Responses to videos

Did You Know

Wow! I always knew technology has come a long way during my twenty year old life, but when I saw this video it it blew me away. I never realized how much technology effects the world. India has more honor students than all american students. I always thought America is the most technological advanced country but to hear the United States in 19 in the world in broadband internet blows me away. China and India are way ahead of the United States. I now have somewhat of a grasp on how many people technology effects.

We have come so far in technology just in the past five years. Google searches increased by around 30 billion since 2006. This shows the amount of people using computers these days. Technology is being used for virtually everything today even to find a marriage partner. Information is available at our finger tips at all times, whether it be by computer or phones which have the web on them. Technology is moving too fast for us too even keep up with. For example this video said students are preparing for jobs and problems that do not even exist now. We have to be an adapting culture today so that we can stay on top of things in our life.

Mr Winkle Wakes

Mr. Winkle wakes after 100 years, and finds the world is not the same way it used to be. He discovers these devices,computers, that have so much information on them and someone can talk to you all the way across the world. He visits a hospital and sees all these devices used to save the lives of people. Mr. Winkle comes across a school, and he finds that the schools are exactly the same as they were 100 years ago and becomes very comfortable there.

This video is a great example that shows how education has been left behind in a world surrounded by technology. It truly doesn't make sense why technology is not used in the classroom. Schools are supposed to prepare students and give them knowledge and skills so they may in turn get the jobs most desired. These most desired jobs usually require a vast knowledge of technology. Yes students still need to learn how to read, write, and add, but the approach to teaching needs to change. Children are more interested in playing a video game than reading, so why not bring this kind of technology into the classroom to make students interested in learning.

Creativity in Schools

Ken Robenstine makes a strong point that the educational system looks down upon the arts because you can get a job being good at dance or art. Students today are simply being told what they should do with their lives instead of being encouraged to do what they want to do. I never realized until Ken Robestine that the arts in public schools either don't exist or they aren't properly funded. There has become a prejudice attitude within the school systems toward the fine arts, and this is effecting not only the creativity of students but the happiness of students. In high school I looked forward to attending my art class because it gave me a break from the world and allowed me to relax in an environment where relaxation does not exist.

I particularly enjoyed when Ken Robestine talked about all students having degrees. I went to a college prep high school and was pushed to go to college and get a degree. The military and trade schools were looked down upon. I did not understand why they were looked down upon though. Today there are too many people getting degrees and not enough jobs for those with a degree. Having a specific trade today has become a high demand, and jobs are easily found. If everyone went to college than who would come fix your air condition or if your car broke down who would fix it. No one could fix it. So people are not meant to go to school and should not be looked down upon if they don't. Education is being pushed too hard and it is ruining not only the creativity but it is ruining the way in how the world functions.

Harness Your Students' Digital Thoughts

Vicki Davis' classroom is what classrooms should look like today. She is connecting with the students more by using the technology that is available to them. I like when she said some students don't learn on paper because I am that kind of person. I am a visual learner and would much rather someone show me rather than tell me.

This digital classroom makes learning more fun and enjoyable. I particularly would enjoy being in a classroom that could communicate with someone from the other side of the world. For example if I was in a history class and was learning about another country, to be able to talk with someone from that country would give me a better understanding. This would also allow me to be able to pay attention more rather than sitting in a lecture listening to the same monotone teacher everyday.