Blog Post 2

Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod: Did You Know? 3.0

Did you know there are 24 hours in a day? Did you know that we decide how to use our time? “We are living in exponential times.” What does that mean? Click here for the definition. Today’s society isn’t simply defined by it’s pace. Is it? Tell me that there’s more to life than just joining the rat race.
Yes, information is coming hard and fast. Yes, technology has and will continue to influence what we do with our “time.” We must use our time wisely and not allow technology to make us idle thinkers but active learners. As for the statement, “By 2013 a supercomputer will be built that exceeds the computational capabilities of the human brain;” we must not forget that the human brain is superior to machines. Machines can’t feel or express real emotion. While the information in this video is compelling, it shouldn’t send us into a panic about “keeping up.” We have been and will continue to be learners. We are innovative. We can use the tools of technology to our advantage. This will require us to be life long learners. Isn’t that exciting? We must use the exponential flow of information to make the world better for the time we have in it.

Matthew Needleman: Mr. Winkle Wakes

This video was a creative way to convey the message that most if not all schools in America need continued funding for technology in order to keep up with the demand for new and better tools for learning. We should never become “comfortable” with the status quo. Our students deserve better. How much respect can a student have for a school system whose technological resources are antiquated? How can we expect our students to compete in the marketplace with outdated technological skills? Unfortunately, with proration looming, the top priority must be keeping teachers in our classrooms! It is the sad state that we are in at the moment. The plain truth is that tough decisions have to be made on how to allocate funds. With much regret, technology may be forced to take a back seat until our economic climate improves.

Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity

I wholeheartedly agree with Sir Robinson that “Creativity is as important in education as literacy and we should treat it with the same status.” “No Child Left Behind” could be called “No Child Makes Mistakes.” Sir Ken’s comments argue this point when he says, “We’re now running our national education systems where mistakes are the worst thing you can make. The result is that we are educating people out of their creative capacities.” Education has been moulded to meet the needs of industrialism. Creativity is snuffed out for job training. He cited an alarming statistic, “In the next thirty years, more people will be graduates through education since the beginning of history. Suddenly, degrees aren’t worth anything.” Is that where we stand today? It is our responsibility to teach the whole being and value creativity equally with literacy and technology. Job creation in hard economic times will rely on creative thinkers.

Cecilia Gault Interviews Sir Ken Robinson

What do you get when you combine a young, creative mind with today’s technology? You get Cecilia Gault’s blog post with a linked video interview of Sir Ken Robinson! I applaud Cecilia for her interview skills and composure. Her article was informative and well constructed. She put forth statistics that should challenge each of us to improve our standing in the global educational community. After viewing the video and reading the article, I wanted to know more about Finland’s curriculum. Here’s a link to a 2009 article I hope you’ll find interesting.
Finland offers a single straightforward curriculum in all schools and emphasizes “creative problem solving.” The article points out that Finland has made education a national priority and maintains top funding for schools and educators. This was echoed in Sir Robinson’s interview comments.

Vicki Davis: Harness Your Students’ Digital Smarts

Vicki Davis is a “teacherpreneur” who should inspire us all to embrace technology! What’s not to love about every aspect of the classroom featured in the video? I admire that she strives to as she put it, “customize the classroom to students.” Every student featured in the video appeared engaged in the task at hand, collaborating as a team. You could just see the wheels turning in their minds and that’s what technology can do. Turn school upside down! If anyone remains unconvinced that technology can make a difference for all learners, and teachers for that matter, they have only to watch Vicki Davis and her class at work! Wouldn’t it be great if projects like Digiteen and Flat Classroom were part of the everyday curriculum in our schools? This would allow students who don’t have the opportunity to travel abroad to experience other cultures as Vicki’s students have.