By Richard Miller
Professor Richard Miller teaches in the English department at Rutgers University. Our assignment this week was to observe two of his videos “This is How We Dream” and record our responses. He began the first video by informing the listeners that he loved books. He had always wanted to write books, and then one day he wrote a book. He then began discussing documents online. I found he made a very good point, books online are freely available to take out at any time and yet they are still available to the next person.
This made me think for a bit because I really dislike eBooks. I have an electronic reader that was given to me at Christmas, but I am still having a hard time letting go of my paper books. Most of my classes at the University are using eBooks. I still print out every page so that I can take my notes and highlight the text. Jamie Lynn pointed out earlier this semester that this is easily done on the computer, but I will admit I get tired of looking at a computer screen all day. Sometimes I just want to sit on my couch and hold my favorite book.
Through both videos, Professor Miller talked about the many uses with multimedia and how it can help schools. I found many of his ideas to be interesting, but I began to think if I am ready to use multimedia in my classroom. The other day, the first grade teacher I shadow was telling me about the difficulties of their grade books. Since all seven first grade teachers share students, they have to record grades and send them to each other to record grades again. She said it was the best system they had come up with so far. Then I mentioned Google docs and told her about sharing the information with the other teachers. We are going to look into that when I get back from the break.
Other than that one experience, I have found that I am not prepared to use multimedia in my classroom. I am, however, willing to learn. I think that it would be beneficial to know how to use the available tools that are out there. I am an elementary education major, so I am not ready to give up my paper books though. I think that may be a bit much for younger readers right now, but who knows? Maybe one day we will all be reading from the internet.
The Chipper Series
Both of these videos were produced by EDM310 students
I absolutely loved these videos! My favorite was by far EDM310 for Dummies. It was almost as if they followed my friends and me around the EDM310 lab. At the beginning of the semester I was completely lost. I was frustrated and aggravated that I could not figure out how to do the materials assigned. Then I began to research and ask for help in the lab. Thankfully, I am only frustrated on a few occasions now.
I was talking with a few of my friends who are also enrolled in EDM310 this semester a few weeks ago. We discussed making a video as our final project on “How to make an A in EDM310” which we all hope to do! I presented this idea to Dr. Strange and his response was unexpected. I’ll let that be a surprise later.
As far as our general message, we were aiming on showing the importance of being honest and having integrity when it comes to your classwork. We could show examples of how to properly find the information and instructions to help students do better on their own. This is very similar to the two group projects above. Their messages were motivating in a joking manner. We wanted to make our movie upbeat and a little humorous. It will be interesting to see our idea can become a reality.
by the Pearson Foundation
This video shared viewpoints from many different educators. They all had a similar goal in mind. I’m just not sure their biased opinion is the correct one. They talk about children being more involved outside of the classroom using technology than in the classroom, but why is that? Are they really that bored with what is being taught? Of course not, the technology they may be using could be anything. A lot of students play video games, watch movies, talk on telephones, or use some other form of technology. This does not mean that they are more involved with something educational through technology.
I guess what I am trying to say is I believe we should use technology in the classroom, but I do not believe that teachers should depend on that to keep their students focused on what is being taught. Honestly, have their teachers simply given up on finding new methods to help enrich their experience? I have found that many teachers are leaning on technology as a crutch. I don’t think that they should depend solely on technology to keep students engaged in their activities. There has to be some kind of balance to education involving creative thinking as well as technology. If not, then what are teachers for?
It was weird to me to see this video, because a few weeks ago I was amazed by Changing Education Paradigms by Sir Ken Robinson.
I agree with Professor Zimbardo that students no longer want to be passive. Most teachers use this statement to argue whether or not technology should be used in the classroom. Some say we should rely more on technology because either they truly believe it is the only way to teach anymore, or they have become lazy and do not want to be creative when there is an easier way out. Other educators blame technology for ruining education. Those are the teachers who wonder why there are such unbelievable dropout rates, while at the same time blame video games for students’ poor performance in school.
Is there a happy medium in this situation? I know this video was more than the debate of technology and learning, but isn’t that the more pressing issue? Yes people are going to learn differently because they are in different time zones, but they are also in different geographic regions, they have different beliefs and customs, and they have different cultural backgrounds.
The real debate here is what is motivating the students, and what is not. What are we doing as educators to strengthen our students’ desire for success? What are we doing to hinder it? This video seemed to give more excuses to the problem than solutions. I would be interested to find out more about what we can do as educators to bring all of these factors together to encourage students to want to learn.
by Dan Pink
This was an amazing video! There were so many different ways to help people drive for success. I think this was a great way to begin the search I mentioned about our last video.
First of all, I loved how he began this video with the statement, “We are not as endlessly manipulable and predictable as you would think!” Mr. Pink set the bar high and delivered with his message about motivation. Overall, his message was that people like to be self-directed and naturally have the urge to get better at stuff. This is very true. If something interests a person, then that person is going to work as hard as they can to produce the best work they can, to prove, not only to themselves but to others that they can.
He spoke about rewarding people for their accomplishments more than punishing them for their mistakes. I also believe that this is true. I have read many studies throughout my college experience as well as witnessed many events where this has proven to be true.
When Mr. Pink discussed that higher incentives led to worse performance, I was very confused. How can this be possible? After his in depth explanation, he said that people will be successful with challenge and mastery while making a contribution. Pretty much, the big picture is that people will have the same want, drive, motivation, whatever you would like to call it if they feel they are being challenged and will try everything to master that challenge. However, they will only feel successful if they believe that they are making a contribution.
I honestly feel like this is the only way I am driven. If I feel that I am doing something to help someone or something else, then I will try my absolute hardest to accomplish my goal. For example, I was a veterinary technician for the past five years. I went to every seminar available, took classes to better understand what I had to do, and volunteered excessive overtime without pay just to help out. I felt that I was making a difference, not only for the pet but also for its family.
Hi Jessica,
ReplyDeleteI am responding to your post, This is how we Dream. I can relate, I perfer having a book instead of ebook. I have used my computer more since taking EDM 310, and I also get tired of sitting in front of the computer for long periods of time, whether it school work or just reading my emails. I have to say that I have learned so much about this new type of technology which will be beneficial to me as well as my students someday. That's scary about one day we might all be reading from the internet. The way technology is growing it's possible.
In your post Learn to Change, change to learn: I agree with your comments technology should not be the sole resource for teaching students and keeping them engage in the lesson that are being taught. I think that technology is great, but teachers should be able to teach activites and lessons that keeps students engaged without the use of technology.
Well done. Thoughtful, thorough and well written.
ReplyDeleteYou should try an iPad. You can underline, take notes, share reactions. And hold it like a book. And have included pictures and videos.
What in the world did I say? Now I am really eager to see your movie!
Thanks Dr. Strange!
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point. Maybe I can win one of those magical iPads and try it out!
To be continued...