After reading the Juke's article from module 1, I realized that teachers and education administrators have a huge task to undertake right now more than ever. It is our responsibility as educators to understand the ever-changing psychology of learning, and adapt our teaching styles to suit the needs of each new generation of students. The curriculum needs to be taught in ways that our students are comfortable with and can relate to. The way we are comfortable learning is not stimulating enough for students who have grown up with computers and high-tech gadgets in their homes. It is necessary for us to challenge ourselves and learn to be fluent in modern technology in order to teach our students using high standards and working them at the proper level. As teachers, it is especially important to keep informed and continually learn of new advances in technology as well as be aware of any new resources as they become available.
The Secretbuilders website seems to be a great new resource being developed. It includes many of the desirable features and assets discussed in the Juke's article. Designing projects with this website and others like it will be a fitting way to educate the current generation of students. Working online in an interactive community where their ideas are published to a wide audience of their peers will be a motivating and enjoyable way for students to learn. It incorporates audio, visual, text, and individual creativity to stimulate the fundamentally different way that students now learn. Students and teachers can take a personal interest in using a site like this because it is a very adaptable tool, and when used well can support any type of lesson with successful results.
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Thanks, Ginette.
ReplyDeleteYour reflection is excellent. Although Secretbuilders may not be for everyone, it is a resource that a teacher may be able to use.
Great work!
Hi Ginette! I agree with you wholeheartedly. I have two small children at home (7 and 5) and their ability to use the computer is amazing. The 7 year old teaches me stuff and I consider myself pretty tech savvy! I liked your idea about having young kids learn keyboarding and being issued laptops. I firmly believe that every student should be issued a laptop when s/he enters kindergarten and should have that equipment until high school (or until new equipment is necessary). Not only does it give the child access to a pc (I'm sure some low income families may not have a home pc), but it can actually serve as a mobile student portfolio with the child's work stored on the laptop and it moves with the student from grade to grade. Of course naysayers will say that there isn't enough money but isn't Pres. Obama trying to give the education system a ton of money?? If so, where does it go? It should be spent on the "future" which I think technology and having a laptop would go a long way to making that dream a reality!
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