Blog Post #2

Did You Know?
Watching this video I was completely surprised at the numbers and the rates that things were invented and had already made so popular within a short amount of time. I was surprised but I can see how the numbers jump so high and so quickly. The most interesting part of the video to me was at the end when it was showing how many babies were born during the video. The number of babies born all over the world within the time of the 4:56 min video was crazy to see. I could not believe it. I think this video was very interesting and was informal. It explained how fast things come into existence and how fast the next bigger and better thing can replace it. This video was made up of series of technology between years.

Mr. Winkle Wakes
This video kind of puzzled me at first. I didn't know how to explain it either, but as I began to think about it I realized this video was about how there is no technology in the school. Every where else had new up to date technology that Mr. Winkle had never seen before. All except the school, there was a small computer which was new to Mr. Winkle, but it had dust all over it. Meaning it doesn't get used very much. Mr. Winkle described school as the same he had seen in the "old" age, a hundred years before the same as he saw in today's society. I think this means with as much as technology as there is in hospitals or businesses that the children in the new generations need to be technologically literate.

Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity
I think Sir Ken Robinson is an intelligent and funny man. He is also a great speaker. I enjoyed this movie very much. All that he said was so true, and I never thought of creativity in the terms he has. I believe that creativity is important, I think that is when children get to express themselves and have fun. If school isn't fun to them they won't want to pay attention. I love the story about the little girl painting God. It shows how kids are creative in all different ways. I agree totally with Sir Ken Robinson, when he says "mistakes are the worst thing you can make" is what we are living by and how we are teaching today. Which isn't how we should teach children and what they grow up believing. If they believe that statement then they won't want to express their creativity because they will think "well, what if this is wrong."
Academic ability should also correspond with the arts. Creativity should be involved in the "higher academic classes" such as math, science, English. For example: Dance incorporating English or spelling, or Theatre with science or math something with the arts and the other academics. Like Sir Ken Robinson says, "We will be teaching students in these generations with what we have now, but we have no idea what type of technological progression there will be by then."

Cecelia Gault (Young student in Finland) Interviews Sir Ken Robinson
It is interesting how different the rates of succession in schools are from country to country. From Finland to the U.S. there is a great deal of difference in drop out rates. Finland has a rate that's less than 1% and here in the United States we have a drop out rate of 25%. Sir Ken Robinson says "that education needs to change to meet the needs of technology of the 21st century in many ways." I believe that creativity is anything also, just like Sir Ken Robinson says in this interview. I can ensure that the Cecelia Gault's in my classroom will have many opportunities to make the best of learning and get the best education they can while in my class. I can definitely make sure that creativity is combined with all academics and give them lots of time to express themselves.

Vicki Davis: Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
This teacher does lots of interesting things in her classroom. I agree with her when she says "With pencils and paper only certain students learn." I believe that incorporating the four types of learners makes it easier for everyone to learn and be successful together. In this video they encouraged and helped each other when it was needed. I think this is a great way of teaching and gives the students a way to learn on their own. Seeing the kids finally get something right and understand it makes the world of difference. I agree with Ms. Davis on the fact that not teaching something and letting the students figure it out by themselves gives them a sense of ownership and power.