Blog Post #2

Did You Know?
The video entitled "Did You Know? 3.0 - A John Strange 2012 Version" exposes some very shocking issues. We Americans have, in a sense, lazy with not only our teaching techniques, but our motivation to learn, as well. If we do not wake up, pull together as a nation, and ignite more momentum behind our education systems, our future generations (and possibly some our own generation) will be gravely disturbed by the academic and occupational crises which they may be unable to escape. The video as a whole was immensely surprising, but the statistics that caught me off guard the most were those about honors students, speaking the English language, and the future jobs involving technology.
The fact that India has more honors students than America has students was beyond depressing. Granted that there are intelligent students in our country who will go forward to succeed in ways that most will never experience, our schools are not using the techniques, tools, or discipline that will more likely ensure that the MAJORITY of our students will reach academic excellence, not just a handful of students. The statistics of English speaking children is also frightening. If more students in China than the U.S. will be speaking English in only a few short years, what does that say about our language arts/English curriculum for the public education system here, when English is our main native language? Another key point in the video that stood out to me was the facts about future jobs and technology. The truth is that in a short number of years, we will have occupations in this country that we do not even know about. As we speak, we barely have enough people trained and qualified for the current careers in our society. Technology use in classrooms should be used and promoted now more than ever. Obviously, it is a crucial element to our lives now and for our future.
The facts that are presented in the video are terrifying, but it does not have to remain this way. Those of us who are enrolled in EDM 310 are on our way to becoming teachers, the future hope for America's classrooms. Although we have become somewhat lazy in helping children strive to reach their fullest potential and accurately in sync with the world around them, we can act now. If we work together as a team, we can push our future students into achievements and successes that, right now, we cannot even fathom, and the scarcity of honors students, weaknesses in our language arts programs, and technologically illiterate workers will never be an issue.
Mr. Winkle Wakes
"Mr. Winkle Wakes" is an interesting video that, in my opinion, shows both the pros and cons of technology use in our world today. Mr. Winkle was highly confused when he awoke to find technology use so predominant everywhere that he went. While we as an audience were shown how technology was helping get things done quickly and more efficiently, such as people who were across the world from each other conducting business meetings through a screen, he saw a society full of busy people who were impersonal and had lost real means of communication. When the hospital scene showed machines helping breathe life into people, Mr. Winkle saw a lack of real humans caring for one another. It didn't take him long to realize that the world around him had become engulfed in modern technology.
When Mr. Winkle arrived at the school and became involved in the classroom, his guard began to slowly be let down. There, Mr. Winkle saw that he could relate to the students who were learning about reading, writing, and math, and understood note-taking and listening to the lecture of a teacher. There was one computer inside the classroom, the only window to technology use there, and Mr. Winkle was relieved at the end of the day. He finally came to the conclusion that no matter how much things changed and evolved over a long period of time, some things would remain the same.
In my opinion, this video helped promote technology use while being complimented by real, interpersonal relationships throughout the field of education. Technology has become a key ingredient in the world today. This video reminds me that no matter how much I may not like or understand technology, I will never be able to escape it. However, it also showed that no matter how much technology use is active in society, personal communication, from one human to another, cannot be completely discontinued. Although Mr. Winkle was shocked by what he saw in this day and time, he was comforted with the familiar sense of teaching and learning by a person speaking to him. Technology may be important, but it is those of us behind the technology that can sometimes make a world of difference in opening someone's mind.
Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity
This video brings to life the vitality of human creativity in classrooms abroad. Dr. Robinson makes many profound statements and emphasizes the dramatic impact that support for creativity can have on a child's life. Throughout his speech, Dr. Robinson stresses that creativity is part of intelligence, can empower students to be successful, and that the suppression of it can bring forth failure and discouragement.
Dr. Robinson used the example of a choreographer to promote success and intelligence with human creativity. In her earlier school years, she wasn't seen as smart by her instructors because of her energy and weak connection to her studies at the time. Her personality was discouraged, and she was on the verge of being medicated due to lack of acceptance from those around her. It only took one person who believed in her and encouraged the dancer within her to help her find the right school and course of study, graduate, and become a millionaire by using her talents and abilities constructively. Not only was encouragement of creativity the main focus of this presentation, but the negative effects of discouraging it, too. The dancer/choreographer/millionaire would have never gone on to dance school, graduated, choreographed highly successful Broadway shows, or embraced her true skills if she had continued to be told that she was unintelligent. The sad truth, however, is that many children in schools today are being told the same thing. We may never know what brilliant minds we have covered up with a blanket of low self-esteem, but it does not have to continue.
