi kids”, because as history shows us, knowing from whence things came and why things are they way they, are invaluable tools in thinking and reasoning. Using technology in the middle grades must also be monitored carefully for abuses such as plagiarizing, cheating, cyber bullying, and mishandling of time. High school and colleges must educate the student population in responsible and moral technology usage; so that these leaders of tomorrow never mislead and rob the public (with the help of technology) the way the first wave of leaders with access to, but limited understanding of, technology have. Educators have a huge responsibility incorporating technology in the classroom. Kathleen M.
Martha D. Today’s classroom is very different from one 10-15 years ago. Technology makes classroom instruction easier. The possibilities of resource information are endless. As a teacher one needs to make learning fun and interactive with students. These days that means you have to take advantage of the technological advancements available to you. There are many reasons why technology integration in the classroom has become increasingly a vital tool for instruction. The student is actively making choices about how to generate, obtain, manipulate, or display information. Technology use allows students to be actively thinking about information, making choices, and executing skills than is typical in teacher led lessons. Moreover, when technology is used as a tool to support students in performing authentic tasks, the students are in the position of defining their goals, making design decisions, and evaluating their progress.
Integrating technology into the classroom opens the doors many different possibilities for students and teachers. As many of my classmates have stated technology makes learning more enjoyable and accessible. Technology allows instruction to be more “student” directed and less “teacher” directed. This is essential because it allows students to feel empowered, thus allowing student to engage in relevant inquiry. Teachers can also use technology as a tool for motivating students to gain knowledge through an interactive and engaging manner. As you can see, there are numerous possibilities for integrating technology into the classroom. K.Boodram
I thought that this video was informative and interesting to watch. It made me think back to when I was a student in elementary school and junior high, and I began to recall the different techniques my teachers used to present their information. Even though it wasn't many years ago, technology has come a long way since then. When I was a student in elementary school and even junior high, we didn't have nearly the amount of access to technology as we have now! I remember the simple things, such as the overhead projector and computer labs (no computers in the classroom!). There really wasn't much else in the technology department to stimulate us (the students). Today we have access to all kinds of technology such as Smart Boards, computers/laptops, Internet access, stereos, DVD's, etc. to use with our students. I believe that technology is a very important part in stimulating the interest in students because these students today have grown up in a technological world where they NEED to use technology to survive! Although technology has some drawbacks, on the whole it makes teaching and learning a lot more fun/productive. Kim C.
I would engage digital kids in the classroom by embracing the technology that has been given to us and utilizing it to the furthest extent I can. It is important to incorporate even a little bit of technology in every lesson. Digital children quickly find themselves dazing off into space during lessons in which require students to read from the textbook or listen and take notes from a lecture, myself included! By using a smartboard or slideshow to present material educators are able to appeal to digital learners tactile, visual, kinesthetic and auditory learning styles. I would also use technology to produce unit projects or for review games such as, jeopardy. Sites such as flikr and twitter are helpful in displaying visuals. Overall, the video clip shed a gloomy light upon today’s youth. While technology is great, it is taking away from the wholesomeness that once existed amongst Americas youngsters.
The video clip makes me realize how outdated my teaching is, what is wrong with our method of teaching and what should we do to grab the attention and focus of these digital kids. We have to integrate technology in our lesson plan. Not only the kids will be more focus but it will make the content more realistic.
This is an eye opening video. The classroom of today is much different from those of even just 5 years ago. Technology is changing so fast and it is our job as educators to prepare students for the world after school. At the same time, we still need to focus on writing and grammar at the younger ages. These are skills that should not be thrown aside because we can not type. In my classroom I would like to integrate technology daily. Using an interactive smart board for lessons and incorporating internet resources are just the beginning. I would like to use blogs and other websites for homework assignments. There is so much technology out there for us to use that we would be doing our students a disservice not utilizing it. Theresa S.
Although some people might think that this video is negative in some ways, it is the harsh reality of today's society. If we want our students to learn the most they can, then we as future teachers need to adapt to THEIR world. I do not think that students should not read books anymore or write papers, but I do think that we need to incorporate technology the best we can and as much as we can, because that is the world we are living in. -Caitlin Fox
This video had a humorous approach with relevant connections to the real world. We recognize failures due to ignorance in the past like our definate beliefs that the world was the flat center of the universe. A changing world needs to be learned by teachers in order for teachers to efficiently and effectively communicate with our students. Adam M
I thought the video was very enlightning. it really brought to my attention the need for technology in the classroom. Standing in front of the class lecturing does not work anymore.We must use the technology daily in the classroom. Smartboards, student and teacher blogs, wiki's as well as the classroom computers must be incorporated in everyday curriculum. Denise c.
I think that there are many ways to engage students in a lesson. I would absolutely use technology to engage students. I feel that a teacher just giving direct instruction to students is boring and not stimulating to students. I also feel that the video had a negative spin on it. There was one part of the video that asked why do we ask students to use pens/pencils, books and paper. Although the technological era is in full swing, I do believe that pen and paper still have a place in the education world.
I found the video clip to be very informative in an interesting way so as to engage teachers and potential educators to learn to use more engaging ways to inspire our students. I see how the old ways of strictly chalk and talk do not work in the classroom. Students need to be entertained in the classroom by using video clips, audio clips, smart boards, research on the internet, etc. I grew up in the era of chalk and talk and if we were lucky we got a transparency once in awhile but now I know that these old methods alone do not truly engage the students. I hope that I will always have lessons that will entice my students and have them looking forward to coming back to my class day after day.
The question posed to us is "how would you engage digital kids in the classroom" and my immediate response is incorporate it in class lessons. This may be easy to say but the challenge is how to incorporate it in a fun and effective way where the student understands the instruction and doesn't see learning as a chore.
We as practioners of education must acknowledge that today's students are accustomed to having technology in all facets of their lives. They are surrounded by it in so many forms such as communication devices, entertainment,transportation modes,hospitals, supermarkets, banks, internet, etc. So, teachers also need to demonstrate to students that technology is part of school life such as in classrooms, extracurricular activities, libraries, and so on.
There is a multitude of techology tools that teachers can use but I will name just a few. They are webquest, microworlds, virtual and simulation software, and games. Simulation software can be particularly effective in the subjects of social studies and science. Students can obtain meaningful learning by imitating real things in life, experiment and explore ideas,concepts, and reflect on what they learned via a simulated environment. This approach is much more appealing to today's student rather than experiencing a monotone, direct lecture and reading aloud a passage from textbook.
When reading comments about this video from other students, I noticed a consistent statement stating that technology is important but it does not serve as a substitute for a teacher. I agree with this comment and I'd like to add that teachers need to stay up to date with technology as well as stay informed in what interests students in order to keep them motivated and want to continue to learn. We have a lot of work ahead of us but we need to remember why we became teachers and what is essentail to teaching students.
Students must be engaged in the learning process. Students’ do not want to learn through “teacher talk.” They find this extremely mundane and uninteresting. In order for today’s students to profit from learning, they must be active participants in developing their academic and social skills. Today’s students are going to excel in active participation by utilizing equipment and materials that they are most familiar with. These everyday tools are no longer physical but rather digital. The pencils, crayons, and books have been tossed to the side and replaced with Wikipedia, web sites, Google earth, United Streaming, Alta vista, yahoo, windows, and msn to just name a few. As time moves on, the world is changing. As teachers we cannot remain stagnant, we must change with it. In order to change, we must adapt to our students and meet their strengths. We need to use our student’s strengths to breathe success. In order to teach in 2009, one must breathe digital success. -Marissa E.
I agree with Elizabeth. Even though technology is very important a teacher is still an essential part of the classroom. A classroom would not be able to function smoothly without a facilitator. The teacher needs to take on a strong facilitator role. The students and the digital world must work interactively together to succeed in this Information Age.
I agree with Elizabeth. Even though technology is very important a teacher is still an essential part of the classroom. A classroom would not be able to function smoothly without a facilitator. The teacher needs to take on a strong facilitator role. The students and the digital world must work interactively together to succeed in this Information Age. -Marissa E
I think technology, when used correctly, can benefit any classroom. Students enjoy interacting with computers, SMART boards, etc., therefore, it is essential teachers incorporate technology into their daily lessons. I strongly believe a combination technology in the classroom will allow our students to learn and better understand various content material. ~Maryann R.
I agree with Elizabeth. Although technology is a great tool in classroom, a teacher is still needed to teach the class without the use of technology. I see no reason why students cannot use paper and pencil, and work out of a textbook, as well as be exposed to technology. The teacher is still an essential part of a student's life, emotionally and physically. Technology cannot change that! ~Maryann R.
As a teacher it is extremely important to bring technology into the classroom. In my own classroom, I find the students to be excited and engaged when technology is being used, rather than the standard chalkboard. I was lucky enough to received a Smartboard in my classroom about halfway through the school year. Once the Smartboard was put in and I started to create interactive lessons, student participation greatly increased. Just like the video shows, students are happy and excited when technology is being used because they grow up in an age that focuses on technology. I believe that all teachers need to try some way to integrate technology into the classroom - however small it might be at first.
Just like many of the other people here, I too agree with Elizabeth. Technology does not take the place of the teacher. In fact, there are many teachers that might rely too heavily on technology and shy away from the traditional teaching methods. That's not to say that technology does not enhance the learning process.
I think that Smart Boards are essential in the classroom today. I can see a complete difference in childrens attention and the way they interact when using the white board vs. using a text book. You Tube can be a great resource for teachers as well. I think that the more technology used in the classroom the more engaged students will be in each lesson. -Jackie R.
I think this video did an excellent job of pointing out that we are in a different age of teaching. I have to admit when I am teaching I feel like I have to complete with the stimuli that video games and computers provide my students. I am lucky enough to have a SMART board in my classroom and use it as much as I can through the day, but there are times where I teach the old fashion way and feel that I am losing my student’s interest. My students in first grade now know about as much as I do when it comes to computers. I believe that the paper and pencil technique, although out dated, is still an important tool to teach writing. It is our obligation as teachers to continue to update how we teach to reach our “Digital Students.” Hopefully one day there will be a computer in the classroom for each student.
This clip emphasizes not only the importance of technology in the classroom but also the need for educators to keep up with the growing trend. It is necessary for educators today to become more knowledgeable with the technology that's out there in order to inspire and engage students into each lesson. This clip made it obvious that "digital kids", the kids of today and the future are not going to be intrigued by a traditional blackboard lesson. I look forward to learning more about smartboard, powerpoint and other tools that I can use within my future classroom. -Kristen Ford
We live in the digital age and children have easily adapted to technology in their lives. Technology needs to be incorporated into classroom routines to enage and motivate students and enhance their learning experience. The constantly evolving new technologies are really just new tools to communicate and convey information and we as teachers need to know how to use them effectively. As for doing things the old fashioned way, with paper and pencil, I think it has its place. I believe it's useful in mathematics when students are learning a new concept. Sometimes it is important to know how an answer was derived and what it means not just what button to push to get it. Patricia G.
Jackie's comments about her students being more engaged when using interactive technology as opposed to textbooks and lecture was a perfect example of the need to incorporate technology in the classroom. Today's students have grown accustomed to technology in their lives and expect it. It is up to teachers, as facilitators, to implement it effectively.
Aside from the eerie music, the idea of this video terrified me a little. Even though I had access to technology for most of my young life, very little of it was used throughout my educational experience in elementary school, middle school, and high school. Today, students cannot fathom an existence without access to video game systems, computer, internet, ipods, cell phones, etc. As a future teacher, it is somewhat scarey to think that technology is imperative to incorporate into educating students on a daily basis. Fortunately, most of us have been raised with access to all of these advancements and do not have to learn how to use new technology with no background. I can't imagine what it is like for an older teacher was not raised in the tech age. I will constantly incorporate technology into my lessons; however, students must first learn to use the technology in a productive and safe way.
I thought this video was very interesting. I agree with its message that today's children (who grew up in the digital age) need to be exposed to technology in the classroom. It is an excellent complement to keep them engaged and interested learning.
On the other this video is obviously biased and fails to recognize the fact that students can still learn have fun without technology. It is the responsibility of the teacher to find a nice balanced medium.
I don't exactly know where to begin commenting on this video.
The message is well taken, I agree we as educators need to do a better job of incorporating technology into our lesson design and delivery as well as other forms of instruction.
The video focused a lot on image and appearance. I am not sure why children with mohawks or farah fawcett(sp?) show us how to effectively use technology in education.
They chose images to couple with the dramatic music that seemed unfortunate to me. I believe whole heartedly in using technology, but I dont' question why we still use, for instance, books. I love books, books are great. I am not scared of them or using them for the rest of eternity, even in conjunction with other resources, technologically advanced or otherwise.
I agree with some previous comments that this video was not really geared toward people who are already tech savvy, literate etc. This video seems like it was designed to scare you into learning about technology if you believe it has no place in the classroom. I think it was a bit too polemic and inflammatory for me to really get on board.
I would engage digital kids in my classroom, depending on what grade they are in, in different ways.
If they are in the lower grades I would utilize pictures from flickr, and activities from various websites, in my motivation at the start of lessons.
If they are in grades 3-5 I would encourage them to use the computers within the classroom for various class work. Particularly for fifth grade, I would have the students "blog" their assignments at home. I would also have them incorporate music and pictures to various presentations for class that would be shown through the SmartBoard.
That being said, I would also have to balance the integration of technology with "traditional" classroom procedure, as I would be mandated to follow protocol as a new teacher. In addition, it is imperative to be mindful of the socioeconomic backgrounds of the students in order to ensure I am not alienating particular students that may not have the resources necessary to complete assignments integrating technology. -Kelly M.
I agree with Josh G. that while I believe technology should be incorporated into the classroom, I do not believe technology should replace books.
I also love books and although some may believe that students no longer learn through "traditional" methods, I have 4 nieces and nephews that attend a private school that is still very "traditional" in its methodologies and resources, that would prove that statement wrong. -Kelly M.
Like others who have written posts, I believe that it is important for teachers to integrate technology into the classroom because students nowadays have different styles of learning than those from previous generations. However, I believe that the use of technology should not take priority over the learning of content of the curriculum. I found it a little odd that the video included Wikipedia and other unreliable sources as sources which teachers should use with students. It makes me feel that the creator of the video may not be entirely reliable. Erin G.
This was an awesome video!! The kids we teach today are almost completely digital. If they perk up during conversations about video games then why don't we use more technology in our teaching?
First, I feel that the smart board is a huge breakthrough in teaching through technology. Most of the kids I teach are special ed students who come to life when technology is used to teach a lesson. Even a simple power point grabs their attention. Imagine if more was used.
I agree with Kelly when it comes to using blogging as part of their homework assignments. I think that paper graphic organizers should be subsituted with an interactive smart board graphic organizer. I would also encourage debates through blogging.
