Travis Allen has started the iSchool Initiative which would severely change the look of education today. In his nearly six minute video, The iSchool initiative (Mobile Learning), he discusses how the iTouch could save school upwards of four to five hundred dollars. He explains numerous iTouch applications that already exist and numerous other applications that could be created. According to Travis Allen, these applications could help students and teachers.
I do not agree with this educational approach. I believe that the use of this kind of technology in the classroom must be limited. If this kind of approach did come about and remove writing utensils and paper from classrooms, I believe this would hinder students and their abilities. Abilities such as penmanship could become nonexistent in a school setting. There should be a controlled blend of the use of technology and traditional teaching techniques in the classroom. I have recently seen what the good and bad are when using technology in the classroom and I do not like it.
Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir
Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir is an amazing and incredible compilation of voices.
Teaching in the 21st Century by Kevin Roberts (John Strange version)
The video Teaching in the 21st Century by Kevin Roberts describes how the new and improved technologies in the 21st century are impacting students and teachers. He describes ways in which an educator can use the technology and the different programs that students use to their advantage. Roberts provides the viewer with situations in which this technology cannot provide someone with the knowledge and skills that would remedy them. He continues to explain that problems such as plagiarism needs to be explained and taught. I feel that the positions expressed in this video are well thought out and productive. The examples that Roberts gives in his presentation, provide educators a significant amount of information to solve the issues of technology in the classroom. If Roberts is correct about the changes in learning and education, then all present and future teachers will have to mold their teaching abilities around the technology that has been produced and the technology that will be produced.
In the first video,
Why I Flipped My Classroom, Katie Gimbar describes her process of flipping her classroom and the reason why she flipped her classroom. I saw this process and as a interesting and effective way of involving each and every one of her students. I could definitely use this approach in my classroom if I find that my students are not being challenged and if they are not absorbing the material. Katie Gimbar's approach is very efficient, because she places herself in the middle of her students, instead of her being in the front of the class.
In the second video, Dr. Lodge McCammon's FIZZ - Flipping the Classroom, Dr. Lodge McCammon describes the process of FIZZ and how to implement it into the classroom. Students are now focusing on applying what they have learned while in the classroom, rather than that class time being used primarily for lecture. Students are able to see videos that are offered by their educators as many times as needed to learn the concept. This can cause them to come into the classroom with questions to be answered immediately. This challenges the students and engages them in the learning process.
In the third video, Flipping the Classroom - 4th Grade STEM, by Ms. Munafo, describes FIZZ or Flipping the Classroom to the outside world. This presentation is a great way for parents to see how their children are learning and the process of FIZZ. This new process is a great way to include technology in the classroom.
Hey Nancy, your post was great. I believe you met all the requirements for the blog assingment. There was a few errors but nothing major. I loved the virtual choir also. It was a master piece through the internet. I loved all the flipping the classroom videos. Its such a good idea. Its something I can really do in the future. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteNancy,
ReplyDeleteI thought that your post was inconsistent, because you had some parts with very good, detailed, and descriptive writing, and some parts with confusing word choice. Throughout the post, your tone remained very professional and insightful. The first section on Travis Allen's iSchool Initiative was very good! You expressed logical concerns with the initiative, as an educator, which is good! It's great to put upon the "thinking cap" of an educator! "There should be a controlled blend of the use of technology and traditional teaching techniques in the classroom. I have recently seen what the good and bad are when using technology in the classroom and I do not like it." This is a great statement and I see where you are coming from! Too much of a good thing can be bad!
In the post on Teaching in the 21st century, I thought your word choice was confusing. For instance, this sentence: "He describes ways in which an educator can use the technology and the different programs that students use to their advantage. Roberts provides the viewer with situations in which this technology cannot provide someone with the knowledge and skills to remedy those situations." I thought your point would have been a little easier to comprehend if you had shrunken it down and maybe written joined it with a comma. I guess you are trying to say that he does a pro/con kind of analysis? It wasn't too clear. Be sure to read over all your posts for clarity and word choice.
Keep up the good work,
Carly