Blog Post #2

Did you know 3.0

     This video was absolutely amazing to me. The information it gives about our world and technology is astounding. By the time the 4:56 video was over, the information was already becoming out of date. Can we even keep up with the reporting of the technological breakthroughs? In 1984, I was a freshman at USA working in the College of Education making copies. Dean Uhlig was in charge. There were two graduate assistants whose job it was to search the internet for people. The big computer was in a small back room and USA students were charged $50-$75 for a "search." I think back on that and laugh. In just 25 years, the technological breakthroughs have been amazing to witness.
     The video makes you realize the scope of technology and how many people are impacted by it.
Technology has an impact on the world and its people. So many things can be done and people are more connected to each other because of technology. Technology can make the world a better place.


Mr. Winkle Wakes

     Mr. Winkle was asleep for 100 years. He wakes to a world that is foreign to him due to technological advances. They are hard for him to understand and he is intimidated by them. Mr. Winkle does not seem to get past the fear and recognize that the advances are good and can benefit him.
Sadly, Mr. Winkle feels at home in the classroom when he stumbles upon a school. Things have changed, but not very much. Schools are slow to incorporate technological advances. Schools need to keep pace with technological advances because their students sure are doing that.
     Mr. Winkle would not have to be asleep for 100 years in order for him to be intimidated again. How long do you think he would have to be asleep? A month? Six months? A year? 5 years?
My children are having a different educational experience than me. However, it is mostly the same. My grandchildren should have a very, very different school experience than I did. Will they?

Sir Ken Robinson

     Everyone has an interest in education. Education takes us to the future so we are not stuck in the past. These words need to be heard and understood by everyone.I agree that all kids have talent. It must be found and nurtured in the educational system.Some talents are manifested early while others take time. I agree that so many times our children are educated out of their talent. Our school system is so narrow minded sometimes and driven by very specific results.  Sir Ken Robinson said that intelligence is diverse, dynamic and distinct.  If our educational system became diverse, dynamic and distinct , more talents would be found. Schools should be havens of creativity that will produce people that will make the world a better place.
  One of my kids is very intelligent and creative.He writes all the time. He wants to be an author when he grows up. After watching the talk by Sir Ken Robinson, I must confess that I have to do a better job of reacting to his career choice. I actually do think he could be a great author. Society and schools actually tell him otherwise. Creativity needs to be valued.

Cecelia Gault


    The US is behind in the world on certain educational advancements and attitudes. We need to balance our curriculum and make better use of technology in the classroom.
     The definition of intelligence cannot even be agreed upon by people in the field. In my opinion, creativity is part of being an intelligent person. Creativity can be taught and nurtured.  In classroom across America everyday, children are asked to things that stifle their creativity. We should try to find it. Embrace it. Enhance it. One way to do this is by balancing the curriculum so that there is more of a chance of talents being discovered. Whenever we hear about budget cuts in the educational system, it seems that the first on the chopping block are the creative arts. Why?

Vicki Davis: Harnessing Your Students Digital Smarts


     Vicki Davis is a wonderful teacher. She believes that every child can learn. Every teacher should think that.She also believes that you need more than paper and pencil to learn. She customizes lessons based on progress and ability. She also is adept at learning herself in order to help her students learn. She is an example of a teacher that produces a thinking child rather than one who can burp it back.
      It is nice to hear a teacher say that you do not have to know everything in order to teach it. This sends the message that you are willing to learn yourself  and that you do not know everything. We should all be life long learners. I also noticed that Vicki Davis really connects to her students. Even though there are computers everywhere in her classroom, she takes the time to connect on a personal level. This is extremely important as well.
     Vicki Davis is an example of a 21st century teacher. The world is her classroom. She collaborates around the world and is connected to people all around this Earth. She has many ideas and attitudes that can be helpful to a teacher.