The videos pose an important question for those interested in the teaching field, "Are You Ready to Be An Educator?" Considering the fact that most of the jobs our students will be competing for are not even in existence yet, we had better get ready! No longer can we simply teach facts and dates. Our children need to learn how to research and learn and grow. They need to learn how to adapt to change. They need to learn how to take chances without fear of failure. I am not advocating that we throw out instruction in the three R's. Of course, our children need to be avid readers and capable writers. However, we can not wait too long before we turn to the job of enabling them to become learners in their own rite. Just as we know "teaching the test" is not a good practice, "teaching the job" is not even possible! I hope I am up to this challenge. I certainly want to be.
Mr. Winkle Wakes
Mr. Winkle Wakes by Mathew Needleman is a sad commentary on the failure of our schools to keep up with the changes taking place in our world. In the video, Mr. Winkle awakes from a 100 year slumber to find a completely unfamiliar world. The business world has changed with the use of computers, fax machines, teleconferencing, etc. Alarmed, our cartoon friend goes to the hospital to make himself feel better, but he is extremely disappointed to find change at the hospital with all kinds of new technology. Mr. Winkle is uncomfortable and confused. He is unsure and insecure in this new world. Finally, Mr. Winkle finds a place of solace - the school - unchanged and very familiar.
Unfortunately, Needleman's commentary is right on the mark. I agree that our schools suffer woefully with an outdated format. The average classroom is barren of technology. Even if the classroom does have a couple of computers, the amount of time a student could possibly access it is minimal. Furthermore, the average teacher is extremely ill-equipped to engage the students in the world of technology. However, with the funding crises faced by most school systems, I do not see an end to this problem. When eventually forced out into the real world, our children will feel just like Mr. Winkle, scared and confused. We must make the necessary changes now to ensure that this does not happen.
Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity
Wow! The Importance of Creativity by Sir Ken Robinson is one of the most inspiring talks I have ever heard for today's teachers. Robinson brings to light the idea that our schools actually educate our children out of their creativity. He asserts that school systems around the world are based on being "right." Understandably, our children begin to fear being wrong. Instead of taking chances with their creativity, they conform to the system. Our current educational systems were initiated to produce workers for industrializing countries. They were designed for workers who would live in a world and perform jobs of predictability and repetition. In today's unpredictable, ever changing world, this system of education is unacceptable. We need to encourage and capitalize on our children's innovation.
I agree wholeheartedly with Robinson's assessment of our current mode of education. Almost everything in our schools is geared toward getting the right answers. We are very test-oriented from first grade throughout postsecondary education (except for Dr. Strange's EDM310!!!). Also, our children enjoy only a minimal amount of arts education. Although I have some ideas about how to foster creativity in my own classroom, I fear that these ideas could be quelled by pressures from parents, administrators, and politicians. It seems that everyone is striving to meet that next high grade or score, which puts a lot of pressure on the teacher to make sure her students can compete well on these standardized tests. Robinson stated in his speech, "Creativity is as important as literacy." He proposes, and I agree, that they should be treated with the same status. I would really enjoy seeing more information about how to balance these two competing interests.
A Vision for 21st Century Learning
On the other hand, these tech-exposed children enter our school systems which are outdated for today's world. They receive instruction that is mostly passive. Lectures, fact memorization and textbook reading can not and will not prepare them for a future in this fast-paced world of technology. Rather, our educational system needs to rewrite itself. We need to prepare our teachers to be facilitators of learning and experimentation. We need to empower our students to explore and create. I believe this change would be a worthy transformation, but I fear I will never see it.
Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
Vicki Davis, an IT teacher in rural, south Georgia, brings her students face-to-face with the world through her innovative use of technology. In Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts she shares her belief that "every student can learn, but only certain types of students are going to succeed with only pen and paper." She also proposes the idea that a teacher does not have to know everything before she can teach it. She allows the student to take the initiative or lead the way in many situations. She refers to this scenario as "turning school upside-down."
Ms. Davis is obviously making an impact on her students' lives. No doubt, they will leave her classroom well on their way to being productive in today's technology saturated world. She is leaving her mark on the world of education, as well, through her blog and lectures. This video is a phenomenal example of what is possible in today's classroom.
Ms. Morris,
ReplyDeleteIn your opinion on the video "Did You Know," you write that you don't think it is possible to "teach to a job." I certainly hope that we, as educators don't end up teaching to jobs, like we do to tests, but I do think that it will be possible for us to educate and prepare our students enough to face the world of technology, once they leave our classroom.
I do agree with you in your analysis of "Mr. Winkle Wakes." Our classrooms are definitely outdated and need help. I certainly hope there will be funding for technology in classrooms.
In my blog post about Sir Robinson, I wrote that we need education to be less about testing and being right and more about real-life interactions and the ability to make mistakes. I read that you think that it is difficult to even keep art in schools now. Do you think it is even possible that we won't be teaching to tests for our entire careers?
I have an interesting note for the video on "21st Century Learning." In one of my college classes, my professor actually uses an overhead projector and transparencies! It's very difficult to pay attention, when you are having trouble reading his handwriting.
In your opinion on "Harness Your Digital Smarts," you mention that Ms. Davis thinks "only certain types of students are going to succeed with only pen and paper." I think that learning should be catered to each child because every child has a different learning style, some are visual, some are rote learners, and some are auditory. It's very important to be flexible and allow students to guide you when you aren't going quite the right direction. What do you think about children having different learning styles?
I really enjoyed reading your post.
Best,
-Eleanor Pomerat
http://pomerateleanoredm310.blogspot.com/
Ms. Morris,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your blog post! You gave me a new outlook on some things even though I watched the exact same videos.
"Are you ready to be a teacher?" is such a powerful question for the time we are living in. We as future teachers have to be prepared to take on an important job. It seems like you are very prepared to become an excellent teacher. We have a responsibility to keep up with technology to prepare our students for the world. I agree it is no longer just about dates and facts. What different ways have you considered incorporating creativity into the classroom?
-Michelle Nix
http://nixmichelleedm310.blogspot.com