I really enjoyed viewing all of the videos and reading the articles. It makes sense that students that have grown up surrounded by technology would of course learn differently than those that grew up without technology. I was born in 1974 which makes me a member of Generation X, I did not grow up surrounded by technology, but I have been exposed to technology and I try to implement it as much as I can with our 4th graders.
The video, A Vision of Students, today had me riveted. It was so interesting to take a walk in that classroom and read the signs that the students were holding. It made me think about my students, their learning and their futures and how can I have an impact on their lives.
The video, A vision of K-12 students, today helped me to understand why digital learning has an impact on our students. I remember in the first week of school asking my students about their summer breaks they mentioned how they would sit with their I Pads (all of their friends) and play games with each other. I remember thinking what about how my summer was filled with bike riding and playing jump rope but I must remember our students/children are much more interested in getting the instant entertainment.
The video, Education, Today, and Tomorrow, focused on how education looked in the past compared to how it looks now. Long ago students sat in rows and the teacher did all of the talking. Now we should be preparing our students to engage, apply and create which will also support the Common Core. My students love to work in groups to create a project, they really get motivated.
The Social Networking, video gave a quick example of how Social Media plays a huge role in networking. You are able to see relationships and possibly interact with those relationships. So many times I have found out from Face book that one of my sorority sisters is a friend of a friend and that sorority sister happens to know two other people that I have known for years.
All of the articles/videos helped me understand my students on a different level. My students have a very difficult time paying attention in class and retaining the information. That is because my students are digital learners and while I try to engage, apply and create with my students, we are still mandated to use the textbooks. At the end of each week I often reflect back on my positives and negatives for the week. I created a Kid blog which gives the students a question to answer about our Social Studies reading for the week. The students love it! When it is time to get the reading book out, I hear a lot of moans and groans.
All of the material this week describes most of my students. They live in a world full of Instagram, Face book and much more. In order for me to keep them engaged I need to create learning opportunities that mirror their world.
I really liked your idea of doing the kid blog, and "engaging" your students on their terms, I would love to hear more about that, how you set it up, participations and requirements. Great Idea!
ReplyDeleteI think that you bring up a good point about balance. In your discussion group this week, if the discussion starts to wane, bring up this concept of balance.
ReplyDeleteI loved your idea of the kid blog, I've been thinking about it all day and want to know more. What are your parameters, do you grade it, is it just participation, do the students discuss with each other? I really like this idea and see it as a way to use technology a bit more without the school having to invest money, that they don't have.
ReplyDeleteErika, the Kid Blog idea is one that I have not used, but my district uses Blackboard pretty heavily, and our tech people have been encouraging blog use. I have thus far dismissed that as the "one more thing" I did not want to take the time to do, but your suggestion is inspired.
ReplyDeleteAlso, we are supposed to have a textbook available for every student, but my AP Econ book was so bad, I gave up on it and wrote my own for my students--and supplemented it with YouTube videos embedded in Bb that they could use at home for extra practice. Some parents, especially for younger students in my experience, feel that their kids have to be reading the textbook or something is wrong. With older students, they seem more willing to accept that learning can be accomplished in other ways.
I would love to hear more about your Kid Blog
ReplyDeleteHello Babara-Yes Kidblog is wonderful. I mainly use it for Social Studies. I post engaging questions and they must answer within a specific time frame. The website is Kidblog.org. My students love it, not only are they learning but they are practicing with writing while becoming better thinkers.
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