Homework January 24, 2010

Micheal Wesch: A Vision of Students Today

This video is a real eye opener for students. I know it is for me. My experience as a student has been a rather interesting one. I graduated high school in 1999. After high school I went to Faulkner State Community College where I earned my associates in Criminal Justice in 2003. I then went to the University of South Alabama where I found myself in over my head and after three attempted semesters I withdrew. I suppose I was a lot like some of the students in the video, talking several hours a day on the phone, watching 2 or more hours of T.V. and not paying attention in class. I would spend less than 3 hours per week studying. I was taking for granted an opportunity that was once for so many people an impossible dream, a dream that is called education.

Several years had gone by and I found my degree useless and myself with no direction. Looking for some sort of path I was told that McIntosh High School was in need of a Special Education Paraprofessional and that the qualifications was to have earned at least 64 credit hours . Finally my A.A. was good for something. This is where my desire to teach began.

Although the Special needs children captured my heart I felt that Elementary School would be the best choice for me. I returned to school in the Spring of 2009. I'm not saying that my entire world revolves around school but I do put more energy into my education. I now realize that it's necessary. I guess the change of heart is due to maturity and responsibility however I could definitely be spending more time reading and a lot less time watching movies. From my experience as a student the only idea that I could add to the movie is to take into consideration the students age. I feel that it's difficult to tell an 18 year old to make a responsible decision about their future, if they don't already have a goal. For most 18 year old kids their social life is what most important during this time of life.



It's Not About the Technology by Kelly Hines

This blog was educational all in itself. I love how she describes her concepts. Kelly Hines really puts things into perspective with how brilliant she made the truth. I agree completely with her. We as educators do have a responsibility to be constant learners for the children as well as for ourselves. As we've already learned that technology is steadily advancing we should be learning steadily as well.

I agree with this Blog entirely. It's not about the technology as much as it's about the teacher. You can have the best of the best and if it's not being used then what good is it other than just collecting dust. We need to all take heed to Kelly Hines blog and learn something, as she said always be learners.



Fisch:Is It Okay to Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?


I think what Mr. Fisch is saying is that no it's not okay for teachers to be technologically illiterate and at the same time be effective and successful teachers. I agree completely with him. He is quite clear about how it is the students who are impacted by the lack of knowledge here. I feel that yes every teacher should have some basic knowledge of technology and to incorporate the use of it in our classes.

As we learned earlier from Kelly Hines that educators should be constant learners, well technology is also something we should be constantly learning about. The teachers should be willing to learn about technology not only for themselves but also for the student. Mr. Fisch writes that it's getting harder to be successful in the 21st century being technologically illiterate. That's not only true for teacher but for most companies. Even the cash registers at fast food restaurants are advancing. Like he said we need to experience this, explore it, and learn it. As educators it's up to us to help our students to become successful and effective citizens, lets not hold them back.



Gary's Social Media Count

It's astonishing how fast the numbers increase. They all increase faster than one second. It really gives you some sort of an understanding of the rapid growth of technology. If technology grows as rapidly as these people are doing things online then wow. I guess technology would have to grow rapidly to accommodate the fast high speed of all that's going on the internet today.