Click the picture to see Mr. McLeod's Blog.
This is my reponse to a post from Scott McLeod. Mr. McLeod is an Associate Professor at Iowa State University. He works in the Educational Administration Program. He is also Director of UCEA Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education (CASTLE) which targets the technology needs of School Administrators. He is also co-creator of the famous (Did You Know? Shift Happens)
In this post Mr. McLeod sarcastically talks about how dangerous technology is and how you should never let your children use it. At first I was in shock, "how could this man think this", but after further reading I realized that he was using his scarcasm to make a point. By taking arguements against technology and proving them unimportant he shows how important technology really is. We can choose not to allow our children or students to use technology, but who are we really hurting in the long run? I think Mr. McLeod would agree with me in saying we are hurting them. Technology is at the forefront of our world and that dependence on technology will only continue to grow.
The iSchool Initiative
I just got done watching this wonderful video on YouTube created by Travis Allen who was at the time a 17 year-old high school student. This student is clearly wise beyond his years and I think we would be smart to listen to some of his ideas.
He talked about what he called the "iSchool". This is using iTouch technology to improve our schools. He talked about how we can use iTouch to reduce school cost. For example, you can now buy textbooks for your iTouch at a much lower cost and it doesn't use paper. So this is a win for students and our planet. You can also buy graphing and scientific calculators for your iTouch.
He also talked about making apps that will have classroom assignments and will be an easy way for the teachers to communicate with their students. It will also open up a way that parents can better communicate with their child's teachers.
From what I can tell the iSchool is a win-win for everyone, well maybe not the paper companies!
Lost Generation
Wow is all I can say. If you haven't seen this video yet I strongly suggest you watch it. At first you may be shocked at some of the things the narrator is saying, but trust me; watch it all the way through. It is a call for this generation to take a stand for the things that matter most. To realize it's not all about the money, fame, or fortune. It is a call to rebuild families. It is a call for change. Will you take it?
Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir
This is a video of 185 singers performing 'Lux Aurumque'. Normally you might say, so what, but these singers have never met and are from 12 different countries. The whole this is virtual. It was absolutely beautiful to watch and amazed me that they were able to sing in complete syncronization. It just goes to show what wonderful things can come about with our friend, technology.
Teaching in the 21st Century
This is a video originally created as a summary of the ASB Unplugged Conference in Mumbai, India 2010. You can watch it here. The fact of the matter is that teachers are no longer the main source of information in a student's life. They can simply turn to the internet and find anything they want to know. So what are teachers necessary for? I believe we are, like the video said, a filter. We're to steer them in the right direction. Open up a world where they can be their own teachers. We are not called to dump a ton of facts on them, we are called to give them the SKILLS necessary in order to have a sucessful life!
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