I see that there could be some major mishaps. Let's be honest, kid are clumsy and sometimes careless. What would happen if their device was broken, stolen, or even lost? Does the school have to replace the item or does the student. I can understand how it would save the schools money after the intial purchases for the school, but how much would it save if they had to replace 100 or more iTouches a semester? Some schools would be further in the hole than if they hadn't switched to full technological learning. I also think that it could be extremely beneficial in some classes. However, I can not imagine taking notes in math on my iPod. I have many questions that I would like to ask so I could choose to be on either side of the fence. I have read into some comments from Allen and he says he takes all of his notes on his iPad, so clearly it can be done. It would be interesting to go from a 35 pound backpack to a 1.5 pound backpack to say the least.
Jennifer Chamber's Post with Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir Video
I think this video is absolutely incredible! I have showed it to my family and they loved it too. I think it is amazing to see how much technology can bring people together in ways we have never thought about. I would like the see a "Virtual Choir: Behind the Scenes" personally and see exactly how much time, effort, and hard work was put into making this choir. This is an inspiring video.
Teaching in the 21st Century
In the video Teaching in the 21st Century: By Kevin Roberts, John Strange Version, is an eye opener. I have never realized how less students will be relying on a teacher for information. I have even caught myself doing the same thing and just never realized I do it until now. I do believe that teachers should be more focused on giving the students the applications on the assignments and not the broad information. Speaking for myself and others I'm sure, the information given to us is not near as valuable as being able to apply it to other problems. I can memorize the form to solving a dervative but if I cannot apply it to a problem on a test then the formula does me no good.
I do believe that Robert's is right, it may not be within years, but eventually he will be right. As an educator, I will focus more on helping my students to apply the problem rather than giving them information that can be found on the internet, or even if they simply read the book. We need to engage our students so they will look forward to learning.
Flipping the Classroom
I think that flipping the classroom is an excellent idea for some classes. However, I cannot expect a student to fully understand everything they watch immediately. I can honestly say, at one point of another, I have been a part of each section of Katie Gimbar's class divisions. The only section I would want to stay in is the "middle group" that is currently on task and following the discussion. As I said in the last section (Teaching in the 21st Century) I want to focus on the applications of problems. I like that she is able to seperate the kids and focus on their specific needs. I also think that Mrs. Munafo's video gave the parents a little bit of insight of how their children would be learning. I think this would be an exceptional way to teach, especially in a math setting. I can't say that I would be prepared to teach this way as a first or second year teacher but possibly by my fifth year I would like to give this idea a whirl. Another video you may what to watch is Dr. Lodge Cammon's FIZZ to further understand "flipping the classroom."
iPods and iPads are now becoming widely used in schools throughout the world. The breakage or loss rate is extremely low. Generally school districts insure them at a fraction of their cost. This means (or the insurers would charge more) that only a very few are broken or lost. Reports from the field indicate that the students are very protective of these devices because they are very important to them and highly desired. Opponents speculate about this all the time. Most predict 10% loss. Data show that the loss/breakage rate is probably less than 1%. You build the insurance for loss and breakage into the cost structure. It is a small fraction of the cost.
ReplyDelete"However, I cannot expect a student to fully understand everything they watch immediately." Does this only happen when the student watches a lecture out of class? I would think not. So what is your argument?
"...bit of incite of how their children would be learning." insight, not incite Better to write: insight as to how rather than of how.
"...but possibly by my fifth year..." Why that long? Five years is a long time in today's educational world. A very long time!
Interesting.
I am also on the fence when it comes to Ischool. With technology advancing at such explosive rates it is inevitable to bring technology into the classrooms. Some of my issues were when and what classes would benefit with the integration of this type of technology. Two points that you brought up were obvious but didn't cross my mind; whose responsible for lost and or stolen itouches and also kids and their clumbsy nature. Your blog post is set up logically spell checking was obviously done, however, having someone else proof read it prior to posting could catch the correctly spelled words in the wrong places. Like "of" instead of "or".
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