I would set up a blog or some sort of computer communication device where they would have to communicate with students from other classes and schools to discuss topics.
There is so much that technology can be used for in teaching that the sky is really the limit.
I agree with the comments below. I think that technology in the classroom is very useful and good for students because it's a fun, interacting way of learning. Also since technology is always being updated, it's good for students and teachers to be up to date with the newest technologies. I think students will want to learn more when they can visit hands on websites and use the smart board and other updated technology like that. -Michele D.
I would use technology in the classroom that both students and teachers could engage in. Students today rely on their computers, ipods, tvs, and video games to entertain them. The video did an excellent job of pointing out that we are in a different age of teaching. I also agree with Josh in that educators do need to do a better job of incorporating technology into our lesson design and delivery as well as other forms of instruction. When I was in school the library had the computers and maybe one or two in a room. In my classroom now we have labtops for the students. -Kristina T
I thought the video was awesome! Kids today are truly in an digital age.
As I have previously stated in the last blog, when any means of technology are brought into the classroom, students become automatically engaged and are curious as to how they can relate to the subject at hand.
I too have to agree with Annemarie based on the idea surrounding homework blogging and converting graphic organizers online. If you are in a school district that can afford to have many computers in a classroom, students can upload and display their work for their fellow students to see on a smart board or projector.
From talking with the librarian from my school, he had gone to a seminar at a local private school where all the textbooks and notes were all on a thumb drive. All the students needed were their drives everyday in class and use laptops.
Although this would be extremely ideal for all schools, I believe that will be eventually where we are heading as we get farther and farther into the digital age.
For the vast majority of us teachers who were born at the beginning of the computer age, it is exciting to see ways we can make teaching our lessons easier and more enjoyable.
Using technology in the classroom is a benefit for all parties involved. However, it can only work when a teacher knows how to correctly use whatever type of technology they are using. For instance, a teacher at the high school I work at recently held a conference where she was going to teach fellow teachers about the use of PowerSchool. PowerSchool is the program we use to post grades, comments, and allows students to keep up to date with absences. However, the teacher could not figure out how to get the WhiteBoard working, nor could she show us how to properly use PowerSchool. This example shows us two things. First, that teachers need to learn themselves how to use certain aspects of technology. It is hard, especially if you are unfamiliar with them. Secondly, it proves that technology can also let us down at times. We expect everything to go smoothly, but sometimes things can go wrong, like they did here.
I believe technology in classrooms is a great idea, as long as the teacher is well educated and the students are responsive to it. As time continues, technology will only become more and more prevalent in schools.
I agree with Ricky, in regards to the fact that this short little clip is as biased as they come. In fact, it seemed like it was just bashing those who didn't teach with the use of technology.
I feel that it is essential to both new and old teachers to educate themselves on new technology. Whether individuals like it or not technology is and will continue to be seen more and more in the classroom as time progresses. I feel that teachers even ones like myself that are computer savy should continue to educate themselves on new technology and ensure that they are keeping up with the newest and most in-date sources of technology. Although I agree with many of the comments in regard to technology not all being positive. I do feel that it has a lot more positives then negatives in that it truly can enhance a classroom dramatically. Students become so motivated when technology is used in the classroom and it gets them excited and shows a great deal of enthusiasm towards learning.
I agree with Jennifer that old teachers as wellas new teachers need to be educated in technology. Even if it is not a personal prefferenct for teaching the students really do benefit from a variety of technology daily. Although technology is a great thing to intergrate into your lessons it also needs to be closely regulated. Students need to understand the rules and guidelines for using technology. Erin M.
I love this video. It really captures the flux that we as educators are experiencing. As the video shows we as educators have to adapt and change. If technology is going to keep our students focused and help them to learn and survive in our society, then accept it and use it to your advantage. Change is inevitable and it is always best to embrace it instead of fighting it.
I wish some of today's technology would have been available when I was a young one. It definitely would have made my math and science classes more interesting.
I also agree with Elizabeth in that technology is in all aspects of our daily life and as such it should be used in our classrooms to teach children that it is important not only as entertainment but also as a learning tool.
To respond to Josh's inquiry about the use of Farrah Fawcett's image and the other hair styles: Each of the hairdos shown were controvercial in their time. They were a sign of change and many people had a very had time accepting the new do's while others raced to change their style. These images just establish a pattern that whe change emerges, resistence is there but many adapt and integrate the change into their community. The images were there as a representation of change not as a way of engaging us to use technology.
Integrating technology into the classroom is very important to teachers and students. Technology makes learning more enjoyable and fun for students as well as teachers. Students recall more information if they are apart of what they are learning. Teachers can also use technology as a tool for motivating students. Technology is very important. -Michele D.
The video is a great piece. It shows a very important take on technology in the classroom or teaching field. The video is right in saying that things have changed. As teachers and educators we must be willing to evolve and incorporate these modern ways and technologies into our lessons and curriculums. This video shows just how important it is becoming to step away from some of the more out dated methods of teaching and into the digital era by incorporating cutting edge technology in an area that needs a change. The students would benefit greatly because it would motivate them to try something new. It will also give some technology a good standing place in the academic world. This would be a helpful way to help get more traditional educators on board and help evolve the learning process so the children would once again be able to be excited about learning. The only downside I see to the digital student is the cost of some of the technology. Kim K.
Obviously the use of technology is opening up new and interesting worlds for today's students. Interactive lessons that get the kinesthetic learner up and out of their seats, digital lessons for the visual learner, audio options to reach the auditory learners are all excellent uses of technology to make learning fun and geared toward specific learners. It also makes me realize that I need to be on top of all the new technology so that I can keep up with my students and keep them interested! Christine G.
"Digital Kids" was a powerful video illustrating how technology has and will continue to change the way learning occurs in our classrooms. One cannot stop this progress from happening. Our children are "Digial Kids". They possess cell phones, I-Pods, laptops, etc. Everything is fast, simple, easy and done for them. They can learn to use all of these things. But what are they really learning?? As posted by Kathleen M., at what age and for what purposes? The acquisition of fundamental skills within language arts, writing, literacy, etc. should be taught and learned the "old fashioned" way. Children must learn to write, read, communicate, use reference books to research, etc. However, today's teacher can reduce the "boredom" and "repetitveness" of those traditional learning activities by regularly incorporating technology into their lessons. I would use traditional teaching methods as the foundation and initial building blocks for learning and then implement age appropriate technology for support and enhancement. If I were a "have" (posted by Nicole) and had access to technology, I would engage and motivate my students by offering alternative ways to learn using technology. I would hopefully provide them with the basic tools and concepts and then encourage them to hone their skills and take ownership of their learning by using other methods they really like both at home and school. I agree and disagree with K. Dalton about this video being negative. I agree because the use of technology has many risks and negative effects if not monitored and used properly such as cyberbullying, cheating/plagiarism and poor time management. On a positive note, when technology is available and integrated into a classroom by a teacher that is knowledgeable, motivated and willing, a high level of rich, meaningful learning will occur. One cannot stop progress. But we can control how fast we allow it to move into our children's lives, who uses it, how, when, where and why. Kathy K.
I think this video gives kind of an incomplete picture. All the tech stuff in the world is great, and if it gets kids interested, I'm all for it. (I had a smart board in the room I was observing in, and the kids loved using it)But to imply that we no longer need books, or pencils? That's kind of silly. You have to teach kids the basics, and all the basics. All the tech in the world can support and supplement that, but you need variety snd you need to understand different methods.
What an interesting and thought provoking video. I enjoyed the flashback photos with kids of today, amazing to think that there is less then 100 year difference between them. "Digital Kids" is the student of the future. These students will have been brought up using computers and web based technology. Furthermore, they will react to this type of learning because it was how they grew up. I feel that in order to engage these "Digital Kids" we must start from the ground up. Teachers and educators need to be as caught up with technology as the students. If this were to remain strong then teachers will know how to keep their students interested and totally engaged. Teachers should be required to attend classes and stay on par with the rising level of technology. We, the next generations of teachers, owe it to our students to keep them learning and interested in the classroom by using all the technology we can get our hands on, because the students are already doing it. It makes no sense not to mold your classroom around that!
quite true, we have gone from the notebook and blackboard to the palm pilot and smart board... i found this clip very entertaining, while it presented some very real questions with some basic answers. this is just the beginning. some teachers are tech savvy and up t- date with the latest technology, while others lag behind, yet still some are sort of in the middle, learning and growing and trying to keep up with it all and keeping the students' learning experience as the goal.it's the all part of the growing process... seems daunting at times... sue d.
i agree with christine and steve, we need more interactive, kinesthtic learning to keep all students involved, yet the pencil and paper will never be obsolete, regardless of how much technology we use in the classroom. the tried and true basics will never use effectiveness sue d
I have worked in 2 schools with students of very different backgrounds. One school was private, but very few students had computers at home. We were also somewhat limited by technology resources within the school--I had a computer in my classroom and there was a lab with 24 computers, but the internet was very slow and it took a long time for pages to load. I did my best by creating PowerPoints that had images, animations, and movies, which I could show with an LCD projector that was donated by an alum of the school. If I wanted to view a website, I kept my fingers crossed when trying to access it. I usually printed the main page for the students to have as a handout and just discussed what resources were available on the site. I also gave them the URL in case they could get to a computer on their own time. The students who attend the school that I am in now are much more privileged, so nearly all of them have internet access at home, in addition to multiple computer labs and SmartBoards in school. The teachers are much more likely to include technology in their lessons on a regular basis because it is readily available and they have been given training on how to utilize it within their classrooms. I think the fact that the teachers have had support in integrating technology has been a big help in making sure that the students are exposed to different teaching methods, since the technology can contribute to greater interaction during lessons.
A number of the comments that came before mine mention the fact that the teachers need to work toward being as tech-savvy as the students already are (Christine G., Matt F., Sue D.). Maybe there is a way for us to further strengthen the relationships we build with our students by having them teach us about technology as we are teaching them the curriculum. I know that we will all be very comfortable using PowerPoint once this course is over, but let's say for an example that you want to add a movie clip to a presentation--the students could walk you through how to do that in a matter of minutes. The benefits would go both ways in that you would now know how to incorporate the videos for future presentations and the students would be exposed to the instructional value of that clip that they helped you with. For those of us who understand how precious time is to a teacher, with getting through the curriculum and preparing for assessments, something like this does not have to happen every day--maybe once a week at the most. On those rare occasions when you have a few extra minutes, ask the students for their help. It may also keep them from becoming too rowdy during that down time because they will all want to watch what you are doing and share their experiences of using that particular technology.
I agree with Steve that this video is incomplete. I believe technology is very important and should be integrated into the classroom, but it should not be the only form of teaching. Books and pencils are also another important tool to use in the classroom. Variety is important and students should learn using different types of tools in today's classroom. Technology should be an addition to the classroom not a replacement. This will allow students to have a variety of skills to learn with. Soribeth Milito
I thought that this video was very good but had its limitations. It is important that we acknowledge and adapt to the changing times. However, that does not mean that we need to abandon altogether the traditional means of teaching and learning. We need as educators to take on the difficult task of blending the traditional and modern methods of teaching and learning to create the most beneficial lessons for our students. Megan R.
The video was awesome and informative. Things have really changed. Children grow bored with just a lecture, pencil and paper. I'd use the smart board, podcasting, blogging, wordprocessing and wikis in my classroom to engage the students.
This video was interesting to me, however I definitely do not agree with it 100%. Is it important to use technology in today's classrooms? Absolutely. But by the same token, we simply cannot neglect pen and paper methods. Kids today are in fact digital natives, and most five year olds probably know more about computers than some of their parents. But the fact remains that we cannot allow our students to become dependent on technology. It's a great way to get students motivated for a lesson, or even as an aid for a lesson. This video doesn't seem to see it that way; I feel as though the video wants teachers to immerse their students in technology and utilize it as the only source for educating their students. I feel that this is a dangerous thing to do because some of the technology can get distracting, and will take away from the learning process. As an aid, I fully support technology. I simply cannot support a world in which classrooms are run solely by this technology. Perhaps I see things in an old-fashioned way, but I don't see how creating all assignments around technology can be beneficial. As I said earlier, I am in no way against using it - but I do feel that it's use should be limited. Students need to learn how to read and write conventionally, as well as to type and read on the computer.
Meagan, you make an excellent point. It is so important to blend together both styles of teaching so as not to lose sight of what is important. Traditional teaching and learning should not be lost arts. Instead, we should use traditional methods and infuse bits of technology and other modern ideas along with it.
This video is like many videos I watch and learn about in school today. Teaching has definitly evolved into this atmosphere in which if there is no technology used in the classroom, the teacher is not engaging his or her students enough. Now, when teachers go on interviews, a common question is, "how do you as a teacher engage your students in the classroom?" Another common question is, "How do you use technology to motivate your students?" I completely agree with the video that children these days are digital learners. I believe that children sometimes know more than we do about technology. As a teacher, we must be able to prepare our students to live and support themselves in the digital world that we all live in today. The more that we incorporate technology into the classroom, the more these students will be able to handle the technology skills needed in the real world today. When these students apply for jobs, they will be facing students around the world who have had teachers instill the use of technology into their daily lives.
On the other hand, I do not think technology should be used 100% of the time. I completely agree with Nicole and Meagan, that it is important to blend the traditional style of teaching with the newer digital style of teaching. I am a person that when I learn, I need to not be distracted. Sometimes, teachers use too much technology that the students become more distracted, that simply using the chalkboard. As a math teacher, sometimes students need to just see me at the board, working through an example step by step, rather than have a powerpoint with pictures and colors that distracts them.
As teachers, we must be smart when choosing when and how to incorporate technology into our classroom. It is a fantastic tool that should be used whenever possible, but also not be used too much.
I would use technology in the classroom in a number of ways. For one, there is a website entitled Explorelearning.com geared towards math and science that has interactive simulations (gizmos) to promote visual learning. Each gizmo comes with an exploration guide for students and a lesson plan guide for teachers. I would either present a gizmo to the students or better yet have the students use the gizmos themselves. Also, I would use BrainPop to either introduce or review a topic we learned in class. BrainPop gives an entertaining yet informative synopsis about various topics in mathematics and other subjects and provides a quiz and other activities that go with that topic. I would also use Geometer's Sketchpad for geometry lessons and WinPlot for lessons that involve graphing.
I love the way this clip begins, the pics of students are eye catching and make a very strong point. I feel that this will definately help to show evolution in education to those who oppose it. Also, using the plane to show how far humanity has come was great and truely shows the solid fact that times have changed and will continue to change, progress, and develop wether we are against it or for it. Danyi T
I believe that as teachers of children who live in digital world it is our responsibility to incorporate as much technology into the classroom as possible. It amazes me that teachers who have access to technology don't use it. At work today I was mentioning that I was surprised that the studnts did not have e-mail accounts through the school. In my opinion e-mail is a great way to communicate with students. I hope that when I have my own classroom that I am know enough about the available technology to apply it to daily activities.