Educators in our country and around the world alike need to realize the actual definition of intelligence. Because a child is not inclined in Calculus or Physics does not mean that they have nothing to offer this world. Now is the time to encourage the arts and creativity like never before. If we do not, we will definitely miss out on some of the most influential minds, spirits and leaders that are world will ever see.
Mr. Winkle's view of the world is similar to the ideas of Dr. Robinson. Mr. Winkle was familiar only with what he knew. When he awoke to a world that had been completely transformed by technology. He immediately was confused by what he saw and rejected it because it was a society of routines and standards that he was not used to. Similarly, the negative attitudes of those who have only promoted one side of education in Dr. Robinson's video were much like this. Instead of embracing talents that can help enhance and bring balance to the world, they have rejected creativity because it is out of their comfort zone; they have never thought of it as something to help the human race thrive.
With such a comparison, we can see the importance of embracing a child no matter what his or her talents and strengths may be. Discouraging someone because they can sing and not remember an ungodly amount of facts not only harms that person's future, but our own, as well, putting us at risk of being ignorant and close-minded individuals, missing out on those who can bring us timeless gifts through their abilities. Now, more than ever, is the time to support every talent we come in contact with. If not, a part of the child who is discouraged may die, along with their chance to bring the world joy in ways never before seen.
Pinterest: Using Availabe Resources
The video tutorial on how to use Pinterest is very helpful in showing a variety of teaching tools, methods, and techniques that can be used in classrooms everywhere. It has revolutionized the creativity of teachers and helps bring fun in learning to a whole new level. While each of these tips seemed helpful, the organization and lesson plan aspects are the ones that I will probably use the most as an educator. Organization is something that I am unable to go without even just one day. It is important to me not only to know where things are, but to know that everything is done neatly and in its rightful place. In my opinion, a teacher will most likely be ineffective in not only teaching, but in time management as well. If I cannot keep myself and my things in order, How can I expect an orderly classroom? The idea of using Pinterest to enhance lesson plans is also very intriguing. As I have said before, children will be more likely to be unenthusiastic about learning if it becomes another mundane routine in their daily lives. Add fun, excitement, and creative elements to learning, however, and you will find a group of students who will be more open-minded and hungry for knowledge. Pinterest has become a household name around the world. By using it, I feel that I will be better able to relate to students, help them excel intellectually, and bring joy to their learning experience.
Many of the boards under the "The 20 Best Pinterest Boards About Education Technology" list seemed very helpful in promoting technology within school systems. I chose to follow two boards, and they were Vicki Davis and TED ED News. Vicki Davis interested me because she was described as a "cool" teacher, something that is sometimes hard to find in distinguished educators today. Judging by her choices in pins, she seems to be creative in her teaching methods and promotes exciting new ways in which technology can appeal to students and teachers alike. I also decided to follow the TED ED News board. I am vaguely familiar with the TED ED website because of seminar videos I have had to watch in past classes. Everything that I have seen of this website so far has been both refreshing and inspiring, and I could see that they promote the same type of messages through their pins on Pinterest. All of the boards seemed beneficial to technology promotion in schools, but these two happened to spark my interest the most.
Pinterest is quite possibly one of the biggest revolutions to ever hit the field of education. Not only is it a way to embrace fun, creativity, and new ideas, it also is a way for those who are not swift technology users (like myself) to step out into the unknown and enhance our own skills in that area. From what I have seen so far, Pinterest is something that is guaranteed to help people in some way. Whether you are a person who lacks neatness and order or you need a modern twist in lesson plan ideas, Pinterest has everything one could possibly need to bring up-to-date techniques to the classroom. When I become a teacher, I plan to use Pinterest for many purposes on a weekly basis. After being exposed to all of the benefits it can offer, I will continue to use Pinterest in the field of education to provide my classroom with the perfect combination of exploration, imagination, and achievement.