Blog Assignment #2

What Will Teaching in the 21st Century be Like?
1) I believe the central message of this video was to show how not to use technology in the classroom. The professor utilized the technology, but failed to incorporate the class itself. Throughout the video all he did was use power points, and he stayed behind the desk where no one could see. Therefore, the students failed to learn. His lack of class participation showed in the final minute of the video, as students couldn't even recognize which song was playing let alone what dance to do. I agree with the conclusion that although power point can be useful and easier, I feel class participation would have been more useful and successful for this class. It is very easy to get bored reading slide after slide, teachers need to be sure to incorporate other techniques. Another option the professor could have used was having the slides up with the footsteps shown, but partnering the students to try it themselves as well.

2) Roberts believes teaching in the 21st Century means utilizing all of our technological resources, but use must first be taught. Throughout the presentation, he brings up the questions how, where, and why not? How do you engage instead of simply entertain? Where is the center of knowledge now held? Why not use cell phones, Ipods, and social medias as aids in the classroom? I agree with his arguments. I believe technology in its entirety should be used in the classroom, but correct use should be taught. I feel that knowledge is straying away from teacher being the sole providers, just as Roberts stated in the beginning of the video. As a student, Google is the first site I go to when looking up anything. However, I do not know how to limit my search results or word my questions for the most accurate answers because I was never taught how. If technology was more utilized than scrutinized in the classroom students would be better equipped. Technology can be seen as simple entertainment at times because we aren't aware of its real Google, Wikipedia, and Blogger give us the opportunity to see multiple perspectives and or facts all at once. By learning to use technology for engagement, instead of entertainment, I will be able to help my students do the same. Teaching how to use search engines, and create blogs or video lessons will enable them to learn much more than just what I can teach in one class.

3) The video discusses the student's process and journey through one of his classes, where the professor give the few lectures and there is no textbook. The question is asked, "Why does the networked student even need a teacher?" and throughout the video I caught myself wondering the same thing. It is said the professor gives very few lectures, and uses technology as the main source. After watching the video a second time, paying close attention to the end and beginning, it becomes clear why the teacher is needed. The teacher may not give many lectures, but that is because she provided the sources necessary without them. She provided the building blocks, such as other students, links to databases, and required these students utilize the technology given. Without this teacher during these things this student probably wouldn't have learned how to use the RSS or that he could hear podcasts of the professor all over the country on his Ipod, for free. This teacher enabled her students to embrace and engage in technology so they could further use these resources in other classes in future experiences.

4) Vickie Davis' thesis is that the teacher shouldn't expect to be the only educator in his or her classrooms, students, and other teachers from all over should be as well. I believe Vickie Davis' method of teaching is very interesting and rewarding for students. Her ability to have students engage and interact with other students not only is her classroom but in classrooms all over is very successful. If a student is capable of teaching another person how to do something than there is no question that he or she has master that objective. The students interacting with students in other countries is interesting because they can see what is going on at other schools and places not even close to them. If a teacher allows others to be the informant at times then the opportunities and objectives to learn are limitless.

5)I have never heard of this method of teaching. As I watched and learned about the method, I was torn between whether it would help or hurt the students in their learning. In the end, I felt this method would be less useful to me as a teacher. As an intern at a school already, I have seen the downside to relying on school things begin done at home. The first con I see to this method is that not all students have access to computers at home. The video said it would be acceptable for those students to come in and do the assignments in the morning, but that could lead to students being a different places in the lessons. That also points out who may or may not have access to computers at home which could lead to other issues with students. Also, in my experience, not all parents are willing to, or capable of, ensuring the students actually do the work or follow through with the assignments. Some feel it is the teacher's job to ensure students learn it in class. If those students don't do the work at home, they will come in behind on the lessons, setting different paces.