I think the best way to engage kids in the classroom is to mix in just the right amount of technology with the traditional teaching methods. I don't think its productive or healthy for students to be plugged in to computers or headphones all day, but I think there needs to be a certain amount of learning done through the use of the technology available to us today. I still think children need to use pens and pencils and read from actual books to a certain extent though.
I agree with Jeff. I think it is important to find the right mix of technology and traditional methods in order to create effective and engaging lessons. Children today are definitely different than the students of 30 years ago and as teachers we definitely do need to adapt and acknowledge that many students are technologically advanced. To engage elementary students I would incorporate a class blog where they could (with teacher assistance-depending on grade level) publish their thoughts and assignments, use powerpoint presentations, and webquests. I agree with the end of the video where it says that we need to be willing to try different methods and understand they all will not be successful.
I think this video had the right idea that the students are changing more and more as technology progresses through the years. As teachers it is important for us to keep updated with the technology to teach the students and I also agree that being a good teacher is to integrate technology and classroom instruction in an equal way. -Deanna C.
I like how this video showed that technology engages students because that is what they are used to using. I think this is a really important point. I would use things like you tube and blogs to get my students hooked into lessons and try to motivate them to do their homework. We too also like learning with technology as opposed to traditional methods, so it makes sense to use it with our students.
I do agree with Jeff though about balancing technology because some skills kids really do need to learn. Once they have mastered these skills technology can enhance everything.
I would engage digital kids in the classroom by utilizing both technology and textbook material. Lessons can be differentiated, so kids wont become bored with the repetitious practices used on a daily basis. We still need to make use of the textbook materials, because we dont want to become solely dependent on technology. Computers and other technological devices can malfunction. We can begin to use smartboards and video clips in our lessons more often. I agree with Jeff in saying that we can use a combination of tools, so that there is a balance in the learning tools used. Melissa H.
This video was a great explanation of how times change and how students are learning differently. Clearly technology is an effective tool when teaching our students, therefore I believe we should incorporate technology and other web 2.0 tools as much as possible when teaching our digital kids. However, I agree with Jeff that we should only incorporate technology for an appropriate amount of time. I believe that teacher-made resources are also effective and technology should not completely replace teaching.
I agree with the video’s point that kids are changing and are now digital kids. To get kids engaged and motivated into a lesson we need to teach them with what they relate to, which is technology. I think that technology should only be used as a tool; it should not replace a teacher. Teachers need to learn the right ways of adopting technology into their classroom to be able to obtain the must benefit from it. I also liked that the video motivated teachers not to be afraid of trying new forms of teaching.
This video was a perfect representation of the evolution of students as technology has grown. The amount of technology our students are exposed to and are so proficient with. I honestly don't see my students being successful in my classroom without technology. But I also don't see them being successful without some 'traditional' instruction. Especially within my content area, I feel there has to be a balance between the use of technology and traditional instruction in order for the students to best learn the material. Students did learn before all of the recent technology was established.
The new era of the "digital kid" may be shocking to older people who were taught in traditional school settings before technology was available. Now more than ever our students are coming into the classroom maybe even more prepared than their teachers. I agree with Tom that students would not be as successful in the classroom without technology. They can all relate to it in some way and it would be good to incorporate it into the classroom. It should never replace traditional education but it will definitely enhance it.
I would look to involve "digital kids" in the classroom by having them try out various types of technologies and interactive activities. It is clear that this generation is growing up technologically advanced, and the classroom is a great oppurtunity to peak their interest and productivity. It is important for the teacher to incorporate methods of teaching that help all student succeed, and for digital kids, that method is through technology.
I really enjoyed this video on "digital kids." There are so many amazing and diverse ways to incorporate technology into our teaching. As teachers we need to make sure that what we are presenting to our students is in a matter that they will understand and relate to. Like the video showed - students don't learn in the same way anymore. As teachers we need to change our instruction of teaching to meet our students needs. I like how the video pointed out that we need to continue "to grow" with technology in our classrooms.
However, in order for this to happen I think schools and districts need to make sure they provide regular workshops on current trends in technology for their faculty. In order for teachers to be able to use the technology effectively, they too must be educated!
I agree with what Patrick said. Today, kids are growing up with different technology. It is really important to integrate technology into the classroom because it is great to integrate the students with the technology that they already know.Using technology in the classroom is a good way for the students to engage in the lessons instead of just straight lecture. Jaime
This video showed me that in order to motivate and involve these students in today's world we need to as teachers use technology in the classroom. These "digital" kids know a lot more than we do today and we need to keep up with them and incorporate this into our lessons. Luckily for us teachers there are many workshops and activities that will help us prepare for the up and coming technological world. There are many ways to incorporate technology into any kind of lesson.
While the video outlines the many forms of technology available to the students, I am still a fan of pencils and notebooks for homework. The depictions of boredom are unjustly associated with the traditional classroom. Teaching, from what I have observed, and experienced, speaking primarily as a student, is all in the delivery. A good education will take place in an environment that is safe, comfortable, and task oriented. That being said, technology is a must, however it needs to be moderated. Sooner or later, the human element may be removed from learning all together.
We need technology in our classroom. I think many of the things we discuss weekly need to be used to get in touch and in tune with this digital generation. Blogs, Wikis, Webquests, virtual classrooms, audiobooks, etc. If we dont use technology we will loose our students attention and their time engaged will fall drastically. Technology is everywhere, and we aren't going to grow out of it- at this point it is better to embrace it than to ignore it. And adding technology to the classroom is fun! and different! Colleen F
I think technology is a very important part of teaching in today's classrooms. Teachers must learn how to use various forms of technology because it is something that the students can relate to, and can be a great motivator.It may be difficult for people who have been teaching for a long time to get used to using technology in the classroom, but it is very important! -Christine S.
The first point to mention is that I think that soundtrack was hilarious!
I would engage digital students in the classroom by giving every student a labtop. My cousin was a student of private schools in florida and her entire carrer in school she was provided a labtop. I believe this gave her an opportunity to be as digital as possible. Also she was doing this around the year 2000. Now with the smart board everyone can hook up to the internet within the classroom. The first main steps I believe we need to do is make the internet avaialable to students in every classroom.
Currently with this financial crisis I believe that the goals of the schools to pay back monies will overwhelm them and cause them to stray away from the digital era.
This video made me think about my own education growing up. The grammar school classroom pictures of the past in this video looked more like my grammar school and high school years and that was only 5-10 years ago. It's amazing how much the student has changed in such little time with the advancement of technology.
One of my students has a speech problem and his parents just bought him a special iPod that he can record voices onto and so that they can run speech programs to have him more familiar with the excercises. Also, an iPod is much less obtrusive than a Dynavox or other speech devices that students carry around.
In dealing with older students with special needs, the advancement of bluetooth technology can help a student become more independent in the community. A teenager can walk into a store and buy something while his or her instructor stands outside prompting him via the phone/blue tooth.
Technology can help in the general ed classroom setting too as we have seen in all of these blog posts this semester. Technology should be integrated into the classroom because it not only makes lessons more interesting, but it also reaches out to the students we are teaching who truly are digital kids.
I agree with David that the cost of technology and digital tools is something to consider when wanting to incorporate the equipment into the classroom, especially in the recession we are so often reminded about.
I also think John G makes a good point that we can't let technology take over education. Teaching is a craft and we must develop good deliverance methods to engage our students on all levels, and not just let technology take over every aspect and hope it does the job we are being asked to do. I get scared when people say they dream of classrooms with only computers and no pencils and paper because kids are writing less and less now, and what will happen the day the computers crash and the students can't take notes or function on their own. While technology is going nowhere, it is also important to remember basic skills and learning without technology are equally important.
I believe anything involving technology is the way to engage kids on the classroom. Its what they know, understand, and enjoy. Webquests, games, videos are the new tools we, as teahcers, can use to rech out to the students. The more i look at these blog videos, the more i feel we are becoming part of the matrix. However, this is the new wave and there is no way from stopping this tsunami from coming.
I do feel that digital technology in the classroom is engaging for students and may make classroom instruction easier. I agree with Jennifer when she says, when used appropriately, technology will allow teachers to not only differentiate their lessons but it will also definitely accommodate their students' needs and learning styles better. I agree with Kim when she says technology is a very important part in stimulating the interest in students. It is very important to me to keep my students engaged and to enjoy learning at all times. - Megan D
This video is definitely a call to all teachers to realize that our students are much more tech savvy than ever. Appropriate and meaningful training has to take place in order to address the fact that beyond the classroom our students are engaging in high speed information exchanging. We have to as teachers be able to utilize the technologies that our students will one day be using in everyday life in our classrooms so that they can be competitive with students from other countries.
I found this video clip to be very interesting. It clearly demonstrates how kids today are different from kids from previous generations and how this affects they way these children become engaged and interested in the classroom. As a future teacher, I believe it is necessary to integrate technology into the classroom because it is interactive, engaging and relevant to the children. However, I agree with John G. who said "technology is a must however it needs to be moderated." It believe it is important to still have classrooms with human interactions and teachers who can deliever effective lessons with and without the use of technology. This video does not address the cost of technology as well as the importance of having technology trained teachers. Kristina B.
Schools have really changed in just a matter of a few years. Students are really involved with technology both in and outside of the classroom. I think teachers need to be open to the technology as well. Technology will allow our students to be more involved in the classroom and more interested in what they are learning on a daily basis.
Many of our kids now are "digital kids" and this is something that teachers must keep up with. Technology does have a place in the classroom and I feel that technology is a good thing for everyone in the classroom. The technology may make it easier for the teachers and will make it more interesting for the students. I feel as a teacher, I need to keep up with the times and keep myself informed about new technologies and learn how to use them as well.
I agree with Jackie that techno logy has changed and that our students and future students we have will continue to be involved with technology in and outside of the classroom. Teachers do need to be open more to technology but I hope that it will not “take over” the classroom. Teacher’s can use technology to assist their lessons but hopefully it will stop there. “Digital kids” are the students we are dealing with in our classrooms and teachers need to ensure they are tech savvy as well. I want to be the best teacher and able to teacher my students about the changes in education, however, I do not want techno logy to take over my class. I want to use technology as guide to student success; I do not want technology to guide me. Theresa Klee
I defiantly agree that time have changed into a technology based society. I absolutely agree that technology should be brought into the classrooms with students. Students need to learn the different things that are out there and how to find accurate information on various topics; also how to decipher the facts from the garbage that is posted on the internet now-a-days. There are so many different things out there, but it can also be dangerous. In teaching technology in the classroom, there needs to be rules set because children tend to want to wander and find different things that may be inappropriate. I am definitely for technology, but I also think that children can learn from all different types of teaching. I believe hands-on teaching is very effective, so along with using some technology in the classroom, there are other ways to engage students where they are not bored and wandering.
I agree with both Jackie and Theresa that schools have changed because of technologically advances in the past few years. Students have incorporated today’s technology into their everyday lives. Therefore it is important for teachers to constantly incorporate technology into their classrooms. If teachers incorporate technology on a more regular basis, the students will be more interested and involved in their education. On a daily basis the teachers of today deal with the “digital kids” of today. Technology is an asset for the classrooms of today, however I do not want technology to replace me. It is a great tool to assist in student success, but it is not the only thing that students need to be able to learn.
I do believe that the classroom as well as the student are changing, however I did not necessarily agree with the video. I think it was very negative toward traditional teaching. I think technology is necessary in the classroom, but it is not the only thing that will keep students engaged. I think a a lot, if not all of the technology based tools would be useful in the classroom, and I myself would use them. I think children today are much more technology saavy and I think teachers need to keep up with the technology, especially in their classrooms. Other than the negativity toward paper and pencils, I thought the video was somewhat useful Christina A
I would attempt to use diverse types of technology in the classroom ranging from youtube to google earth to podcasts. Anything to give the students a change from the books and pen and paper note taking. However, technology can't take over the classroom altogether. Textbooks and Power Point presentations have their place in the classroom with some other technology infused will help students learn.
While I agree technology should be incorporated in the classroom, it shouldn't be the only learning tool in the classroom. Not all work is going to be done on computers. Students shouldn't be coddled to. Using technology to make a lesson interesting should be as important as reading a book or writing an answer in a notebook. Students generally don't like homework. Putting the work on a web page on in a blog are good ways to getting students to do the work while they surf the web. If the assignments are fun, interesting and educational the students will do them with pen and paper or on a computer. Nick Maggio
AGAIN, ANOTHER TERRIFIC VIDEO! MY CHILD IS DEFINETLY A DIGITAL KID. I THINK IT I GREAT, HOWEVER, I THINK IT IS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE BASIC SKILLS THAT REQUIRE A PEN, PAPER AND A DICTIONARY. THE USE OF DIGITAL EQUIPMENT TO MOTIVATE, ENHANCE A LESSON/PROJECT IS WONDERFUL. KIDS LOVE IT AND SO DO TEACHERS, BUT WHEN I GET A STUDENT AND THERE ARE MANY WHO CAN'T USE A DICTIONARY, IT BOTHERS ME. I ALWAYS SAY AND AGREE THAT TOO MUCH OF ANYTHING IS NOT A GOOD THING.
After looking at this video it is easy to see how much the education has changed in just a few years. Students today are brainwashed ti the idea of technology because it is now the only way they know. They do not realize that people did not once rely on other things, like creativity and the human mind. I think that technology is effective for student learning because it is what they are used to and know. However, i think that if students are exposed to teachers' creativity and their own creativity they are still able to learn just as much. I think that technology has taken over in education and every day life because of the way it is growing so quickly.
However, if I were to use technology in the classroom, there are number of things i could use, like smartboards, class blogs, you tube videos, goole earth, and the list goes on. Diana M.
I think technology is important to integrate into the classroom. Children should use what they know and now, this is what they know. It is not a bad thing, however, it should be used effectively. I do not think that all a classroom should be is a world of technology. I would use smart boards, computers, and videos to enhance learning. I would still like it incorporate the reading, writing and creativity in school that does not use technology. Hands-on projects, journals and science labs do not have to be done with technology. Children are still children and they can use their minds (as well as their fingertips for typing or clicking) to learn.
I really enjoyed the intensity of the video(lol). The background music, as opposed to a narrator, makes the message being presented come across with greater effectiveness. The visuals were great. I liked how the video started with photos of classrooms many decades ago. It makes you think about how different everything was. I understand the importance of incorporating technology into the classroom and I plan to do so whenever I see fit in my lesson plans. Childrens lives nowadays seem to revolve around technology. Changing times includes the need for changing instruction. The more children are engaged, the more they will learn, chances are without realizing.
