A Vision of K-12 Student Today - Reflection

Watching the last couple of videos I have realized a common message. The youth of America is digitally technological. It seems overwhelming that there is so much technology discover, learned and used. It also seems so much easier for our next generations to absorb the information and easier for them to learn. I feel a little overwhelmed with the thought of trying to keep up, but also intrigued that so many systems are now available to help teach students. It seems there is a program for everything. I wonder what technologies will be available in only two years from now, that kind of systems and programs will I be incorporating into my own classroom?

Millenial Generation Reflection

I suppose it is important to realize that technology is growing with the future generations. It is going to be highly important for teachers to keep up with the many changes in technology to be able to relate and understand their students. For instance if a teacher wasn't up to date with the "new" language of IM/Texting she would not be able to understand a common conversation with his/her students. This may result in the student feeling that their teacher was less adequate to be teaching them. Children already feel "smarter" than their parents these days because parents are turning to their children asking for help with almost everything, TV, IPODs, Computers, Phones etc so if the teachers are turning to the students asking for help as well then it gives the students the advantage.

Did I know?

Watching the video "Did You Know" brought a lot of realization to my attention. I am one of those people who is sure to have worked 14 different jobs before I am 38! I started out in college in Business Management, got my Associates, went back to school got certified as a Dental Assistant, went back to school and got certified as a Preschool teacher, then became a girls counselor and in between have worked as an Entertainment Manager for six years. I am now back in school getting a Bachelors in Elem. Ed.
Times are rapidly changing and it's true, people want to know and do everything they can. They want to be multitaskers who have worked several jobs and are knowledgeable in a variety of things. People today have to not only have a phone number or address but an e-mail, fax, website, facebook, myspace, you tube channel etc. to feel like they are in society. I would agree with the college students in video two. Is sitting in a classroom listening to a professor talk really worth our time when we can learn everything he might have to say on the Internet in 15 mins. It's and interesting realization.

"Pay Attention" reflection

Wow! I feel some what overwhelmed with all of those thoughts and I completely agree. I have never thought about how much technology everyone, everywhere depends on. It has all just seemed a part of life but until today I never really stepped back and thought about it. I realize now that I spend over three hours a day on the computer, there isn't an hour in the day I don't send or receive texts. It's amazing! It's an awesome idea to use these new tools to connect to students. Every student does have a cell phone and IPOD and they all love to use them so why not have them use these tools to learn. My husband receives text of the history channel every morning at 7 AM. What if every student in America signed up to receive the same texts, it's a little tidbit they could learn everyday and they would connect with it because it comes to the device they use in a language they understand! Great, incredible idea!