Blog Post #5

The ischool initiative and the Zeitgeist Young Minds entry were both videos made by a young man by the name of Travis Allen. Travis's videos elaborate on the importance of technology in the classroom. Travis started pursuing his debate when he was just 17 years old at a high school in Georgia. He believes by the presence of technology in school systems around the world, the education of our students would improve dramatically. In the first video, Travis asks the question "Does technology belong in the classroom" and proceeds to explain his the reasons he believes technology should without a doubt become a part of every classroom.

When Travis produced the first video at age 17, he told of many great apps available to help students learn and to drastically change the teaching methods of all teachers. The apps Travis mentioned were those such as chemical touch, world wiki, starwalk and so many more that could be of aid for any student at any subject. Travis also talked of how emailing is a form of technology and how big of a tool it alone has became in the world we live in. The main issue that many have about technology becoming present in school systems is the educational income. Travis thoroughly explained how the income would become available if all paper, pencils, copy makers, and books were replaced by forms of technology such as computers and i pads. He concluded that with the present way of educating, the cost of supplies per student was around $600 while if schools were to turn completely towards technology to educate the cost per student would be approximately $150. Not only would the use of technology save school systems money, Travis explained how turning to technology would be environmentally safe!

After watching both of Travis's videos, I have to say I am even more of an advocate for technology in classrooms. The only issue I have ever had about trying to bring technology into classrooms is having the income. When Travis explained that the present use of paper, pencils, books, and copiers are costing schools over $600 per student I could not believe my eyes! If this is true, there is no excuse why our school systems should not use technology to help our future leaders learn. Like Travis stated, I cannot see where the cost of using technology in the classroom could be anymore than using all the supplies that presently run our classrooms.

Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir was absolutely breathe taking! I never realized just how much you can do when dealing with technology, it really ceases to amaze me. This choir piece just goes to show the world how endless the possibilities are with the use of technology.



The video Teaching in the 21st century by Kevin Roberts is a well thought out illustration of the importance of technology in our present world and how important it is that we as teachers allow our students to become familiar with different forms of technology. From watching the video, I believe Roberts meaning of teaching in the 21st century is all about engaging students to learn instead of just becoming a "teacher" alone. He states that teachers of the 21st century are no longer the main source of knowledge, but rather a filter of information. I strongly agree with Roberts on the current role of teachers and believe that as educators we must realize what Roberts has illustrated for us in his video, of all the technology that surrounds us, is very true. Our new generation of kids are no longer engaged in sitting down reading books or writing a paper. The new generation of students are more so engaged in all that Roberts explained: blogging, Facebook, Google, commenting, Wikipedia, twitter, and much much more! Knowing the new way of engaging children, educators should take this fact and run with it! They should enable students to blog and post comments in their daily assignments. Teachers should require their students to email and tweet with any questions that may or may not arise throughout the lesson.



Dr. Lodge McCammon's FIZZ video explains why and how to "flip" a classroom from zero technology to numerous technological devises. Lodge begins by telling how a classroom with too much lecturing is inefficient and not engaging for many students. He then tells of how to change your non-engaging classroom to just the opposite in order to better server your students. Lodge explains one way to better engage your students is by having them watch a "FIZZ" video such as his and see the difference in how the students respond to it rather than strict lecturing. By using videos in the classroom you are creating way more available class time for any questions the students may have and also are allowing a source that can be view repeatedly if necessary. For these two reasons alone, I could definitely use FIZZ videos within my classroom.



Flipping the Classroom-4th Grade Stem is another example that explains transforming a classroom into using multiple technology systems available. This video used methods of having the students watch videos and view assignments at home as their "homework" assignment in order to allow the students to better prepare for the day to come. This method enables students to already have an idea of what they may or may not be struggling with in the classroom the next day. This method of flipping allows for the teacher to become a facilitator rather than just a person giving lectures. Students also broaden their minds by becoming higher level thinkers! Knowing that students are gaining so much more information from a "flipped" classroom is enough reason in itself for me to want to use this method of technology in my classroom.