I agree with Bobby,watching this video makes me realize how much things have changed in the classroom in such a short period of time. I love the music and the visual images. The classroom has changed in the way it looks and even how the students dress. What we are encountering today, is a battle to update technology in the classrooms to engage the students. It is a hard job to keep their attention, however teachers need to adapt to change, styles, and grow to teach. -Jennifer Sandoval
This video makes a great point, and I agree that we need to change with the times as teachers. In my school it is a requirement that teachers implement the use of technology in every lesson. I agree that is does keep the kids interested in what they are learning. However, I worry that students become to enwrapped in the technology and lose sight of the point of the lesson. For example, in my class I have the students come to the smart board to move boxes or answer questions, but sometimes I fee that they are not really paying attention and are simply volunteering so they can come up to the board. My solution, I require that they answer the question if they wan to come up and it works for the most part. Technology is kind of like a double edge sword for teachers and students. Jamie D
Katherine makes a great point and I agree. What good is technology if the person using it to teach doesn’t know the material or almost worse, doesn’t like the material they are teaching? While I am excited about technology in the class and I feel it is necessary to include I also feel that the kids need to be excited about the material to really understand it. Think about yourself, do you remember what you didn’t enjoy learning? On the other hand, think about what you do remember learning in high school, what was it and why do you remember? Chances are you remember it because you liked it not necessarily because it dealt with technology. My point is that we need to keep in mind that we’re only using technology as a medium and the lesson is still the objective. The students need to be excited about what they are learning. Jamie D
First off, I want to say how powerful I thought that video was. The music, the photographs, and the words were very meaningful. When actually seeing the photos of how much the students and classrooms have changed from then till now, it really puts things in perspective. When thinking of how much kids are relying on technology and incorporating it into their lifestyle, its amazing to think that many students today are NOT when they are in school. I absolutely agree with the video. If students are using computers then why are we making them use pencils for homework? In a perfect world, every student would have their own laptop for school, but in today’s society, not every district/family has the opportunity to do that. To blame the lack of technology use solely on teacher’s, is not fair. Yes, I do agree that teachers need to be educated and up-to-date in the use of technology for the benefit of students, but sometimes the resources cannot be provided.
This video shows how teachers must adapt to "digital kids" so that students are engaged in class. I think as a young person getting ready to enter the field of teaching, I will definatley use technology and the resources listed in this video in all of my classes. However I also agree with Nick in that technology should not be the only means in which we teach our students. The proven methods of the past can still be sucessful in todays schools. I feel that a mixture of technology and older methods is the best way for students to learn. -Thomas Mehldau
The video shows the transformation of educating students. In today classroom, the students are digital when it comes to learning. The effects in the video were very inspiring to show what teacher can use internet base technology for teaching instead of boring textbooks, notebooks, and pencils. I would want to use technology in my classroom to educate the students, but I must agree with Amanda not every district or family has the opportunity of affording a computer. To make every lesson solely on the internet would be an unfair advantage for those students and make them feel left out from their peers. In my classroom, I would engage the digital kids by using more technology based assignments on the smart board and if my district has laptops, I will make my students create power points, publisher, and hotlist for projects. As the video mention, we need to evolve with this generation of students when it comes to educating the students with technology. It does not mean we forget the past method of educating or students but we need to find ways of incorporating technology as well.
I thought the video was very interesting. It definitely opens your eyes to understand that you are going to have students in your class that are very interested in, and focused on technology and digital tools. To help engage these students, I would always make it an option to do assignments on the computer. If a student can produce the assigned project or task on a computer program, then that would be fine with me. I agree with Christina A, though, when she says that the article kind of puts down traditional teaching methods. I also believe that traditional teaching methods are very important and the basis of teaching. I am a very traditional teacher, and I use technology when necessary, when I think it would be beneficial, and to motivate students. I do not use it all the time. Just like I have to conform to these digital learners, I must conform to all my other types of learners as well. So everyday is a struggle trying to meet all the styles and needs of each individual child, but then again, thats part of being a teacher...and I love being a teacher.
Technology is the cornerstone of the modern day classroom. I have already at some point used most of the learning tools shown in the video and i try to incorporate them as much as possible. The abundance of technological devices available to us are numerous and we must make sure we take full advantage of them. The future is now and we must sure we are prepared to teach these digital kids. -Kamaal H
This video shows how we, as teachers, need to have the open mind to adapt to the new era of students. Students these days are, for the most part, technologically savvy. They need to be academically challenged in ways that may not be familiar to us. We, as teachers, need this reminder to understand that we have an obligation to adapt to all the different learning styles and technological advances available to us today. -Cynthia Q-B.
Kids younger and younger are going to be exposed to the benefits of technological advances at home so why not capitalize on that in the classroom? The students that will have grown up with all of this new wave technology will be more prepared to use it in the classroom setting and as teachers we should be prepared for that.
This video made me realize how different classroom environments have become. Back than children focused on everything hands on and now in todays society there is so much more to offer a child using technology. I do not think it is a bad thing to allow a child to see ways using technology and ways without technology because this atmosphere helps enhance his or her knowledge. It is important to make sure to teach the children how to use both ways in a classroom and not just focus on one more than the other.
The main goal of this video was to show the importance of adapting to the times and therefore integrating technology into the classroom. I completely agree with that statement, that teachers need to keep up with the times in order to teach to the best of their ability and be able to teach effectively towards these “digital kids”. Even though this video was short and a bit overly dramatic, I did however still pick up some new ideas that I never knew before such as Animato.com. After seeing this source in the video I decided to try it out, and it is definitely a cool way to compose all of your videos and pictures that you could utilize in the classroom! While watching this video I thought that it pointed out some excellent points as I said before. However, there were some things that I think the video is missing, in that I believe that most teachers ARE keeping up and adapting to these modern times. With the introduction of Smart Boards into the classroom, teachers are become more technical savvy and are taking great strides into integrating the technology. Blogs, Glogger, vokis, audacity, are some of the easiest ways to integrate technology into the classroom and I learned all of those sources through my previous teachers. I agree that technology is needed in the classroom, but I also agree that most of the teachers out there are aware and are making their adjustments. Technology is the future, and from this day forward it is only going to become more prevalent both in the classroom and the world.
I totally agree with this video that we must change our teaching styles to engage students who have grown up surrounded by technology. It shows some great suggestions on how to use technology to engage students. I definitely want to start to incorporate more technology into my classroom. Right now I have a smart board that I use everyday for notes and videos. I can and should try to find new, creative, and fun ways to make my lessons more interesting for students. One part of the video that I don't fully agree with is the fact that they suggest we don't need pencils or paper anymore. Maybe in the future classrooms will be completely technology based but I do not think we are fully there yet. Schools do not have enough access to technology to this at this time. Jamie F
I would use technology in the classroom that the students and engage in. But watching this video makes me realize how much things have changed in the classroom in such a short period of time. The video clip did a great job in summarizing what is going on with our students today, what is wrong with our method of teaching, and what needs to be done in order to teach them more effectively. steph s
I agree that this video shows in many ways how education has changed over the last couple of decades. I think that all teachers should be able to teach to the time period, and agree with jamie that their are alot of new ways that even I didn't know about until watching this video about how to teach with some of those newer websites. Many students today need newer types of motivation and learning in a classroom and teachers must recognize that to teach them effectively. Tom G
I agree with the video's stance that, as teachers, we must adjust. We have to try and fail and try again to reach our students. Technology is here, and to infuse it into lessons and pedagogy is not simply the bells and whistles -it is preparing our students for their future. Technology is a motivating and engaging tool. While I believe that students' attention spans are decreasing due to the immediate feedback they are used to in their lives, through DVRs and Netflix, through email and texts, through Facebook and instant messaging, it is the reality of life today. In order to best prepare out students, we must embrace innovative tools. ~Cindy A.
I agree with this video that we must change the way we teach to engage students. Having been in many classrooms as an substitute aide I have seen many teachers, some good and some not so good. The ones who use technology engage the students more. If the students are not engaged they are not motivated to learn. Right now, state tests are still given on paper to be written in long hand. This is reason I think students do need to be able to work this way also. Jackie A.
I would engage digital kids in the classroom by using various forms of technology within each lesson. I think technology has become more evident in the classroom and as highlighted in the video, just as technology has hanged the way our students learn has also changed. The amount of technological resources available to our students is limitless.
I plan on incorporating technology into my classroom for various reasons. As a future social studies teacher, there are many resources available online pertaining to many historical events. I would use google maps to show students battle fields and the geography of the regions in which the unit was focusing. Also there are many videos available of first hand events and speeches, and even many sites which provide virtual tours of historic sites.
Technology provides many great resources and techniques to engage students in the classroom, and as technology changes so do our students. Therefore it is important that teachers learn to adapt and use the technologies available to their students.
I agree that the advancements we have seen in technology over the past 50 years have increased teachers' ability to reach students. The video is put together well, sends a strong message, and makes some very good points, but not many that weren't obvious already - no one will argue that the students from 50 years ago look or act the same as students today.
My strongest objection was to the point that we shouldn't have students use pencils and paper to do their homework. I don't think that it should be all pencil and paper, but I also don't think it should be all computers either; we need balance. Handwriting is an essential part of developing a child's brain, and taking that away will only limit the child. It's true that we need to teach students how to use the technology that's at their disposal, but that's what technology is - it is disposable. In 5 years the technology they learned to use today will be different and they will continually be re-learning how to use it, but one thing that will not change is the ability to physically write and create.
I would use some technology to engage the digital kids in my classroom. With technology advancing we can have more access to it in the classroom and in a science class we can use it to our advantage. We can use more advanced microscopes, computer simulations, and look at current research and data that scientists have been doing in the field. I agree with Elizabeth that even though technology could replace teachers they are still a crucial part of the learning experience. THe role of the teacher may change from a direct instructor to more of a guide helping students to find the right mode of learning. James S.
The video is very intriguing because it shows how technology has changed the style of learning and the classroom over time. Technology has become such an important aspect for teaching and engaging students that it is quite hard these days to each without technology. The most amazing part in the classroom that I have witnessed is the Smart Board. The smart board was never used when I was in high school about 5 years ago and it amazes me. It is basically a computer on the screen in front of the class that engages students in learning. Technology has become such a part in every day life for most people that teaching without technology just would not engage students and would not be helpful in any way. -Katie C.
This video provided its viewers with a better understanding of how school, the curriculum, and methods of teaching have changed throughout society. While I do believe technology should play an integral role in the classroom to motivate and engage students, I do not believe it should be the only method of teaching used. Students must be engaged in various ways in order to learn best and understand concepts and material that is unfamilar to them. While readin the posts of my colleagues, I agree with Kathleen and believe that "technology has a place in education today, but at what age it should be introduced, and for what purposes it should be used needs to be scrutinized carefully."
I almost entirely disagree with this video. I don't think technology is the answer to all the problems in education and i think people are better educated without the use of technology. That's not to say that technology can't add to a lesson positively but i think there are other ways of teaching, without using technology, that can engage students. Students love hands on learning and moving around the classroom. Students don't know how to do simple math or spell simple words, due to the use of technology. I undertsand that as a teacher of the 21st century i will have to incorporate technology into the classroom but i will also incorporate other ways of insturction into my classroom as well. -Danielle Cavallo
I thought the message from the youtube video is very relevant to students in our classrooms. A lot of students these days would rather type a paper as opposed to writing it with a pencil. I like the idea of blogging for a homework assignment. It is the same for this class, our homework is of expanding our minds instead of practicing something that was gone over in class.
The ways I would engage digital students in the classroom would be by incorporating the internet, computers and other digital technology into my lessons as well as home work assignments. There are so many ways to do this and so many assignments that we have done just in this class alone all online and through computers and videos and programs. Only constant in the world is change and we should change with the times to keep up with the kids and reach them by any means necessary. Whether it be hotlists, youtube, brainpop, webquests, research projects, IWB, and things of that nature. As a social studies major I like the idea of interactive maps and things like that as well as videos.
The music and opening photos of this video really caught my attentions. No, students DO NOT look like they used to. It's an interesting way to put it.. why would they learn the same way they used to then? It truly is a job of a teacher--one with a lot of work to it--to learn how to keep our students' attention when they are digital kids.
I, like Kim C. said, did not have any of the classroom technology that today's students are privileged with! It really does take more effort to incorporate technology when it does not come naturally as so many other teaching skills do. I love to keep my students entertained with the use of an iPad. They love it, and really do pick up on things quickly.
131 comments:
I would use technology in the classroom that the students and engage in. It would be interactive lesson where they would have to get out of their seats to participate in. When you have children sitting all day and watching a screen and not interacting they grow bored and uninterested. All children today are very familiar with technology, we must use it in our classroom as a teaching tool. other wise we will not be able to motivate them to learn.
Jeanette brown
The attached video is somewhat negative and a little like the lament of a teacher who fears falling behind the times. We have to use technology in the classroom. Audiobooks for iPods. web quests. Information available through other forms of digital media. Blogs, personal and for class. All of these are solutions. At the same time, becoming engaged in content also requires the enthusiasm of a knowledgeable teacher and content presented in a way that keeps it interesting. It's not technology that will solve the problem, its how it's used and with what degree of interest. Katherine Dalton
Watching this video makes me realize how much things have changed in the classroom in such a short period of time. I graduated high school only 5 years ago and im sure the students now know a lot more about technology than I do. They probably have much more knowledge about smartboards and other new educational technology that I am trying to learn how to use. It makes my job that much more important to try and reach these kids on a level that they understand.
The video clip did a great job in summarizing what is going on with our students today, what is wrong with our method of teaching, and what needs to be done in order to teach them more effectively. I felt that the clip was so relevant because I know that the students that I'll be teaching will be "digital kids" as well. This means that I, as the teacher must adapt and learn to integrate technology more readily if I want to engage my students and improve my lessons. There are so many resources available online that can help us as teachers, so shouldn't we familiarize ourselves with them take advantage of them as much as possible? I know that NCLB subjects many teachers to "teach to the test." However, that should not be the reason why teachers resort to traditional pencil and paper methods. When used appropriately, technology will allow teachers to not only differentiate their lessons but also accommodate their students' needs and learning styles better. I believe that ultimately that's what we as teachers need to do- continue learning ourselves so that we can better meet the needs of our students and make learning fun, relevant and interactive for them.
The video clip did a great job in summarizing what is going on with our students today, what is wrong with our method of teaching, and what needs to be done in order to teach them more effectively. I felt that the clip was so relevant because I know that the students that I'll be teaching will be "digital kids" as well. This means that I, as the teacher must adapt and learn to integrate technology more readily if I want to engage my students and improve my lessons. There are so many resources available online that can help us as teachers, so shouldn't we familiarize ourselves with them and take advantage of them as much as possible? I know that NCLB subjects many teachers to "teach to the test." However, that should not be the reason why teachers resort to traditional pencil and paper methods. When used appropriately, technology will allow teachers to not only differentiate their lessons but also accommodate their students' needs and learning styles better. I believe that ultimately that's what we as teachers need to do- continue learning ourselves so that we can better meet the needs of our students and make learning fun, relevant and interactive for them.
