When watching "A Vision of Students Today" many things race through my head. Some of the messages the students were showing bewildered me. Some of them, I believe, were accurate while others I feel were not. In today's world, where nothing can be done without technology, I find it hard to believe the average college student only spends two hours on their cell phone. I do believe, however, that in order to survive in college one must be able to multi-task. This pertains especially to those that attend the University of South Alabama.
South is not a typical college compared to the University of Alabama or Auburn University. Unlike these schools, South is primarily composed of transient students. I have friends that have attended these other two schools and all their classes were extremely large. At South, my largest class size has been between 40 and 50 students, whereas, the video says the average number of students in their class was 115. The video also stated that only 18% of her professors knew her name. Here, all my professors know my name.
I believe with all the new technology available to us that it is time for some of the professors to evolve with the time. Many professors still get in front of the class and lecture just like people did 100 years ago. One thing I really enjoy about my EDM 310 class is how Dr. Strange makes everything “hands on." It would be very easy for him to tell us or show us how to learn new things on the computer, such as blogging. Instead, he makes us get our hands dirty and create our own blog. Many students today want all the answers given to them. Dr. Strange tells us the assignment and it is up to us to "think outside the box" to solve our problems.
"It's Not About the Technology" by Kelly Hines
I agree totally with Mrs. Hines on her view about teachers and technology. Many teachers today are set in their ways and nothing will change them. All teachers should evolve like our technology has today. Today's students do not go home and read books or play outside like they did years before. These students are coming home from school and immediately getting on the computer or playing video games. This makes it important for our teachers to use these types of technological tools to reach these students.
With all the great technology, like ELMOs to smart boards, teachers could make learning more fun for our students. Why purchase these very expensive items if the teacher will not take the time to learn how to use them, or how to benefit from them? Not only is this a huge waste of our tax paying money, but the teacher is also cheating our students. I bet if you look at the teachers who refuse to step into our modern technological era,these are the same teachers the students do not like and think are boring.
Karl Fisch: Is It Okay to Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?
I strongly agree with Karl Fisch's post about teachers needing to be technologically literate. I believe with the technology we have today there is no boundaries when it comes to education. We can now take our students on a field trip anywhere in the world with a monitor, camera, and the internet. The best part is the field trips are very inexpensive and the students do not have to leave their desks.
It is ashamed that today's world some teachers do not even know how to turn on a computer much less work one. I do not believe that it is necessary for teachers to know how to create a computer program; however, it is necessary for them to know how to operate an email account. Today, it is very easy and convenient to contact parents through email. It is like Karl Fisch said, "If a teacher is not technologically literate-and is unwilling to make the effort to learn more-it's equivalent to a teacher 30 years ago who didn't know how to read or write."
Gary Hayes Social Media Count
The numbers on the social media are unbelievable. One question that comes to mind is how many of those multiplying numbers are school age kids? I am sure a vast majority are! Technology has evolved so much that students no longer read books; instead, they read e-books. A student no longer has to carry a heavy bag full of books anymore. They can now carry one electronic device that will hold numerous books.
With all this being said it is amazing that some teachers still do not feel the need to become technologically literate. This, as well as other blog post like, "Mr. Winkle Wakes" and Karl Fisch's post, proves that it is imperative for all educators to incorporate technology in their lessons. If the social media is accurate, our educators are falling behind more and more with every second that passes. It is time for all educators to step up to the plate for our future.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Assignment Three
Michael Wesch: A Vision of Students Today
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Wesch:
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, classes at South are going to get larger. The hope is that technology is going to help in keeping up the quality and the contact. EDM310 is one of the first experimental classes to see what can be done. The business school is trying video lectures - much like those you (correctly, in my opinion) decry. I am fortunate to have four students as assistants. In technology the students often know more than the professor and can be an enormous help. Not true in other classes. But I am convinced all classes can become learning communities where we learn from each other. I hope that happens. We are trying to make it work in EDM310. I think project based learning is the ONLY way to make that happen. Thanks for your kind words. I hope you still have them at the end of the class!
Hines:
kelly Hines is a smart board guru. She thinks smart boards should be tools for kids - not teachers. You might enjoy watching Ms. Hines Skype Session with EDM310 last semester. It lasts about 30 minutes. I think smartboards can be easily misused and become electronic crutches for poor teachers. So I am firmly in Ms. Hines class. I also agree that it is as much about the teaching as it is the technology. You will see many of my teaching biases throughout this class: no burp-back education; project based learning; deemphasis on grades and emphasis on honest self-reflection and many others.
Fisch:
I would argue it is MUCH more than knowing how to "operate an email account." MUCH MORE!
Hayes:
"I am sure a vast majority are!" I am sure you are correct. Are our new teachers going to be ready? We are trying in EDM310.
Well done!
Ashley,
ReplyDeleteYour response to Karl Fisch was correct. Teachers should and need to be technology literate. Too often, do we find teachers who have no idea how to use word or even search engines on the internet? With technology growing, the way it is I believe that one-day students may not step foot into a classroom but literally roll out of bed and begin their lesson.
Teachers will be able to track students study habits and asses potential flaws in their education studies through technology. The only thing you talked about in your post that may pose a problem when you are a teacher is e-mail. It can be a very valuable tool to contact parents but in today’s economy, not all parents can afford the internet or even a computer. It is important that we continue to use all means of contact when it comes to parents and students. Thank you for providing me with a great post to read.