Bob Dylan....

The Times They are a Changing..(in education)..


Go to this interesting short YouTube clip of a scenario of  education and the future.  You'll get a kick on the music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuyrP_HhWEg

So here we are in the class of the future, but where are we really :  In an archaic situation where are districts are worried so much about test scores rather than what the students are really learning.  What are we as teachers preparing the students for "future learning"?

Technology has been a big push in our classrooms since President Clinton in 2005 pushed for more technology in the classrooms. Unfortunately there is still not confirmed all across the board proof that technology has either improved our student’s test scores or overall improved either our reading, writing or arithmetic  academic abilities.  It has been a continuous difficult issue to measure since it is extraordinarily difficult to conduct studies when classes and schools can be so different, and technology is changing so quickly.

Since I am a promoter of technology in the classrooms, I believe there are so many other ways that this medium can improve our students and keep our teachers ahead of the curve, or at least ride the wave to keep students interested in learning.  Even though they say that “digital devices let students learn at their own pace, teach skills needed in a modern economy and hold the attention of a generation weaned on gadgets” it is the future of learning and teaching in my opinion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcXEznPXj8k

Unfortunately there are district leaders say that their position on technology has inspired students and helped them grow, but that there is no good way to quantify those achievements.  What is your opinion?

Technology is the future, and therefore why should education be the last to be a part of it?  We need to remember or realize that computers and instructional software are and should be a part of the educational process.  It will not replace teaching but should be a central part of the classroom to supplement the class.  But we do know that computers and technology is changing at such a fast pace that our students have to be kept up with this environment. Follow the link to the Kyrene District’s plan for technology in the classroom. Write back your opinion if you think it’s working.

The best part of the article expressed my innate feeling why we need computers in the classroom as part of our teaching world:  “Test scores are the same, but look at all the other things students are doing: learning to use the Internet to research, learning to organize their work, learning to use professional writing tools, learning to collaborate with others.” By Ms. Cator, director of the Office of Educational Technology of the United States Department of Education.

Follow this link to read about technology in the classroom: 

 http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/04/technology/technology-in-schools-faces-questions-on-value.html?pagewanted=all

Here is an interesting point of view about technology and if we just stand around, we won't go anywhere nor will our students.  Is that what you want?

[slideshare id=5348550&doc=5348550]

http://youtu.be/65-_ocuGODM (A fun video of Bob Dylan singing)