While I think technology is a great way to get students interested in the classroom, I fear that for some it is adding to the frustraiting divide between the haves and the have nots. Long Island is very unique in its demographics and vast range in economic status. I see this even within the same school district. While the use of technology might motivate some students who are familiar with it, for those who are not familiar, they are now at even more of a disadvantage. I'm hesitant!
Nicole R.
I strongly believe that technology has a place in education today, but at what age it should be introduced, and for what purposes it should be used needs to be scrutinized carefully. In the elementary grades word processing should never replace the fundamentals of language arts; reading, writing, penmanship, grammar, and literacy. Pen and paper must still be used to some extent to acquire these necessary skills. Using machinery to supplement language arts, and as assistive support in other areas of the curriculum such as science, math, art , and social studies can enhance learning and should be used as a reward for "hard work". The value of “hard work”, i.e. old fashioned learning styles without technology should not be lost on this younger generation of “digi kids”, because as history shows us, knowing from whence things came and why things are they way they, are invaluable tools in thinking and reasoning. Using technology in the middle grades must also be monitored carefully for abuses such as plagiarizing, cheating, cyber bullying, and mishandling of time. High school and colleges must educate the student population in responsible and moral technology usage; so that these leaders of tomorrow never mislead and rob the public (with the help of technology) the way the first wave of leaders with access to, but limited understanding of, technology have. Educators have a huge responsibility incorporating technology in the classroom.
Kathleen M.
Martha D.
Today’s classroom is very different from one 10-15 years ago. Technology makes classroom instruction easier. The possibilities of resource information are endless. As a teacher one needs to make learning fun and interactive with students. These days that means you have to take advantage of the technological advancements available to you. There are many reasons why technology integration in the classroom has become increasingly a vital tool for instruction. The student is actively making choices about how to generate, obtain, manipulate, or display information. Technology use allows students to be actively thinking about information, making choices, and executing skills than is typical in teacher led lessons. Moreover, when technology is used as a tool to support students in performing authentic tasks, the students are in the position of defining their goals, making design decisions, and evaluating their progress.
Integrating technology into the classroom opens the doors many different possibilities for students and teachers. As many of my classmates have stated technology makes learning more enjoyable and accessible. Technology allows instruction to be more “student” directed and less “teacher” directed. This is essential because it allows students to feel empowered, thus allowing student to engage in relevant inquiry. Teachers can also use technology as a tool for motivating students to gain knowledge through an interactive and engaging manner. As you can see, there are numerous possibilities for integrating technology into the classroom.
K.Boodram
I thought that this video was informative and interesting to watch. It made me think back to when I was a student in elementary school and junior high, and I began to recall the different techniques my teachers used to present their information. Even though it wasn't many years ago, technology has come a long way since then. When I was a student in elementary school and even junior high, we didn't have nearly the amount of access to technology as we have now! I remember the simple things, such as the overhead projector and computer labs (no computers in the classroom!). There really wasn't much else in the technology department to stimulate us (the students). Today we have access to all kinds of technology such as Smart Boards, computers/laptops, Internet access, stereos, DVD's, etc. to use with our students. I believe that technology is a very important part in stimulating the interest in students because these students today have grown up in a technological world where they NEED to use technology to survive! Although technology has some drawbacks, on the whole it makes teaching and learning a lot more fun/productive.
Kim C.
I thought this video really put technology and the age we live in, into perspective. It sounds cliché to say “it’s the way of the future,” but in fact it is. As I watched the clips in the video of the planes I thought how interesting it must have been to be around when airplanes first came about and people first started using them to travel. In a similar way, the digital age we are living in, is much like that. We are newly immersed into a world where technology is a way of life. As a result, it is becoming increasingly important to keep up with the latest technology trends and use them as important educational tools. – Colleen Corrigan
I would engage digital kids in the classroom by embracing the technology that has been given to us and utilizing it to the furthest extent I can. It is important to incorporate even a little bit of technology in every lesson. Digital children quickly find themselves dazing off into space during lessons in which require students to read from the textbook or listen and take notes from a lecture, myself included! By using a smartboard or slideshow to present material educators are able to appeal to digital learners tactile, visual, kinesthetic and auditory learning styles. I would also use technology to produce unit projects or for review games such as, jeopardy. Sites such as flikr and twitter are helpful in displaying visuals. Overall, the video clip shed a gloomy light upon today’s youth. While technology is great, it is taking away from the wholesomeness that once existed amongst Americas youngsters.
-CHRISTINA TRESCA
The video clip makes me realize how outdated my teaching is, what is wrong with our method of teaching and what should we do to grab the attention and focus of these digital kids. We have to integrate technology in our lesson plan. Not only the kids will be more focus but it will make the content more realistic.
Iffat
This is an eye opening video. The classroom of today is much different from those of even just 5 years ago. Technology is changing so fast and it is our job as educators to prepare students for the world after school. At the same time, we still need to focus on writing and grammar at the younger ages. These are skills that should not be thrown aside because we can not type.
In my classroom I would like to integrate technology daily. Using an interactive smart board for lessons and incorporating internet resources are just the beginning. I would like to use blogs and other websites for homework assignments. There is so much technology out there for us to use that we would be doing our students a disservice not utilizing it.
Theresa S.
Although some people might think that this video is negative in some ways, it is the harsh reality of today's society. If we want our students to learn the most they can, then we as future teachers need to adapt to THEIR world. I do not think that students should not read books anymore or write papers, but I do think that we need to incorporate technology the best we can and as much as we can, because that is the world we are living in.
-Caitlin Fox
This video had a humorous approach with relevant connections to the real world. We recognize failures due to ignorance in the past like our definate beliefs that the world was the flat center of the universe. A changing world needs to be learned by teachers in order for teachers to efficiently and effectively communicate with our students.
Adam M
I thought the video was very enlightning. it really brought to my attention the need for technology in the classroom. Standing in front of the class lecturing does not work anymore.We must use the technology daily in the classroom. Smartboards, student and teacher blogs, wiki's as well as the classroom computers must be incorporated in everyday curriculum.
Denise c.
I think that there are many ways to engage students in a lesson. I would absolutely use technology to engage students. I feel that a teacher just giving direct instruction to students is boring and not stimulating to students. I also feel that the video had a negative spin on it. There was one part of the video that asked why do we ask students to use pens/pencils, books and paper. Although the technological era is in full swing, I do believe that pen and paper still have a place in the education world.
Samantha C
I found the video clip to be very informative in an interesting way so as to engage teachers and potential educators to learn to use more engaging ways to inspire our students. I see how the old ways of strictly chalk and talk do not work in the classroom. Students need to be entertained in the classroom by using video clips, audio clips, smart boards, research on the internet, etc. I grew up in the era of chalk and talk and if we were lucky we got a transparency once in awhile but now I know that these old methods alone do not truly engage the students. I hope that I will always have lessons that will entice my students and have them looking forward to coming back to my class day after day.
Comments from Elizabeth C.
The question posed to us is "how would you engage digital kids in the classroom" and my immediate response is incorporate it in class lessons. This may be easy to say but the challenge is how to incorporate it in a fun and effective way where the student understands the instruction and doesn't see learning as a chore.
We as practioners of education must acknowledge that today's students are accustomed to having technology in all facets of their lives. They are surrounded by it in so many forms such as communication devices, entertainment,transportation modes,hospitals, supermarkets, banks, internet, etc. So, teachers also need to demonstrate to students that technology is part of school life such as in classrooms, extracurricular activities, libraries, and so on.
There is a multitude of techology tools that teachers can use but I will name just a few. They are webquest, microworlds, virtual and simulation software, and games. Simulation software can be particularly effective in the subjects of social studies and science. Students can obtain meaningful learning by imitating real things in life, experiment and explore ideas,concepts, and reflect on what they learned via a simulated environment. This approach is much more appealing to today's student rather than experiencing a monotone, direct lecture and reading aloud a passage from textbook.
When reading comments about this video from other students, I noticed a consistent statement stating that technology is important but it does not serve as a substitute for a teacher. I agree with this comment and I'd like to add that teachers need to stay up to date with technology as well as stay informed in what interests students in order to keep them motivated and want to continue to learn. We have a lot of work ahead of us but we need to remember why we became teachers and what is essentail to teaching students.
Students must be engaged in the learning process. Students’ do not want to learn through “teacher talk.” They find this extremely mundane and uninteresting. In order for today’s students to profit from learning, they must be active participants in developing their academic and social skills. Today’s students are going to excel in active participation by utilizing equipment and materials that they are most familiar with. These everyday tools are no longer physical but rather digital. The pencils, crayons, and books have been tossed to the side and replaced with Wikipedia, web sites, Google earth, United Streaming, Alta vista, yahoo, windows, and msn to just name a few. As time moves on, the world is changing. As teachers we cannot remain stagnant, we must change with it. In order to change, we must adapt to our students and meet their strengths. We need to use our student’s strengths to breathe success. In order to teach in 2009, one must breathe digital success.
-Marissa E.
I agree with Elizabeth. Even though technology is very important a teacher is still an essential part of the classroom. A classroom would not be able to function smoothly without a facilitator. The teacher needs to take on a strong facilitator role. The students and the digital world must work interactively together to succeed in this Information Age.
I agree with Elizabeth. Even though technology is very important a teacher is still an essential part of the classroom. A classroom would not be able to function smoothly without a facilitator. The teacher needs to take on a strong facilitator role. The students and the digital world must work interactively together to succeed in this Information Age.
-Marissa E
I think technology, when used correctly, can benefit any classroom. Students enjoy interacting with computers, SMART boards, etc., therefore, it is essential teachers incorporate technology into their daily lessons. I strongly believe a combination technology in the classroom will allow our students to learn and better understand various content material.
~Maryann R.
I agree with Elizabeth. Although technology is a great tool in classroom, a teacher is still needed to teach the class without the use of technology. I see no reason why students cannot use paper and pencil, and work out of a textbook, as well as be exposed to technology. The teacher is still an essential part of a student's life, emotionally and physically. Technology cannot change that!
~Maryann R.
As a teacher it is extremely important to bring technology into the classroom. In my own classroom, I find the students to be excited and engaged when technology is being used, rather than the standard chalkboard. I was lucky enough to received a Smartboard in my classroom about halfway through the school year. Once the Smartboard was put in and I started to create interactive lessons, student participation greatly increased. Just like the video shows, students are happy and excited when technology is being used because they grow up in an age that focuses on technology. I believe that all teachers need to try some way to integrate technology into the classroom - however small it might be at first.
Just like many of the other people here, I too agree with Elizabeth. Technology does not take the place of the teacher. In fact, there are many teachers that might rely too heavily on technology and shy away from the traditional teaching methods. That's not to say that technology does not enhance the learning process.
I think that Smart Boards are essential in the classroom today. I can see a complete difference in childrens attention and the way they interact when using the white board vs. using a text book. You Tube can be a great resource for teachers as well. I think that the more technology used in the classroom the more engaged students will be in each lesson.
-Jackie R.
I agree with Jackie. By using technology in the classroom students are more engaged in learning and they are more motivated to learn.
-Jackie R.
I think this video did an excellent job of pointing out that we are in a different age of teaching. I have to admit when I am teaching I feel like I have to complete with the stimuli that video games and computers provide my students. I am lucky enough to have a SMART board in my classroom and use it as much as I can through the day, but there are times where I teach the old fashion way and feel that I am losing my student’s interest. My students in first grade now know about as much as I do when it comes to computers. I believe that the paper and pencil technique, although out dated, is still an important tool to teach writing. It is our obligation as teachers to continue to update how we teach to reach our “Digital Students.” Hopefully one day there will be a computer in the classroom for each student.
Erin M.
This clip emphasizes not only the importance of technology in the classroom but also the need for educators to keep up with the growing trend. It is necessary for educators today to become more knowledgeable with the technology that's out there in order to inspire and engage students into each lesson. This clip made it obvious that "digital kids", the kids of today and the future are not going to be intrigued by a traditional blackboard lesson. I look forward to learning more about smartboard, powerpoint and other tools that I can use within my future classroom. -Kristen Ford
We live in the digital age and children have easily adapted to technology in their lives. Technology needs to be incorporated into classroom routines to enage and motivate students and enhance their learning experience. The constantly evolving new technologies are really just new tools to communicate and convey information and we as teachers need to know how to use them effectively. As for doing things the old fashioned way, with paper and pencil, I think it has its place. I believe it's useful in mathematics when students are learning a new concept. Sometimes it is important to know how an answer was derived and what it means not just what button to push to get it.
Patricia G.
Jackie's comments about her students being more engaged when using interactive technology as opposed to textbooks and lecture was a perfect example of the need to incorporate technology in the classroom. Today's students have grown accustomed to technology in their lives and expect it. It is up to teachers, as facilitators, to implement it effectively.
Aside from the eerie music, the idea of this video terrified me a little. Even though I had access to technology for most of my young life, very little of it was used throughout my educational experience in elementary school, middle school, and high school. Today, students cannot fathom an existence without access to video game systems, computer, internet, ipods, cell phones, etc. As a future teacher, it is somewhat scarey to think that technology is imperative to incorporate into educating students on a daily basis. Fortunately, most of us have been raised with access to all of these advancements and do not have to learn how to use new technology with no background. I can't imagine what it is like for an older teacher was not raised in the tech age.
I will constantly incorporate technology into my lessons; however, students must first learn to use the technology in a productive and safe way.
Melanie W
I thought this video was very interesting. I agree with its message that today's children (who grew up in the digital age) need to be exposed to technology in the classroom. It is an excellent complement to keep them engaged and interested learning.
On the other this video is obviously biased and fails to recognize the fact that students can still learn have fun without technology. It is the responsibility of the teacher to find a nice balanced medium.
Rick Wolfsdorf
Josh G says at length:
I don't exactly know where to begin commenting on this video.
The message is well taken, I agree we as educators need to do a better job of incorporating technology into our lesson design and delivery as well as other forms of instruction.
The video focused a lot on image and appearance. I am not sure why children with mohawks or farah fawcett(sp?) show us how to effectively use technology in education.
They chose images to couple with the dramatic music that seemed unfortunate to me. I believe whole heartedly in using technology, but I dont' question why we still use, for instance, books. I love books, books are great. I am not scared of them or using them for the rest of eternity, even in conjunction with other resources, technologically advanced or otherwise.
I agree with some previous comments that this video was not really geared toward people who are already tech savvy, literate etc. This video seems like it was designed to scare you into learning about technology if you believe it has no place in the classroom. I think it was a bit too polemic and inflammatory for me to really get on board.
I would engage digital kids in my classroom, depending on what grade they are in, in different ways.
If they are in the lower grades I would utilize pictures from flickr, and activities from various websites, in my motivation at the start of lessons.
