Blog Post 3

A Vision of Students Today


The most startling realization of this video was not the outstanding price for books or the massing amount of debt a student may have once graduating, but what the students "voice out" in the very beginning. The students held up a message that said "My average class size is 115" and " 18% of students know my name." When these types of messages are shown, it proves that many educational systems have eliminated quality and settled for just getting the job done. Many statements that follow those two, are ones such as "I will only complete 49% of my reading assignments" and "I buy text books I never open". In my opinion if quality in education was ensured through a more personal level between students and teachers, then it would guarantee a greater success in students' outcome. For example they would be more apt to read or actually put to use books they have purchased. In the end rather than just showing up students will end the semester more enriched because of teachers who took the time to know their name and provided a more personal atmosphere for all students to be engaged in learning.

It was also very eye opening that as a student we attempt to squeeze in all that is required of us into 24 hours, when in reality our schedule demands more time than a day can give. This calls for sacrifice in other ares, so what do you give up, work? focusing on school? sleep? social life? The demand to learn and achieve is great and with that comes the high price of multi tasking; however, I fully believe that in my generation and even more so for the next generation that sticking them in a class room will negate the very purpose for education. Because our society is so technologically advanced  it has become the core of how we communicate, work our jobs, socialize, etc. If technology is at the core of our society and without it as American's our country would seem to be tremendously crippled, then why isn't technology the core of education?  The minds of kids, teenagers, and many young adults are fueled daily by technology. As you can tell on this video, kids spend many hours on facebook, sending emails, talking on their cell phone, and things of that nature. So to stick someone with this way of thinking into a classroom, much like the one on the video with many desks and a blackboard limits their mind, bores their inquisitive minds and for the most part disengages them immediately. Technology has added color to our world and has allowed many students to become three dimensional in their ways of thinking so to stick them in a class room is like trying to make them re-enter a one dimensional way of thinking. Because of this, I believe many bright students will not make it as far as their potential could take them, and that's simply because when they walk in the classroom they get a similar message as many of these students.

Although it is easy to see problems with the educational system, it is also great to see instructors who aim to make a difference and improve it. Those are footsteps that future teachers should strive to follow in. Rather than settling, aim to be different.  In one of my classes, a professor here at south had all of the students play a name/fact game and within a few days she knew all of our names. Another instructor also remembered my name and as I passed her in the hall she addressed me. Not that knowing someone's name makes all the difference, but it definitely makes you (as a student) feel like you can approach that teacher for help and makes you feel like they want the best for your educational endeavors.

This was also  a link to a very encouraging video in response to "A vision for students today" called "A Faculty Response to A Vision of Students Today."  Great tips by instructors who are making education relevant and personal!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJxN8SIme18


It's Not About the Technology


This article by Kelly Hines was very enlightening. First of all the title of the article was very eye-catching! Great title to sum up the points of the article! The first point was phenomenal and I think it is the foundational key to being a great teacher. Kelly Hines said made the point that teachers must be learners. In order to teach what is most relevant to a student's life then a teacher must be willing to learn new methods of teaching and must we willing to stretch and grow. An evolving teacher will be the teacher that has the most success because students will learn from a teacher like that. In relation to the Medical Field say for instance a Doctor. A Doctor must stay up to date with new research on diseases, illnesses, cures, tools, and medications or else a patient may not receive proper treatment. I wouldn't want to go to a Doctor who did not know there was a certain vaccination if I was suffering with a certain illness because of his lack of "learning" in medicine. College is the platform for an educator, a classroom and daily life will be a place for the educator to continue to learn in order to be of use and most effectiveness. I completely agree with Ms. Hines. I hope to strive to be this type of teacher.
I also strongly agree with point two. How do teacher's measure success? SAT scores? ACT scores? Honor Roll? Completing the lesson plan? All of these are good scales, but what means the most is how much the student takes away and how much the student actually learns from the class. When success of a teacher is reliant upon how much the student learns it ensures that each student receives equal attention and a quality education. After having these two skills applied, technology in the hands of this kind of teacher will definitely become limitless in the classroom and allow a great learning experience for the students. In the hands of this kind of teacher technology can make all the difference. This was a great article and can be very applicable!

Is It Okay To Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?

It is very clever that he gave a warning saying "grumpy blogger alert!" Although some may have been offended by his post, I think that Dr. Fisch was right on target. Immediately as I read this I was reminded of one of my high school teachers who was so technologically illiterate. This would be a great read for him! I think it should be absolutely mandatory for teachers to have a working knowledge of the different facets of technology in the classroom to allow education to become more innovative. Considering many students lives are made up of technology from their social life, to the news, to how they complete school work etc. then a teacher should most definitely be able to properly use technology in order to teach to his/her fullest potential, if not they would be limiting the students.
The quote in the blog was very true! If a teacher today 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 and write.
It is very interesting that people find it socially acceptable to admit they aren't very good at math but you really don't hear many say they cannot read.  In the same manner you hear many people say they do not know how to use computers or certain cell phones etc.  I don't think it's okay for teachers to be technologically illiterate. I think that it should be as important as the other recourses educators use! 


Gary's Social Media Count


 As I sat and watched the numbers quickly increase on the media count, I was amazed! Technology is literally moving at a rate faster than the human mind can comprehend! As I think back over my childhood I remember how internet became popular (dial up of course), we had VHS then transitioned to DVD and Blue Ray. We went from the cord phones, to cordless phones, to car phones, then to cell phones, and now smart phones, plus so many other inventions.In just 22 years life as we have known it has changed, and is changing. In just a few short years computers have changed. With this rapid pace, who knows what the future looks like. Who knows what I will by using to complete homework my senior year of college or during my career. 


Viewing this is hard to wrap your brain around, but definitely broadens your horizons and makes you really wonder "what could be?"