Blog Post #2

What Will Teaching in the 21st Century be Like?


Mr. Dancealot

     I think the central message of the Mr. Dancealot video is that teaching is more than just telling or giving facts about a subject. In this presentation the professor stood in front of the class giving a bunch of information on certain types of dances but he never got the class involved. Words were coming from his mouth but I don't think he was really "communicating" with them. Whenever a student tried to engage in the lecture, the professor asked them to sit down and listen. He did not ask anyone if they had any questions nor make himself available if help was needed. When it came time for the final, he put all the students in a room and expected them to be able to know what they were doing without any previous, real guidance on the material. I don't believe you can tell students to just listen in class and expect them to learn something. Teachers should connect and communicate with students to get them engaged in the material being presented to them. The classroom should be an environment where they feel comfortable to be able to be themselves and ask questions and share their thoughts.


Teaching in the 21st Century

    In watching Teaching in the 21st Century by Kevin Roberts,  I think Roberts sees teaching in the 21st century as using the resources and tools of technology as new and perhaps better ways to deliver information in the classroom.  There is endless data available through technology.  Teachers can help students learn the skills necessary to access and use the resources available to them.

        I.  When is the last time students:
             - created
             - evaluated
             - analyzed
             - applied
             - understood
             - remembered

          II.  How can data be gathered?
             - Twitter
             - Facebook
             - Rss Feeds
             - Crowdsurfing

    I agree with the ways Roberts sees teaching changing in that teachers are no longer the core source of gaining an learning information. I think incorporating technology in the classroom can help students become more proficient at being independent learners; helping them develop skills they will need in accessing and using the technology resources available to them. As a future educator it will be my goal to discover ways to integrate new technology in my teaching that will help students better absorb the information being given, as well as, develop skills in technology research and application that will help them beyond the classroom.


The Networked Student

    When I began to gain more knowledge on technology based learning, there was one particular though that kept coming to mind.  With all of the resources available will students ever get to the point where a teacher in the classroom is no longer necessary? However, this video by Wendy Drexler made some very good points as to why a teacher is still imperative. Drexler pointed out that teachers will still be needed to:

•  teach how to build a learning network
•  give guidance when someone gets stuck
•  shows how to tell the difference between good and bad information
•  help to organize the loads of information available

    I feel that as technology continues to evolve, teachers will in ways become students again themselves in learning new technologies. Then they can continue as educators to blend it into their lessons and give the guidance students will need in becoming familiar with using the resources available to them.

Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts

    I loved the point that Vicki Davis makes when she says that the students are "learning how to learn." I believe this is the thesis of her video. By not defining certain things she allows the students to explore and become thinkers. I agree with her argument that if there is only pencil and paper in a classroom then only certain types of students will be able to succeed. She looks at the  strengths and weaknessess of the class as  a whole and uses them to accomplish her curriculum. If teachers take the time to get to know their students better and discover their personalities, they, like Vicki Davis, can customize and accommodate learning for their class.

Who's Ahead in the Learning Race

    Watching this video by Dr. John H. Strange proves what I have been thinking to myself since I began EDM310 2 weeks ago. And that is that elementary aged students probably know more about using certain types of technology in the classroom than I do. I am willing to admit that the students in the video from Gulf Shores Elementary and likely other schools, are ahead of me in the learning race. I hope however, after completing EDM310 and continuing to learn and explore new technology as it evolves that I will be better equipped to teach it to my future students.

Flipping the Classroom

    The flipping the classroom approach is very new to me. In fact, I had never heard of it before watching this video by Dr. Lodge McCammon. I do believe it would be useful method to me as a teacher and my students. It would allow the students to be more prepared when they come into the classroom each day. By watching a video on the lesson the night before, students can pace themselves a little more with learning the material. If they get stuck on something they can go back and re-watch any portion they need to and make notes of questions they can ask in class the next day. I think using this approach would be very beneficial in a subject like math. It would have been great to be able to use this approach when I was in middle and high school!


Bringing the Locker Room into the Classroom

    This article by Craig N. Owens discussed how collaboration in the classroom can greatly benefit students. When students share information with each other it gives them the opportunity to learn from one another and teach one another. If a student can view other students not just as classmates but teammates, stronger connections can be made. Those connections can provide support and encouragement for one another that will be a great foundation not only for learning but succeeding.