If they are in grades 3-5 I would encourage them to use the computers within the classroom for various class work. Particularly for fifth grade, I would have the students "blog" their assignments at home. I would also have them incorporate music and pictures to various presentations for class that would be shown through the SmartBoard.
That being said, I would also have to balance the integration of technology with "traditional" classroom procedure, as I would be mandated to follow protocol as a new teacher. In addition, it is imperative to be mindful of the socioeconomic backgrounds of the students in order to ensure I am not alienating particular students that may not have the resources necessary to complete assignments integrating technology.
-Kelly M.
I agree with Josh G. that while I believe technology should be incorporated into the classroom, I do not believe technology should replace books.
I also love books and although some may believe that students no longer learn through "traditional" methods, I have 4 nieces and nephews that attend a private school that is still very "traditional" in its methodologies and resources, that would prove that statement wrong.
-Kelly M.
Like others who have written posts, I believe that it is important for teachers to integrate technology into the classroom because students nowadays have different styles of learning than those from previous generations. However, I believe that the use of technology should not take priority over the learning of content of the curriculum.
I found it a little odd that the video included Wikipedia and other unreliable sources as sources which teachers should use with students. It makes me feel that the creator of the video may not be entirely reliable.
Erin G.
This was an awesome video!! The kids we teach today are almost completely digital. If they perk up during conversations about video games then why don't we use more technology in our teaching?
First, I feel that the smart board is a huge breakthrough in teaching through technology. Most of the kids I teach are special ed students who come to life when technology is used to teach a lesson. Even a simple power point grabs their attention. Imagine if more was used.
I agree with Kelly when it comes to using blogging as part of their homework assignments. I think that paper graphic organizers should be subsituted with an interactive smart board graphic organizer. I would also encourage debates through blogging.
I would set up a blog or some sort of computer communication device where they would have to communicate with students from other classes and schools to discuss topics.
There is so much that technology can be used for in teaching that the sky is really the limit.
I agree with the comments below. I think that technology in the classroom is very useful and good for students because it's a fun, interacting way of learning. Also since technology is always being updated, it's good for students and teachers to be up to date with the newest technologies. I think students will want to learn more when they can visit hands on websites and use the smart board and other updated technology like that.
-Michele D.
I would use technology in the classroom that both students and teachers could engage in. Students today rely on their computers, ipods, tvs, and video games to entertain them. The video did an excellent job of pointing out that we are in a different age of teaching. I also agree with Josh in that educators do need to do a better job of incorporating technology into our lesson design and delivery as well as other forms of instruction. When I was in school the library had the computers and maybe one or two in a room. In my classroom now we have labtops for the students.
-Kristina T
I thought the video was awesome! Kids today are truly in an digital age.
As I have previously stated in the last blog, when any means of technology are brought into the classroom, students become automatically engaged and are curious as to how they can relate to the subject at hand.
I too have to agree with Annemarie based on the idea surrounding homework blogging and converting graphic organizers online.
If you are in a school district that can afford to have many computers in a classroom, students can upload and display their work for their fellow students to see on a smart board or projector.
From talking with the librarian from my school, he had gone to a seminar at a local private school where all the textbooks and notes were all on a thumb drive. All the students needed were their drives everyday in class and use laptops.
Although this would be extremely ideal for all schools, I believe that will be eventually where we are heading as we get farther and farther into the digital age.
For the vast majority of us teachers who were born at the beginning of the computer age, it is exciting to see ways we can make teaching our lessons easier and more enjoyable.
- Dominique M
Using technology in the classroom is a benefit for all parties involved. However, it can only work when a teacher knows how to correctly use whatever type of technology they are using. For instance, a teacher at the high school I work at recently held a conference where she was going to teach fellow teachers about the use of PowerSchool. PowerSchool is the program we use to post grades, comments, and allows students to keep up to date with absences. However, the teacher could not figure out how to get the WhiteBoard working, nor could she show us how to properly use PowerSchool. This example shows us two things. First, that teachers need to learn themselves how to use certain aspects of technology. It is hard, especially if you are unfamiliar with them. Secondly, it proves that technology can also let us down at times. We expect everything to go smoothly, but sometimes things can go wrong, like they did here.
I believe technology in classrooms is a great idea, as long as the teacher is well educated and the students are responsive to it. As time continues, technology will only become more and more prevalent in schools.
Daniel Nelson
I agree with Ricky, in regards to the fact that this short little clip is as biased as they come. In fact, it seemed like it was just bashing those who didn't teach with the use of technology.
I feel that it is essential to both new and old teachers to educate themselves on new technology. Whether individuals like it or not technology is and will continue to be seen more and more in the classroom as time progresses. I feel that teachers even ones like myself that are computer savy should continue to educate themselves on new technology and ensure that they are keeping up with the newest and most in-date sources of technology.
Although I agree with many of the comments in regard to technology not all being positive. I do feel that it has a lot more positives then negatives in that it truly can enhance a classroom dramatically. Students become so motivated when technology is used in the classroom and it gets them excited and shows a great deal of enthusiasm towards learning.
I agree with Jennifer that old teachers as wellas new teachers need to be educated in technology. Even if it is not a personal prefferenct for teaching the students really do benefit from a variety of technology daily. Although technology is a great thing to intergrate into your lessons it also needs to be closely regulated. Students need to understand the rules and guidelines for using technology.
Erin M.
I love this video. It really captures the flux that we as educators are experiencing. As the video shows we as educators have to adapt and change. If technology is going to keep our students focused and help them to learn and survive in our society, then accept it and use it to your advantage. Change is inevitable and it is always best to embrace it instead of fighting it.
I wish some of today's technology would have been available when I was a young one. It definitely would have made my math and science classes more interesting.
I also agree with Elizabeth in that technology is in all aspects of our daily life and as such it should be used in our classrooms to teach children that it is important not only as entertainment but also as a learning tool.
To respond to Josh's inquiry about the use of Farrah Fawcett's image and the other hair styles: Each of the hairdos shown were controvercial in their time. They were a sign of change and many people had a very had time accepting the new do's while others raced to change their style. These images just establish a pattern that whe change emerges, resistence is there but many adapt and integrate the change into their community. The images were there as a representation of change not as a way of engaging us to use technology.
Integrating technology into the classroom is very important to teachers and students. Technology makes learning more enjoyable and fun for students as well as teachers. Students recall more information if they are apart of what they are learning. Teachers can also use technology as a tool for motivating students. Technology is very important.
-Michele D.
The video is a great piece. It shows a very important take on technology in the classroom or teaching field. The video is right in saying that things have changed. As teachers and educators we must be willing to evolve and incorporate these modern ways and technologies into our lessons and curriculums. This video shows just how important it is becoming to step away from some of the more out dated methods of teaching and into the digital era by incorporating cutting edge technology in an area that needs a change. The students would benefit greatly because it would motivate them to try something new. It will also give some technology a good standing place in the academic world. This would be a helpful way to help get more traditional educators on board and help evolve the learning process so the children would once again be able to be excited about learning. The only downside I see to the digital student is the cost of some of the technology.
Kim K.
Obviously the use of technology is opening up new and interesting worlds for today's students. Interactive lessons that get the kinesthetic learner up and out of their seats, digital lessons for the visual learner, audio options to reach the auditory learners are all excellent uses of technology to make learning fun and geared toward specific learners. It also makes me realize that I need to be on top of all the new technology so that I can keep up with my students and keep them interested!
Christine G.
"Digital Kids" was a powerful video illustrating how technology has and will continue to change the way learning occurs in our classrooms. One cannot stop this progress from happening. Our children are "Digial Kids". They possess cell phones, I-Pods, laptops, etc. Everything is fast, simple, easy and done for them. They can learn to use all of these things. But what are they really learning?? As posted by Kathleen M., at what age and for what purposes? The acquisition of fundamental skills within language arts, writing, literacy, etc. should be taught and learned the "old fashioned" way. Children must learn to write, read, communicate, use reference books to research, etc. However, today's teacher can reduce the "boredom" and "repetitveness" of those traditional learning activities by regularly incorporating technology into their lessons. I would use traditional teaching methods as the foundation and initial building blocks for learning and then implement age appropriate technology for support and enhancement. If I were a "have" (posted by Nicole) and had access to technology, I would engage and motivate my students by offering alternative ways to learn using technology. I would hopefully provide them with the basic tools and concepts and then encourage them to hone their skills and take ownership of their learning by using other methods they really like both at home and school. I agree and disagree with K. Dalton about this video being negative. I agree because the use of technology has many risks and negative effects if not monitored and used properly such as cyberbullying, cheating/plagiarism and poor time management. On a positive note, when technology is available and integrated into a classroom by a teacher that is knowledgeable, motivated and willing, a high level of rich, meaningful learning will occur. One cannot stop progress. But we can control how fast we allow it to move into our children's lives, who uses it, how, when, where and why. Kathy K.
I think this video gives kind of an incomplete picture. All the tech stuff in the world is great, and if it gets kids interested, I'm all for it. (I had a smart board in the room I was observing in, and the kids loved using it)But to imply that we no longer need books, or pencils? That's kind of silly. You have to teach kids the basics, and all the basics. All the tech in the world can support and supplement that, but you need variety snd you need to understand different methods.
What an interesting and thought provoking video. I enjoyed the flashback photos with kids of today, amazing to think that there is less then 100 year difference between them. "Digital Kids" is the student of the future. These students will have been brought up using computers and web based technology. Furthermore, they will react to this type of learning because it was how they grew up. I feel that in order to engage these "Digital Kids" we must start from the ground up. Teachers and educators need to be as caught up with technology as the students. If this were to remain strong then teachers will know how to keep their students interested and totally engaged. Teachers should be required to attend classes and stay on par with the rising level of technology. We, the next generations of teachers, owe it to our students to keep them learning and interested in the classroom by using all the technology we can get our hands on, because the students are already doing it. It makes no sense not to mold your classroom around that!
-Matt Fuentes
quite true, we have gone from the notebook and blackboard to the palm pilot and smart board... i found this clip very entertaining, while it presented some very real questions with some basic answers. this is just the beginning. some teachers are tech savvy and up t- date with the latest technology, while others lag behind, yet still some are sort of in the middle, learning and growing and trying to keep up with it all and keeping the students' learning experience as the goal.it's the all part of the growing process... seems daunting at times... sue d.
i agree with christine and steve, we need more interactive, kinesthtic learning to keep all students involved, yet the pencil and paper will never be obsolete, regardless of how much technology we use in the classroom. the tried and true basics will never use effectiveness
sue d
I have worked in 2 schools with students of very different backgrounds. One school was private, but very few students had computers at home. We were also somewhat limited by technology resources within the school--I had a computer in my classroom and there was a lab with 24 computers, but the internet was very slow and it took a long time for pages to load. I did my best by creating PowerPoints that had images, animations, and movies, which I could show with an LCD projector that was donated by an alum of the school. If I wanted to view a website, I kept my fingers crossed when trying to access it. I usually printed the main page for the students to have as a handout and just discussed what resources were available on the site. I also gave them the URL in case they could get to a computer on their own time. The students who attend the school that I am in now are much more privileged, so nearly all of them have internet access at home, in addition to multiple computer labs and SmartBoards in school. The teachers are much more likely to include technology in their lessons on a regular basis because it is readily available and they have been given training on how to utilize it within their classrooms. I think the fact that the teachers have had support in integrating technology has been a big help in making sure that the students are exposed to different teaching methods, since the technology can contribute to greater interaction during lessons.
Jeanne S.
A number of the comments that came before mine mention the fact that the teachers need to work toward being as tech-savvy as the students already are (Christine G., Matt F., Sue D.). Maybe there is a way for us to further strengthen the relationships we build with our students by having them teach us about technology as we are teaching them the curriculum. I know that we will all be very comfortable using PowerPoint once this course is over, but let's say for an example that you want to add a movie clip to a presentation--the students could walk you through how to do that in a matter of minutes. The benefits would go both ways in that you would now know how to incorporate the videos for future presentations and the students would be exposed to the instructional value of that clip that they helped you with. For those of us who understand how precious time is to a teacher, with getting through the curriculum and preparing for assessments, something like this does not have to happen every day--maybe once a week at the most. On those rare occasions when you have a few extra minutes, ask the students for their help. It may also keep them from becoming too rowdy during that down time because they will all want to watch what you are doing and share their experiences of using that particular technology.
Jeanne S.
I agree with Steve that this video is incomplete. I believe technology is very important and should be integrated into the classroom, but it should not be the only form of teaching. Books and pencils are also another important tool to use in the classroom. Variety is important and students should learn using different types of tools in today's classroom. Technology should be an addition to the classroom not a replacement. This will allow students to have a variety of skills to learn with.
Soribeth Milito
I thought that this video was very good but had its limitations. It is important that we acknowledge and adapt to the changing times. However, that does not mean that we need to abandon altogether the traditional means of teaching and learning. We need as educators to take on the difficult task of blending the traditional and modern methods of teaching and learning to create the most beneficial lessons for our students.
Megan R.
The video was awesome and informative. Things have really changed. Children grow bored with just a lecture, pencil and paper. I'd use the smart board, podcasting, blogging, wordprocessing and wikis in my classroom to engage the students.
Kimberla P.
This video was interesting to me, however I definitely do not agree with it 100%. Is it important to use technology in today's classrooms? Absolutely. But by the same token, we simply cannot neglect pen and paper methods. Kids today are in fact digital natives, and most five year olds probably know more about computers than some of their parents. But the fact remains that we cannot allow our students to become dependent on technology. It's a great way to get students motivated for a lesson, or even as an aid for a lesson. This video doesn't seem to see it that way; I feel as though the video wants teachers to immerse their students in technology and utilize it as the only source for educating their students. I feel that this is a dangerous thing to do because some of the technology can get distracting, and will take away from the learning process. As an aid, I fully support technology. I simply cannot support a world in which classrooms are run solely by this technology. Perhaps I see things in an old-fashioned way, but I don't see how creating all assignments around technology can be beneficial. As I said earlier, I am in no way against using it - but I do feel that it's use should be limited. Students need to learn how to read and write conventionally, as well as to type and read on the computer.
-Nicole B.
Meagan, you make an excellent point. It is so important to blend together both styles of teaching so as not to lose sight of what is important. Traditional teaching and learning should not be lost arts. Instead, we should use traditional methods and infuse bits of technology and other modern ideas along with it.
Nicole B.
This video is like many videos I watch and learn about in school today. Teaching has definitly evolved into this atmosphere in which if there is no technology used in the classroom, the teacher is not engaging his or her students enough. Now, when teachers go on interviews, a common question is, "how do you as a teacher engage your students in the classroom?" Another common question is, "How do you use technology to motivate your students?" I completely agree with the video that children these days are digital learners. I believe that children sometimes know more than we do about technology. As a teacher, we must be able to prepare our students to live and support themselves in the digital world that we all live in today. The more that we incorporate technology into the classroom, the more these students will be able to handle the technology skills needed in the real world today. When these students apply for jobs, they will be facing students around the world who have had teachers instill the use of technology into their daily lives.
