Blog Assignment 5

The iSchool Initiative

This is a very influential video published by Travis Allen when he was a high school senior. Travis addresses and brings out a solution for the massive budget cuts for schools. The iTouch is easy to use and can serve the needs of students as well as teachers and parents. Applications like Chemical Touch, Star Walk, and Formulae can provide the academic needs of a student. While Recorder can be used to record class lectures, Notes can be used to write lecture notes. These applications can also be used by teachers to send out to their students. Furthermore, iHomework is an application that breaks down courses for the student. Other applications like Calendar and Email can be used to stay up-to-date with assignments and due dates.

An application, such as Classic (which is a book reader that can access textbooks and library books), can have several advantages. Think about the paper, ink, and money it would conserve! With the continuing and increasing emissions of greenhouse gases, this would a great way for schools to become environmentally conscious. Travis says that school systems spend about $600 per student. On the other hand, the cost of iSchool would be only $150. Most importantly, iSchool is a great way to prepare children for the technological world. I agree with Travis on all of these points and believe that the iSchool should be adopted by all schools. Not only is it cheaper and environmentally conscious, but it also serves the needs of students in every way by enhancing the learning environment.


Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir

This is an amazing video to see if you want to see the power of the internet. It is unbelievable to see how 185 voices from 12 different countries have been put together to create this great performance! After watching this it is easy to believe that the Internet can provide a basis for so much creativity. It also reminds us of how we are not taking advantage of this great potential. Just image what can be done in the education system. With greater communication between students and teachers around the world, new ideas can spread and grow. Today's learners can become effective problem-solvers and leaders in tomorrow's world.


Teaching in the 21st Century

In this video, Kevin Roberts questions whether the school curriculum be focused on facts rather than skills. Since students can find facts anywhere and anytime, teachers are no longer the sources of information. Kevin points out that teachers are the filters of this information and should teach students how to use these resources to attain skills. Some examples that Kevin gives are how to get hired, how to find other routes to avoid traffic, and how to keep up with the latest innovations and ideas. Other skills that Kevin mentions are technological skills, such as podcasting, animation, and blogging, and being able to paraphrase, subscribe, twitter, reflect, and many others. Who will teach these students how to apply these tools in the correct way with accurate knowledge of pirating, plagiarism, copyright, and professionalism?

The availability and advances of technology has called for a change in teaching. I agree with Kevin and believe that these skills can be taught and experienced by the student. It is necessary that the student learn these skills to be successful. By making lessons engaging, educators can create effective learning built with the ability to problem-solve, evaluate, collaborate, and publish. As a future educator, technological resources can be utilized in a positive way to produce successful results. This blending of creativity with the requirements of the curriculum can prove to be a dynamic way to prepare the student for skills needed in the long-term. Similar to a point made by Kevin, as a future educator, I will have to prepare myself by researching new tools, collaborating with others already using these techniques, and taking some risk.


Flipped Classrooms

I believe that the approach of the flipped classroom is a great way to accomplish engaging learning. This technique has been applied by Ms. Gimbar and Ms. Munafo. In summary, the flipped classroom requires students to watch lectures and work corresponding problems at home before coming into the classroom. This gives the teacher time to facilitate learning rather than waste time lecturing. Since the lectures can be re-watched, struggling students can stay caught up.

I can definitively use this approach in my teaching. It is a way to use time wisely and incorporate additional, creative activities since the students will come already prepared. I will get more time to get the students to apply the knowledge rather than memorize.