Three Videos

The three videos in this week’s lesson brought up some really great points about technology and education. All three videos had different topics but they can all be related to each other by asking, how are students being taught and how is technology helping or hurting education.
The first video by Sir Ken Robinson, “Do schools kill creativity?” was brilliant! I loved his funny anecdotes. I agree with him about the school systems stifling the creativity of kids. The education systems do focus on the 3 R’s rather than paying the proper amount of attention to the arts, something I find quite scary; we can’t all be engineers. Mr. Robinson also mentioned how kids who fidget and move are considered distractions and dolled out medication when in fact it may just mean that they need to move! It is extremely important that teachers understand that not everyone can fit into the same learning mold and figuring out how to teach all students is key to having better success in the classroom. I believe there is something to be said about rules and structure, they are what gives us guidance but I think there needs to be a balance that allows for creativity.
The second video, “A Vision of Students Today” was interesting. I think this video is very creative and it points out some really relevant problems that students face – textbooks, standardized testing, boring lectures etc. However, students need to realize that what they get out of the class is based on what they put in. If they are surfing the web or chatting on facebook during the class then how will they know if they are learning things that will relate to everyday situations; they aren’t listening! I get really frustrated with people who are unsatisfied with their situations but don’t look at their actions. Yes, technology can be a great way to enhance education. Technology can make things more interesting, faster, and easier but it shouldn’t get in the way of learning. One of the biggest problems that I see with technology is that it creates a false expectation of immediate gratification and customization in real life. Not every job you have will cater to your wants, not every government form or health care form you have to fill out will be sent to you via a chat room with pop ups pointing you in the right direction. People, not just student need to realize that real life isn’t Burger King, you can’t always get it your way, right away!
The third video, “Web 2.0 … The Machine is Us/ing Us”, was very eye opening. Web 2.0 has changed the way we use the Internet. It has made the Internet a tool that you can interact with not just look at. The idea that the machine, our computers, are learning and using us to teach others about us is a crazy and real concept. I think it is amazing at all the things that are available with just a click but I also think it is incredibly scary. One of the points mentioned in the video is that we need to rethink identity. With all of the linking that Internet can do from site to site, tagging images, publishing profiles, etc. I think people need to be aware of all the information that they are putting out for the world. In a few clicks you can find out a plethora of information on someone – date of birth, high school information, hobbies, addresses, phone numbers, maiden names, information on their parents, the list can go on and on. All of these things can be used for identity theft, fraud, scams and just plan creepy people who get off on looking into others peoples lives. The web is a terrific thing but can be pretty scary if you think about it.
A common theme that I found in all three videos is that everything needs to be balanced and used in moderation. There needs to be a balance of what is being taught in the classroom, art and mathematics should be seen as equals; technology can be a useful tool for making learning less boring and faster but it shouldn’t interfere with the actual learning process, and the Internet with it’s ever changing interface is developing into a powerful tool that is changing the way we communicate and live.