On the other hand, I do not think technology should be used 100% of the time. I completely agree with Nicole and Meagan, that it is important to blend the traditional style of teaching with the newer digital style of teaching. I am a person that when I learn, I need to not be distracted. Sometimes, teachers use too much technology that the students become more distracted, that simply using the chalkboard. As a math teacher, sometimes students need to just see me at the board, working through an example step by step, rather than have a powerpoint with pictures and colors that distracts them.
As teachers, we must be smart when choosing when and how to incorporate technology into our classroom. It is a fantastic tool that should be used whenever possible, but also not be used too much.
Jennifer D'Albenzio
I would use technology in the classroom in a number of ways. For one, there is a website entitled Explorelearning.com geared towards math and science that has interactive simulations (gizmos) to promote visual learning. Each gizmo comes with an exploration guide for students and a lesson plan guide for teachers. I would either present a gizmo to the students or better yet have the students use the gizmos themselves. Also, I would use BrainPop to either introduce or review a topic we learned in class. BrainPop gives an entertaining yet informative synopsis about various topics in mathematics and other subjects and provides a quiz and other activities that go with that topic. I would also use Geometer's Sketchpad for geometry lessons and WinPlot for lessons that involve graphing.
-Lauren DeClemente
I love the way this clip begins, the pics of students are eye catching and make a very strong point. I feel that this will definately help to show evolution in education to those who oppose it. Also, using the plane to show how far humanity has come was great and truely shows the solid fact that times have changed and will continue to change, progress, and develop wether we are against it or for it.
Danyi T
I believe that as teachers of children who live in digital world it is our responsibility to incorporate as much technology into the classroom as possible. It amazes me that teachers who have access to technology don't use it. At work today I was mentioning that I was surprised that the studnts did not have e-mail accounts through the school. In my opinion e-mail is a great way to communicate with students. I hope that when I have my own classroom that I am know enough about the available technology to apply it to daily activities.
I think the best way to engage kids in the classroom is to mix in just the right amount of technology with the traditional teaching methods. I don't think its productive or healthy for students to be plugged in to computers or headphones all day, but I think there needs to be a certain amount of learning done through the use of the technology available to us today. I still think children need to use pens and pencils and read from actual books to a certain extent though.
-Jeff K
I agree with Jeff. I think it is important to find the right mix of technology and traditional methods in order to create effective and engaging lessons. Children today are definitely different than the students of 30 years ago and as teachers we definitely do need to adapt and acknowledge that many students are technologically advanced. To engage elementary students I would incorporate a class blog where they could (with teacher assistance-depending on grade level) publish their thoughts and assignments, use powerpoint presentations, and webquests. I agree with the end of the video where it says that we need to be willing to try different methods and understand they all will not be successful.
I think this video had the right idea that the students are changing more and more as technology progresses through the years. As teachers it is important for us to keep updated with the technology to teach the students and I also agree that being a good teacher is to integrate technology and classroom instruction in an equal way.
-Deanna C.
I like how this video showed that technology engages students because that is what they are used to using. I think this is a really important point. I would use things like you tube and blogs to get my students hooked into lessons and try to motivate them to do their homework. We too also like learning with technology as opposed to traditional methods, so it makes sense to use it with our students.
I do agree with Jeff though about balancing technology because some skills kids really do need to learn. Once they have mastered these skills technology can enhance everything.
I would engage digital kids in the classroom by utilizing both technology and textbook material. Lessons can be differentiated, so kids wont become bored with the repetitious practices used on a daily basis. We still need to make use of the textbook materials, because we dont want to become solely dependent on technology. Computers and other technological devices can malfunction. We can begin to use smartboards and video clips in our lessons more often. I agree with Jeff in saying that we can use a combination of tools, so that there is a balance in the learning tools used.
Melissa H.
This video was a great explanation of how times change and how students are learning differently. Clearly technology is an effective tool when teaching our students, therefore I believe we should incorporate technology and other web 2.0 tools as much as possible when teaching our digital kids. However, I agree with Jeff that we should only incorporate technology for an appropriate amount of time. I believe that teacher-made resources are also effective and technology should not completely replace teaching.
*Jenny
I agree with the video’s point that kids are changing and are now digital kids. To get kids engaged and motivated into a lesson we need to teach them with what they relate to, which is technology. I think that technology should only be used as a tool; it should not replace a teacher. Teachers need to learn the right ways of adopting technology into their classroom to be able to obtain the must benefit from it. I also liked that the video motivated teachers not to be afraid of trying new forms of teaching.
-Saira U.
This video was a perfect representation of the evolution of students as technology has grown. The amount of technology our students are exposed to and are so proficient with. I honestly don't see my students being successful in my classroom without technology. But I also don't see them being successful without some 'traditional' instruction. Especially within my content area, I feel there has to be a balance between the use of technology and traditional instruction in order for the students to best learn the material. Students did learn before all of the recent technology was established.
Tom L.
The new era of the "digital kid" may be shocking to older people who were taught in traditional school settings before technology was available. Now more than ever our students are coming into the classroom maybe even more prepared than their teachers. I agree with Tom that students would not be as successful in the classroom without technology. They can all relate to it in some way and it would be good to incorporate it into the classroom. It should never replace traditional education but it will definitely enhance it.
-Jeanine T.
I would look to involve "digital kids" in the classroom by having them try out various types of technologies and interactive activities. It is clear that this generation is growing up technologically advanced, and the classroom is a great oppurtunity to peak their interest and productivity. It is important for the teacher to incorporate methods of teaching that help all student succeed, and for digital kids, that method is through technology.
I really enjoyed this video on "digital kids." There are so many amazing and diverse ways to incorporate technology into our teaching. As teachers we need to make sure that what we are presenting to our students is in a matter that they will understand and relate to. Like the video showed - students don't learn in the same way anymore. As teachers we need to change our instruction of teaching to meet our students needs. I like how the video pointed out that we need to continue "to grow" with technology in our classrooms.
However, in order for this to happen I think schools and districts need to make sure they provide regular workshops on current trends in technology for their faculty. In order for teachers to be able to use the technology effectively, they too must be educated!
-Kathy M.-
I agree with what Patrick said. Today, kids are growing up with different technology. It is really important to integrate technology into the classroom because it is great to integrate the students with the technology that they already know.Using technology in the classroom is a good way for the students to engage in the lessons instead of just straight lecture.
Jaime
This video showed me that in order to motivate and involve these students in today's world we need to as teachers use technology in the classroom. These "digital" kids know a lot more than we do today and we need to keep up with them and incorporate this into our lessons. Luckily for us teachers there are many workshops and activities that will help us prepare for the up and coming technological world. There are many ways to incorporate technology into any kind of lesson.
- Michael S.
While the video outlines the many forms of technology available to the students, I am still a fan of pencils and notebooks for homework. The depictions of boredom are unjustly associated with the traditional classroom. Teaching, from what I have observed, and experienced, speaking primarily as a student, is all in the delivery. A good education will take place in an environment that is safe, comfortable, and task oriented. That being said, technology is a must, however it needs to be moderated. Sooner or later, the human element may be removed from learning all together.
John G
We need technology in our classroom. I think many of the things we discuss weekly need to be used to get in touch and in tune with this digital generation. Blogs, Wikis, Webquests, virtual classrooms, audiobooks, etc. If we dont use technology we will loose our students attention and their time engaged will fall drastically. Technology is everywhere, and we aren't going to grow out of it- at this point it is better to embrace it than to ignore it. And adding technology to the classroom is fun! and different!
Colleen F
I think technology is a very important part of teaching in today's classrooms. Teachers must learn how to use various forms of technology because it is something that the students can relate to, and can be a great motivator.It may be difficult for people who have been teaching for a long time to get used to using technology in the classroom, but it is very important!
-Christine S.
The first point to mention is that I think that soundtrack was hilarious!
I would engage digital students in the classroom by giving every student a labtop. My cousin was a student of private schools in florida and her entire carrer in school she was provided a labtop. I believe this gave her an opportunity to be as digital as possible. Also she was doing this around the year 2000. Now with the smart board everyone can hook up to the internet within the classroom. The first main steps I believe we need to do is make the internet avaialable to students in every classroom.
Currently with this financial crisis I believe that the goals of the schools to pay back monies will overwhelm them and cause them to stray away from the digital era.
The last entry was from David B
This video made me think about my own education growing up. The grammar school classroom pictures of the past in this video looked more like my grammar school and high school years and that was only 5-10 years ago. It's amazing how much the student has changed in such little time with the advancement of technology.
One of my students has a speech problem and his parents just bought him a special iPod that he can record voices onto and so that they can run speech programs to have him more familiar with the excercises. Also, an iPod is much less obtrusive than a Dynavox or other speech devices that students carry around.
In dealing with older students with special needs, the advancement of bluetooth technology can help a student become more independent in the community. A teenager can walk into a store and buy something while his or her instructor stands outside prompting him via the phone/blue tooth.
Technology can help in the general ed classroom setting too as we have seen in all of these blog posts this semester. Technology should be integrated into the classroom because it not only makes lessons more interesting, but it also reaches out to the students we are teaching who truly are digital kids.
--Jen S
I agree with David that the cost of technology and digital tools is something to consider when wanting to incorporate the equipment into the classroom, especially in the recession we are so often reminded about.
I also think John G makes a good point that we can't let technology take over education. Teaching is a craft and we must develop good deliverance methods to engage our students on all levels, and not just let technology take over every aspect and hope it does the job we are being asked to do. I get scared when people say they dream of classrooms with only computers and no pencils and paper because kids are writing less and less now, and what will happen the day the computers crash and the students can't take notes or function on their own. While technology is going nowhere, it is also important to remember basic skills and learning without technology are equally important.
--Jen S
I believe anything involving technology is the way to engage kids on the classroom. Its what they know, understand, and enjoy. Webquests, games, videos are the new tools we, as teahcers, can use to rech out to the students. The more i look at these blog videos, the more i feel we are becoming part of the matrix. However, this is the new wave and there is no way from stopping this tsunami from coming.
-Mike T-
I do feel that digital technology in the classroom is engaging for students and may make classroom instruction easier. I agree with Jennifer when she says, when used appropriately, technology will allow teachers to not only differentiate their lessons but it will also definitely accommodate their students' needs and learning styles better. I agree with Kim when she says technology is a very important part in stimulating the interest in students. It is very important to me to keep my students engaged and to enjoy learning at all times.
- Megan D
This video is definitely a call to all teachers to realize that our students are much more tech savvy than ever. Appropriate and meaningful training has to take place in order to address the fact that beyond the classroom our students are engaging in high speed information exchanging. We have to as teachers be able to utilize the technologies that our students will one day be using in everyday life in our classrooms so that they can be competitive with students from other countries.
Rob S.
I found this video clip to be very interesting. It clearly demonstrates how kids today are different from kids from previous generations and how this affects they way these children become engaged and interested in the classroom. As a future teacher, I believe it is necessary to integrate technology into the classroom because it is interactive, engaging and relevant to the children. However, I agree with John G. who said "technology is a must however it needs to be moderated." It believe it is important to still have classrooms with human interactions and teachers who can deliever effective lessons with and without the use of technology. This video does not address the cost of technology as well as the importance of having technology trained teachers. Kristina B.
Schools have really changed in just a matter of a few years. Students are really involved with technology both in and outside of the classroom. I think teachers need to be open to the technology as well. Technology will allow our students to be more involved in the classroom and more interested in what they are learning on a daily basis.
Many of our kids now are "digital kids" and this is something that teachers must keep up with. Technology does have a place in the classroom and I feel that technology is a good thing for everyone in the classroom. The technology may make it easier for the teachers and will make it more interesting for the students. I feel as a teacher, I need to keep up with the times and keep myself informed about new technologies and learn how to use them as well.
-Jackie C
I agree with Jackie that techno logy has changed and that our students and future students we have will continue to be involved with technology in and outside of the classroom. Teachers do need to be open more to technology but I hope that it will not “take over” the classroom. Teacher’s can use technology to assist their lessons but hopefully it will stop there.
“Digital kids” are the students we are dealing with in our classrooms and teachers need to ensure they are tech savvy as well. I want to be the best teacher and able to teacher my students about the changes in education, however, I do not want techno logy to take over my class. I want to use technology as guide to student success; I do not want technology to guide me.
Theresa Klee
I defiantly agree that time have changed into a technology based society. I absolutely agree that technology should be brought into the classrooms with students. Students need to learn the different things that are out there and how to find accurate information on various topics; also how to decipher the facts from the garbage that is posted on the internet now-a-days. There are so many different things out there, but it can also be dangerous. In teaching technology in the classroom, there needs to be rules set because children tend to want to wander and find different things that may be inappropriate. I am definitely for technology, but I also think that children can learn from all different types of teaching. I believe hands-on teaching is very effective, so along with using some technology in the classroom, there are other ways to engage students where they are not bored and wandering.
Jaime S
I agree with both Jackie and Theresa that schools have changed because of technologically advances in the past few years. Students have incorporated today’s technology into their everyday lives. Therefore it is important for teachers to constantly incorporate technology into their classrooms. If teachers incorporate technology on a more regular basis, the students will be more interested and involved in their education.
On a daily basis the teachers of today deal with the “digital kids” of today. Technology is an asset for the classrooms of today, however I do not want technology to replace me. It is a great tool to assist in student success, but it is not the only thing that students need to be able to learn.
~ Bethany H.
I do believe that the classroom as well as the student are changing, however I did not necessarily agree with the video. I think it was very negative toward traditional teaching. I think technology is necessary in the classroom, but it is not the only thing that will keep students engaged. I think a a lot, if not all of the technology based tools would be useful in the classroom, and I myself would use them. I think children today are much more technology saavy and I think teachers need to keep up with the technology, especially in their classrooms. Other than the negativity toward paper and pencils, I thought the video was somewhat useful
Christina A
I would attempt to use diverse types of technology in the classroom ranging from youtube to google earth to podcasts. Anything to give the students a change from the books and pen and paper note taking. However, technology can't take over the classroom altogether. Textbooks and Power Point presentations have their place in the classroom with some other technology infused will help students learn.
Lauren G.
While I agree technology should be incorporated in the classroom, it shouldn't be the only learning tool in the classroom. Not all work is going to be done on computers. Students shouldn't be coddled to. Using technology to make a lesson interesting should be as important as reading a book or writing an answer in a notebook. Students generally don't like homework. Putting the work on a web page on in a blog are good ways to getting students to do the work while they surf the web. If the assignments are fun, interesting and educational the students will do them with pen and paper or on a computer.
