"We don't have a choice on whether we do social media, the question is how well we do it." - Erik Qualman
The quote shown above made me think abut social media in a completely new light. It seems that incorporating 21st century technology into your life has moved from being optional to obligatory rather quickly. In fact, this transition was so quick that it took a watching a video on the Social Media Revolution for me to realize how engrossed in technology our world has become. It is somewhat shocking to think about the fact that e-mailing has become outdated outside of the realm of work/school. Even watching television has become somewhat antiquated for me; why pay for cable when you can stream anything you want to watch online? This was a humbling experience for me, in the sense that I felt like just another product of my generation. However, after taking a little while to dwell on this feeling, I realized that I shouldn't shame myself or my peers for becoming immersed in computers, cell phones, etc. There is so much good that can be done with technology, especially when teaching and learning is involved.
"On our blog, my students speak up... even the shy ones." - A Vision of 21st Century Teachers
As an aspiring teacher, I should always look for ways to help align what students learn in the classroom to what happens in real life. Technology is the catalyst serving that very function; bridging the gap between classroom material and preparation for the future. It is a very powerful tool for both teachers and students. Taking advantage of technology in the classroom also encourages more global interaction, while simultaneously addressing different learning styles. A Vision of 21st Century Teachers outlines these points, and showcases a few different types of projects/assignments/activities that can be done in a variety of subject areas. Although this video was uploaded in 2010, it already seems a bit outdated (this goes to show how far high-definition video resolution has come even since only six years ago!). It would have been nice to see some of the tech they're talking about being integrated or demonstrated, instead of just seeing teachers holding up signs. Nevertheless, it was a very powerful message that still holds true. Technology will continue to become an even more influential aspect of life, and we need to embrace this in the classroom!
Hi Virginia!
ReplyDeleteSo I too shared the quote by Erik Qualman in my blog because of course, I agree! I myself feel a little "slow" to truly catch on the latest and greatest technology. I was one of those people who held onto their MySpace page just a little too long before switching over to facebook, haha! I like to think I'm a bit more caught up today! People are surrounded by technology, and you're right--when used effectively technology in the classroom not only engages students but prepares them for a future in which using technology all the time will be the norm. We as future teachers will just need to keep up with it and know it well enough to teach our students how to use it effectively, critically, and professionally!
Have a great weekend!
I have to laugh because I thought the same thing about the technology teachers who sat in a room and held up signs and I thought, "If these are digital classroom teachers, what's with the boring signs?" I mean, it's a great message, but it's a bit like all of the conferences I go to about group learning where we sit and watch a lecture...
ReplyDelete"Taking advantage of technology in the classroom also encourages more global interaction, while simultaneously addressing different learning styles."
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you regarding the link between technology and global interaction and collaboration. I love that students now have the opportunity to learn and exchange ideas with other students in foreign countries. This encourages them to open their minds to new cultures and prepares them for the globalized world that we live in today.
Well, it seems that I may just be echoing much of what others have already commented here, but I do agree with a lot of what was said. I was some one who in the past would have thought it was a little ridiculous to use social media as a learning tool. However, by reading this it does make a lot of sense that if social media is what the students are using then we as teachers should also try to utilize it as much as we can so that we can reach them.
ReplyDeleteThis was not one of the videos that I watched, but I think after reading this I will have to watch it.
I totally agree that "Taking advantage of technology in the classroom also encourage more global interaction" I think every class should have a strong foundation in every subjects, and exploring curriculum topics by using technologies and using various projects to help students learning and acquiring knowledge. Students can have better connected and engaged in the learning environment and more global interaction.
ReplyDelete