FRIT 7235
After viewing the Youtube video "Did You Know?," I had a lot of "wow" moments and a lot more "humph" moments. By this, I mean that I was amazed by some of the facts and really taken aback by others. However, I also found the information to be a little dated. One statistic that really made this apparent was the one regarding super-computer abilities. As of 2007, a supercomputer was estimated to be able to out-think the human brain within 6 years...That would be last year. It is amazing to think that we have made it so far. I can remember back to 2006 without much trouble and all the advancements we have made are mind-blowing. Also, the lack of mention of Facebook dated the project. Myspace is ancient compared to Facebook and Facebook makes Myspace looks like child's play.
In preparing students for the 21st century, we need to be able to assist our kids with more than just how to navigate from page to page and type efficiently. Our students need to know about internet safety, threats, and security. They need to be aware of the permanence of data on the internet and the consequences of actions--especially considering cyber-bullying. Students need to be more self-aware and pay close attention to their actions. Based on the speed at which things are advancing, there is no telling what technology will be like in 10 years--5, even! Just think about the implications that Samsung phones' abilities have--eye tracking, fingerprint reading, voice recognition, and more. What about Google Glass? The ability to wear glasses that do more than we ever imagined computers would do. Our major responsibility should be to educate students how to be responsible, appropriate, and educated users. The focus on skills will only go so far if our students do now know how to be responsible users. We must attempt to be at the forefront of technology.
Using technology in the classroom can be tricky and there are a lot of safety nets that need to be in place, but it can be done. We simply need the training for the safe and appropriate use of technology in the classroom--whether that be BYOD programs or school-sponsered programs. Teachers who do not use technology may still be excellent teachers, but they may not be performing at their peak ability and they may not be reaching the children in the most effective ways. Students are so accustomed to technology that it is mostly second-nature to them. Although, you may be surprised to find that many students have not been taught how to use technology by somebody who has the know-how. Many of them have discovered how to do things by experimenting and finding out on their own. It is pretty incredible the things they have learned to do. Just imagine what they would be able to do were they trained and taught more effective and efficient ways of using technology--beyond basic computer programs, but on into mobile devices and personal technology. The future could be very bright...or very dark.
In preparing students for the 21st century, we need to be able to assist our kids with more than just how to navigate from page to page and type efficiently. Our students need to know about internet safety, threats, and security. They need to be aware of the permanence of data on the internet and the consequences of actions--especially considering cyber-bullying. Students need to be more self-aware and pay close attention to their actions. Based on the speed at which things are advancing, there is no telling what technology will be like in 10 years--5, even! Just think about the implications that Samsung phones' abilities have--eye tracking, fingerprint reading, voice recognition, and more. What about Google Glass? The ability to wear glasses that do more than we ever imagined computers would do. Our major responsibility should be to educate students how to be responsible, appropriate, and educated users. The focus on skills will only go so far if our students do now know how to be responsible users. We must attempt to be at the forefront of technology.
Using technology in the classroom can be tricky and there are a lot of safety nets that need to be in place, but it can be done. We simply need the training for the safe and appropriate use of technology in the classroom--whether that be BYOD programs or school-sponsered programs. Teachers who do not use technology may still be excellent teachers, but they may not be performing at their peak ability and they may not be reaching the children in the most effective ways. Students are so accustomed to technology that it is mostly second-nature to them. Although, you may be surprised to find that many students have not been taught how to use technology by somebody who has the know-how. Many of them have discovered how to do things by experimenting and finding out on their own. It is pretty incredible the things they have learned to do. Just imagine what they would be able to do were they trained and taught more effective and efficient ways of using technology--beyond basic computer programs, but on into mobile devices and personal technology. The future could be very bright...or very dark.
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