Nick Maggio
AGAIN, ANOTHER TERRIFIC VIDEO! MY CHILD IS DEFINETLY A DIGITAL KID. I THINK IT I GREAT, HOWEVER, I THINK IT IS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE BASIC SKILLS THAT REQUIRE A PEN, PAPER AND A DICTIONARY. THE USE OF DIGITAL EQUIPMENT TO MOTIVATE, ENHANCE A LESSON/PROJECT IS WONDERFUL. KIDS LOVE IT AND SO DO TEACHERS, BUT WHEN I GET A STUDENT AND THERE ARE MANY WHO CAN'T USE A DICTIONARY, IT BOTHERS ME. I ALWAYS SAY AND AGREE THAT TOO MUCH OF ANYTHING IS NOT A GOOD THING.
LISA C.
After looking at this video it is easy to see how much the education has changed in just a few years. Students today are brainwashed ti the idea of technology because it is now the only way they know. They do not realize that people did not once rely on other things, like creativity and the human mind. I think that technology is effective for student learning because it is what they are used to and know. However, i think that if students are exposed to teachers' creativity and their own creativity they are still able to learn just as much. I think that technology has taken over in education and every day life because of the way it is growing so quickly.
However, if I were to use technology in the classroom, there are number of things i could use, like smartboards, class blogs, you tube videos, goole earth, and the list goes on.
Diana M.
I think technology is important to integrate into the classroom. Children should use what they know and now, this is what they know. It is not a bad thing, however, it should be used effectively. I do not think that all a classroom should be is a world of technology. I would use smart boards, computers, and videos to enhance learning. I would still like it incorporate the reading, writing and creativity in school that does not use technology. Hands-on projects, journals and science labs do not have to be done with technology. Children are still children and they can use their minds (as well as their fingertips for typing or clicking) to learn.
-Michelle A.
I really enjoyed the intensity of the video(lol). The background music, as opposed to a narrator, makes the message being presented come across with greater effectiveness. The visuals were great. I liked how the video started with photos of classrooms many decades ago. It makes you think about how different everything was. I understand the importance of incorporating technology into the classroom and I plan to do so whenever I see fit in my lesson plans. Childrens lives nowadays seem to revolve around technology. Changing times includes the need for changing instruction. The more children are engaged, the more they will learn, chances are without realizing.
I agree with Bobby,watching this video makes me realize how much things have changed in the classroom in such a short period of time. I love the music and the visual images. The classroom has changed in the way it looks and even how the students dress. What we are encountering today, is a battle to update technology in the classrooms to engage the students. It is a hard job to keep their attention, however teachers need to adapt to change, styles, and grow to teach. -Jennifer Sandoval
This video makes a great point, and I agree that we need to change with the times as teachers. In my school it is a requirement that teachers implement the use of technology in every lesson. I agree that is does keep the kids interested in what they are learning. However, I worry that students become to enwrapped in the technology and lose sight of the point of the lesson. For example, in my class I have the students come to the smart board to move boxes or answer questions, but sometimes I fee that they are not really paying attention and are simply volunteering so they can come up to the board. My solution, I require that they answer the question if they wan to come up and it works for the most part. Technology is kind of like a double edge sword for teachers and students.
Jamie D
Katherine makes a great point and I agree. What good is technology if the person using it to teach doesn’t know the material or almost worse, doesn’t like the material they are teaching? While I am excited about technology in the class and I feel it is necessary to include I also feel that the kids need to be excited about the material to really understand it. Think about yourself, do you remember what you didn’t enjoy learning? On the other hand, think about what you do remember learning in high school, what was it and why do you remember? Chances are you remember it because you liked it not necessarily because it dealt with technology. My point is that we need to keep in mind that we’re only using technology as a medium and the lesson is still the objective. The students need to be excited about what they are learning.
Jamie D
First off, I want to say how powerful I thought that video was. The music, the photographs, and the words were very meaningful. When actually seeing the photos of how much the students and classrooms have changed from then till now, it really puts things in perspective. When thinking of how much kids are relying on technology and incorporating it into their lifestyle, its amazing to think that many students today are NOT when they are in school. I absolutely agree with the video. If students are using computers then why are we making them use pencils for homework? In a perfect world, every student would have their own laptop for school, but in today’s society, not every district/family has the opportunity to do that. To blame the lack of technology use solely on teacher’s, is not fair. Yes, I do agree that teachers need to be educated and up-to-date in the use of technology for the benefit of students, but sometimes the resources cannot be provided.
This video shows how teachers must adapt to "digital kids" so that students are engaged in class. I think as a young person getting ready to enter the field of teaching, I will definatley use technology and the resources listed in this video in all of my classes. However I also agree with Nick in that technology should not be the only means in which we teach our students. The proven methods of the past can still be sucessful in todays schools. I feel that a mixture of technology and older methods is the best way for students to learn.
-Thomas Mehldau
The video shows the transformation of educating students. In today classroom, the students are digital when it comes to learning. The effects in the video were very inspiring to show what teacher can use internet base technology for teaching instead of boring textbooks, notebooks, and pencils. I would want to use technology in my classroom to educate the students, but I must agree with Amanda not every district or family has the opportunity of affording a computer. To make every lesson solely on the internet would be an unfair advantage for those students and make them feel left out from their peers.
In my classroom, I would engage the digital kids by using more technology based assignments on the smart board and if my district has laptops, I will make my students create power points, publisher, and hotlist for projects. As the video mention, we need to evolve with this generation of students when it comes to educating the students with technology. It does not mean we forget the past method of educating or students but we need to find ways of incorporating technology as well.
Kricel F.
I thought the video was very interesting. It definitely opens your eyes to understand that you are going to have students in your class that are very interested in, and focused on technology and digital tools. To help engage these students, I would always make it an option to do assignments on the computer. If a student can produce the assigned project or task on a computer program, then that would be fine with me. I agree with Christina A, though, when she says that the article kind of puts down traditional teaching methods. I also believe that traditional teaching methods are very important and the basis of teaching. I am a very traditional teacher, and I use technology when necessary, when I think it would be beneficial, and to motivate students. I do not use it all the time. Just like I have to conform to these digital learners, I must conform to all my other types of learners as well. So everyday is a struggle trying to meet all the styles and needs of each individual child, but then again, thats part of being a teacher...and I love being a teacher.
-Angela Tornincaso
Technology is the cornerstone of the modern day classroom. I have already at some point used most of the learning tools shown in the video and i try to incorporate them as much as possible. The abundance of technological devices available to us are numerous and we must make sure we take full advantage of them. The future is now and we must sure we are prepared to teach these digital kids.
-Kamaal H
This video shows how we, as teachers, need to have the open mind to adapt to the new era of students. Students these days are, for the most part, technologically savvy. They need to be academically challenged in ways that may not be familiar to us. We, as teachers, need this reminder to understand that we have an obligation to adapt to all the different learning styles and technological advances available to us today.
-Cynthia Q-B.
Kids younger and younger are going to be exposed to the benefits of technological advances at home so why not capitalize on that in the classroom? The students that will have grown up with all of this new wave technology will be more prepared to use it in the classroom setting and as teachers we should be prepared for that.
Nicholas Hablenko
This video made me realize how different classroom environments have become. Back than children focused on everything hands on and now in todays society there is so much more to offer a child using technology. I do not think it is a bad thing to allow a child to see ways using technology and ways without technology because this atmosphere helps enhance his or her knowledge. It is important to make sure to teach the children how to use both ways in a classroom and not just focus on one more than the other.
The main goal of this video was to show the importance of adapting to the times and therefore integrating technology into the classroom. I completely agree with that statement, that teachers need to keep up with the times in order to teach to the best of their ability and be able to teach effectively towards these “digital kids”. Even though this video was short and a bit overly dramatic, I did however still pick up some new ideas that I never knew before such as Animato.com. After seeing this source in the video I decided to try it out, and it is definitely a cool way to compose all of your videos and pictures that you could utilize in the classroom!
While watching this video I thought that it pointed out some excellent points as I said before. However, there were some things that I think the video is missing, in that I believe that most teachers ARE keeping up and adapting to these modern times. With the introduction of Smart Boards into the classroom, teachers are become more technical savvy and are taking great strides into integrating the technology. Blogs, Glogger, vokis, audacity, are some of the easiest ways to integrate technology into the classroom and I learned all of those sources through my previous teachers. I agree that technology is needed in the classroom, but I also agree that most of the teachers out there are aware and are making their adjustments. Technology is the future, and from this day forward it is only going to become more prevalent both in the classroom and the world.
-MaryBeth V
I totally agree with this video that we must change our teaching styles to engage students who have grown up surrounded by technology. It shows some great suggestions on how to use technology to engage students. I definitely want to start to incorporate more technology into my classroom. Right now I have a smart board that I use everyday for notes and videos. I can and should try to find new, creative, and fun ways to make my lessons more interesting for students.
One part of the video that I don't fully agree with is the fact that they suggest we don't need pencils or paper anymore. Maybe in the future classrooms will be completely technology based but I do not think we are fully there yet. Schools do not have enough access to technology to this at this time.
Jamie F
I would use technology in the classroom that the students and engage in. But watching this video makes me realize how much things have changed in the classroom in such a short period of time. The video clip did a great job in summarizing what is going on with our students today, what is wrong with our method of teaching, and what needs to be done in order to teach them more effectively.
steph s
I agree that this video shows in many ways how education has changed over the last couple of decades. I think that all teachers should be able to teach to the time period, and agree with jamie that their are alot of new ways that even I didn't know about until watching this video about how to teach with some of those newer websites. Many students today need newer types of motivation and learning in a classroom and teachers must recognize that to teach them effectively.
Tom G
I agree with the video's stance that, as teachers, we must adjust. We have to try and fail and try again to reach our students. Technology is here, and to infuse it into lessons and pedagogy is not simply the bells and whistles -it is preparing our students for their future. Technology is a motivating and engaging tool. While I believe that students' attention spans are decreasing due to the immediate feedback they are used to in their lives, through DVRs and Netflix, through email and texts, through Facebook and instant messaging, it is the reality of life today. In order to best prepare out students, we must embrace innovative tools. ~Cindy A.
I agree with this video that we must change the way we teach to engage students. Having been in many classrooms as an substitute aide I have seen many teachers, some good and some not so good. The ones who use technology engage the students more. If the students are not engaged they are not motivated to learn. Right now, state tests are still given on paper to be written in long hand. This is reason I think students do need to be able to work this way also.
Jackie A.
Nicole K.
I would engage digital kids in the classroom by using various forms of technology within each lesson. I think technology has become more evident in the classroom and as highlighted in the video, just as technology has hanged the way our students learn has also changed. The amount of technological resources available to our students is limitless.
I plan on incorporating technology into my classroom for various reasons. As a future social studies teacher, there are many resources available online pertaining to many historical events. I would use google maps to show students battle fields and the geography of the regions in which the unit was focusing. Also there are many videos available of first hand events and speeches, and even many sites which provide virtual tours of historic sites.
Technology provides many great resources and techniques to engage students in the classroom, and as technology changes so do our students. Therefore it is important that teachers learn to adapt and use the technologies available to their students.
I agree that the advancements we have seen in technology over the past 50 years have increased teachers' ability to reach students. The video is put together well, sends a strong message, and makes some very good points, but not many that weren't obvious already - no one will argue that the students from 50 years ago look or act the same as students today.
My strongest objection was to the point that we shouldn't have students use pencils and paper to do their homework. I don't think that it should be all pencil and paper, but I also don't think it should be all computers either; we need balance. Handwriting is an essential part of developing a child's brain, and taking that away will only limit the child. It's true that we need to teach students how to use the technology that's at their disposal, but that's what technology is - it is disposable. In 5 years the technology they learned to use today will be different and they will continually be re-learning how to use it, but one thing that will not change is the ability to physically write and create.
I would use some technology to engage the digital kids in my classroom. With technology advancing we can have more access to it in the classroom and in a science class we can use it to our advantage. We can use more advanced microscopes, computer simulations, and look at current research and data that scientists have been doing in the field. I agree with Elizabeth that even though technology could replace teachers they are still a crucial part of the learning experience. THe role of the teacher may change from a direct instructor to more of a guide helping students to find the right mode of learning.
James S.
The video is very intriguing because it shows how technology has changed the style of learning and the classroom over time. Technology has become such an important aspect for teaching and engaging students that it is quite hard these days to each without technology. The most amazing part in the classroom that I have witnessed is the Smart Board. The smart board was never used when I was in high school about 5 years ago and it amazes me. It is basically a computer on the screen in front of the class that engages students in learning. Technology has become such a part in every day life for most people that teaching without technology just would not engage students and would not be helpful in any way.
-Katie C.
This video provided its viewers with a better understanding of how school, the curriculum, and methods of teaching have changed throughout society. While I do believe technology should play an integral role in the classroom to motivate and engage students, I do not believe it should be the only method of teaching used. Students must be engaged in various ways in order to learn best and understand concepts and material that is unfamilar to them. While readin the posts of my colleagues, I agree with Kathleen and believe that "technology has a place in education today, but at what age it should be introduced, and for what purposes it should be used needs to be scrutinized carefully."
-Christina D.
I almost entirely disagree with this video. I don't think technology is the answer to all the problems in education and i think people are better educated without the use of technology. That's not to say that technology can't add to a lesson positively but i think there are other ways of teaching, without using technology, that can engage students. Students love hands on learning and moving around the classroom. Students don't know how to do simple math or spell simple words, due to the use of technology. I undertsand that as a teacher of the 21st century i will have to incorporate technology into the classroom but i will also incorporate other ways of insturction into my classroom as well.
-Danielle Cavallo
I thought the message from the youtube video is very relevant to students in our classrooms. A lot of students these days would rather type a paper as opposed to writing it with a pencil. I like the idea of blogging for a homework assignment. It is the same for this class, our homework is of expanding our minds instead of practicing something that was gone over in class.
Kate M
The ways I would engage digital students in the classroom would be by incorporating the internet, computers and other digital technology into my lessons as well as home work assignments. There are so many ways to do this and so many assignments that we have done just in this class alone all online and through computers and videos and programs. Only constant in the world is change and we should change with the times to keep up with the kids and reach them by any means necessary. Whether it be hotlists, youtube, brainpop, webquests, research projects, IWB, and things of that nature. As a social studies major I like the idea of interactive maps and things like that as well as videos.
Justin Breslau
The music and opening photos of this video really caught my attentions. No, students DO NOT look like they used to. It's an interesting way to put it.. why would they learn the same way they used to then? It truly is a job of a teacher--one with a lot of work to it--to learn how to keep our students' attention when they are digital kids.
I, like Kim C. said, did not have any of the classroom technology that today's students are privileged with! It really does take more effort to incorporate technology when it does not come naturally as so many other teaching skills do.
I love to keep my students entertained with the use of an iPad. They love it, and really do pick up on things quickly.
Jackie D.
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