Sunday, June 13, 2010
Life Presentation and Blog Post 3
The iSchool, however innovative it may seem, is also very hard to consider to replace everything in a school system. I understand saving paper and going green, that's all very awesome, but I don't think that the size of the system should be that of the iTouch. I know for me that it becomes very frustrating at times to have to zoom-in on my smartphone's screen, or even sometimes just get out my laptop to save my eyes from strain. I think a iPad-sized screen to a 8 1/2" x 11"-sized device that has this iSchool system installed would be taken too much better.
I am in agreement with Travis that the iSchool system is one that would benifit the WHOLE school, and that it is something that would maximize our use of technology. Something like the iSchool could possibly eliminate lockers, backpacks, and even classroom shelving, but at the same time I think that couldn't something like this also eliminate the need for the school building itself?! If the teacher had so much accessibility to her students, classes could potentially go soley internet-based, and the classroom would be a mythological place. This brings me to say that the iSchool is a very neat idea, however in Travis' description I feel like it would be a replacement for school, and I believe we need to be able to learn subjects in ways that are in conjunction with technology and not learn soley through technology. Technology is a tool for our students, but I'm not so sure it should be a replacement for school.
Lost Generation
AWESOME video! I feel like this is a neat use of poetry-like writing, and I really thought it was neat how it could be read in reverse. I hated hearing it at first because I feel like the statement is a truth about our developing world and upcoming generations, but it gave me chills that the piece could be read in reverse to give the listener peace, and a glimpse of hope. I must say that this video was very well done, and a great use of technology, however I didn't really feel like it had much to do with incorporating technology into the classroom.
Virtual Choir
Totally incredible! That performance was mind blowing, and how it was done, even more so amazing! Going against my previous statement about the iSchool, I think i would be alright with seeing music being taught using only technology. These people were able to work together over the web to produce a beautiful piece of music led by a conductor. I feel, however, that music is somewhat something that is more universal when it comes to learning how to preform it, and using it (i.e. singing). Now I know readers, you are probably thinking "you do know Anna, that not everyone can sing?", but I also feel like music is much more basic than say chemistry, or learning a foreign language. It seems to me that it wasn't too hard, for even such a large group such as in the video, to get together and sing in tune over the internet. I did enjoy seeing this use of the internet though, and would show it to students of my own as an example of how very fortunate we are to have such incredible technology to use.
Don't teach your kids this stuff:
Scott McLeod, J.D., Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Educational Administration program at Iowa State University. He also is the Director of the UCEA Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education (CASTLE), the nation's only center dedicated to the technology needs of school administrators, and was a co-creator of the wildly popular video, Did You Know? (Shift Happens). He has received numerous national awards for his technology leadership work, including recognitions from the cable industry, Phi Delta Kappa, and the National School Boards Association. Dr. McLeod blogs regularly about technology leadership issues at dangerouslyirrelevant.org.
Dear Mr. McLeod,
I really enjoyed reading this post, but I have to disagree with it. Students need to know what technology is out there for their disposal. The classroom, I believe isn't going anywhere, it's simply getting a makeover that will be a tremendous improvement for students of future generations. Technology I hope will only encourage our students to want to do more!
I read your post for Dr. Strange's EDM310 class and hope that you will check out my blog along with other students' in my class.
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Anna,
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with your ideas about the iSchool. I understand that technology is an important and innovative tool that can be used in the classroom but it should not replace the classroom. If kids do not have the attention span to sit in a classroom, how will they have to attention span to do their work on an iPod?
The iPad, I agree, is a much better choice. But don't be surprised if schools become baby sitting centers and learning is delivered primarily through technology. I expect it to happen within 10-15 years unless schools radically change which I do not think will happen. Colleges may disappear (for the most part) even sooner!
ReplyDeleteAs for the poem, you are correct. It was developed as a political piece. In Chile I think. Maybe Argentina. Why don't you find out.
The choir is more important for the world wide cooperative effort it seems to me. But you are correct that it supports the iSchool argument.
You missed the point of Dr. McLeod's post. It was satire and was making the point you said you support.