Sunday, August 31, 2014

Blog Post 2

Blog Outline
>Discuss Dr. Dancealot video.
>What it means to teach in the 21 century.
>The Networking student and what does that mean for teachers.
>Using technology in schools.
>Who is ahead in learning?
>Flipping the classroom video and how it benefits/hinders classes.
>Applying locker room co-operaction among students in classrooms.


Dr. Dancealot
The movie Dr. Dancealot posted on youtube.com by Kari Johnson, the central message is that technology is beneficial and harmful at the same time. It can be useful in the classroom to show examples, make presentations, and give the students a visual; however, if a teacher never really teaches besides reading a PowerPoint, the students will not be completely prepared.I agree with the author’s conclusion, which he shows through Mr. Dancealot only showing a power point demonstration, allowing no questions, and never allowing the students to practice the material.


Teaching in the 21st Century by Kevin Roberts
Kevin Roberts thinks that teaching in the 21st century means teachers need to not just teach facts, but teachers need to teach skills, morals, how to use tools, and keep the lesson engaging, which he shows in his video Teaching in the 21st Century.
Outline of Roberts’ Argument
1.Teachers are the filters of knowledge by teaching students how to handle resources.
-Students need to learn how to validate, synthesize, leverage, and communicate information.
-Students also need to learn how to apply information in collaboration with others and problemsolving.
2.Teachers should teach computer using skills and available tools.
-Teachers need to teach students to apply analyze, evaluate, and create using the information and skills gained from using technology.
-Students need to learn how to use the information gained to build pages, blogs, and other informative resources to share information.
-Students need to learn how use computer tools such as wiki pages, blogs, and search engines.
3.Teachers need to teach professionalism.
-Students need to learn about plagiarism, copyright, confidentiality, and slander.
-It is unlikely that students will learn these traits through peers, parents, or videos, so teachers have to teach them.
4. Teachers need to keep the students engaged.
-Because entertainment is available everywhere, teachers have to learn how to keep students engaged.
-Using the technology students are already using keeps them engaged especially if the assignment is already teaching them how learn more about how to use the technology they have.


3)The Networked Student by Wendy Dexter
My reaction to The Networked Student was, at first, a little discouraged because it seemed that I was basically obsolete in this new way of teaching. However,as the video went on I became less and less discouraged because Dexter, who made the video, was not saying teachers were obsolete but evolving. The roles of teachers have changed from classroom lectures to guides that help students navigate tons of information on the Internet. It comforted me to know that teachers are needed in the classroom and online. Online instructors help with online discussions, information searching, and how to properly use technology to get the best result.


4)Harness Your Student's Digital Smarts by Vicki Davis
Davis’ video Harness Your Student’s Digital Smarts proves her thesis that schools need to change with the students coming in. Davis’ theory is very beneficial to education. By taking advantage of the technology lessons students can connect with other students on an international level. This kind of course also allows students to explore technology and even become teachers by passing on what they have learned to their classmates and instructor. Combing education and technology allows all students to learn because it allows open discussion and group work. Using technology this way will prepare students for their future and keep them engaged in the classroom.


5) Who's Ahead in the Learning Race By John Strange
Being a junior in college, I can honestly say the elementary kids are ahead in the learning race. They are given a head start because they are exposed to technology by early childhood and are already capable of exploring and understanding tools such as computers and tablets. I know many college students who are lost when it comes to the very same tools these younger students are using with ease. This puts them ahead in the race because they already know where information is found, and the teachers are also able to further their knowledge by teaching them more using the laptops or tablets. I myself am not as skilled at using my laptop as the younger students seem to be, but I am improving.

6) Flipping the Classroom
Flipping the classroom is a new concept to me, and I love it. Being able to already present the information outside of the classroom allows more discussion in the classroom. This will benefit me as a teacher because in English classes there is so much time wasted on review, grammar, and other topics that take weeks to teach in such a small allotted time; however, watching the Flipping the Classroom video allowed me to think about how wonderful it would be to use that when teaching something like grammar, or literary terms, because the students could already have a grasp of the concept and be open to discussion. This would benefit students and teachers by giving each enough time to fully cover a concept without taking away from equally important instruction.


7) Bringing the Locker Room into the Classroom by Craig Owens
Bringing the Locker Room to the Classroom was very enlightening to me because of the way skills are presented. I’m going to be an English teacher and with that come analyzing texts, essays, and books. However, discussing how to teach the skills necessary for this has always been very vague in other classes I have take. This article was very helpful because it took the aspect of team working to the classroom, which I have never seen before. If students could bounce thoughts and ideas off of each other on how to close read, many students would not have the struggle many of them do when facing literary assignments.


A teacher helps a student work an ipod.
Photo by www.securedgenetworks.com

3 comments:

  1. Be sure to add in your ALT and title modifiers to pictures instead of adding in the source underneath the picture. Also, add in the links of the websites you are writing about in your blog. Overall, good blog post :)

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  2. Hi Erica! I enjoyed reading your blog. Your summary on Bringing the Locker Room into the classroom was very enlightening. I especially liked when you stated students could bounce thoughts and ideas off of each other. Your are right, it will promote teamwork among them. Using all the techniques will enhance your classroom and student's minds. What 21st century teaching technique do you plan to implement first in your classroom?

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  3. I would really like to start off with teaching them how to filter information and take advantage of the resources available. Since I'm going into teaching English, I'm constantly thinking about how to enhance my students writing abilities. So, the Teaching in the 21st Century video made me really consider that many students do not know how to apply information correctly to research papers. Also, a major problem I've noticed in even some college classes are students not knowing how to use resources correctly or how to search for them. I'd really like to teach my students first how to find the desired information and then how to filter what is needed.

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