Blog post # 2

Mr. Dancelot

In the video Mr. Dancealot, it shows what it is like when a teacher does not engage with the students. In the classroom it is important to make learning as interesting as possible. This video gives a good perspective on how easy it is for a lecture class to become boring for the students. I believe the central message of this video is to show educators how important it is to interact with the classroom. The conclusion of this video shows the confusion among the students. It proves that lack of communication can lead to many problems.

Teaching in the 21st Century

- What does it mean to teach in the 21st century

-  How technology affects teaching

- What should the student be focused on

- How the teacher should engage with the student

1. In the video Teaching in the 21st Century, Roberts reveals how education is relying more and more around technology. He explains how easy it is to receive all information. Roberts states "Teachers are no longer the main source of knowledge, we are their filter". The simplicity of the internet allows everything to be easily accessed online. With the advancement of technology students now have the ability to learn on their own. Teachers are now expected to filter out what students may already know with what they need to learn. With the information he gives I feel that he thinks teaching in the 21st century means all teachers should be closely connected with technology.

2. Roberts states "Students can find information on anything, anytime, anywhere". This statement is an example of how simple it is for students to access all types of information. He also brings up the point that students may know how to use Google but do they really know how to go beyond that.

3. I agree with how Roberts looks at the changing of teaching. He brings up the point that students need to be engaged and not entertained. I completely agree with his way of looking at teaching.

4. If the arguments Roberts states are true I believe it will have a huge impact on me as a future educator. With students becoming more dependent on technology it makes it that much more important for teachers to be just as dependent on it as well.

The Networked Student

In the video The networked student, the viewer is asked "Why does the networked student even need a teacher?". The student is given plenty of resources to complete the work on his own. He even has access to reach out to other teachers as needed. After hearing what he was given I found myself beginning to ask the same question, does he really even need a teacher? As I thought about this I then realized, of course he does. Myself, as a student going into the education field, I understand how important having a teacher really is. A teacher is there for not only keeping the student on track but for guidance and support. They are there to help the student through the whole learning process.

Harness your Students Digital Smarts

In the video Harness your students digital smarts, Davis explains how important it is for students to connect with each other. I was very interested in the points she made. As a future educator I am open to different teaching techniques. I enjoyed seeing the way she uses technology when teaching her class. She expresses how much it helps her students get interested in their work. For me student interaction is an important key to have in any learning environment. I look forward to possibly using some of these techniques in my classroom one day.
Who's ahead in the learning race?

I found the video Who's ahead in the learning race? very interesting. I think the first graders are by far ahead in "the learning race." Children today are exposed to advanced technology before they even reach kindergarten. Our world today strictly revolves around technology and the ability to use it. We are becoming more and more reliable on it. When I was in first grade we didn't even have a computer in our classroom, now each student has their own personal computers. Students today are more use to the advanced technology because they are so exposed to it at such a young age.

 Flipping the Classroom

Before watching the video flipping the classroom I did not know what this was. I personally do not like this new way of learning. I believe students should learn the main part of the course in the classroom. If the student is told to watch a video of the new lesson at home they may not fully understand what is going on. Every student learns differently and some may need more one-on-one attention, or a slower walk through of the information. If the student is at home watching the video they may not learn everything to their full potential. I do not think it is fair to the student to have to learn anything this way. They should be taught by their teacher in a classroom setting.