My name is Savanna Blankenship and I am a sophomore at the University of South Carolina. I am majoring in Early Childhood Education. I am doing a project for my EDPY 401 class, and we were to choose a video related to Education, then give our opinion based off the video. I chose the video called "Inquiring Minds Want To Know," from Teacher Tube. This video is about integrating new and innovative resources into the classroom. It is a good video, so check it out along with my video response!
Savanna's Response
"Inquiring Minds Want To Know"
“Inquiring Minds Want to Know”
Education is a powerful tool that continuously develops and grows. If what you learn in school determines how educated a person is, then it is important to re-evaluate what and how we are teaching students. If students are expected to take what they learn from school and apply it to the real world, then it is essential to make sure classrooms are up to date with the technological advancements around them. If school districts expect their students to be prepared and responsible enough for college or the work force, then it should be their job to make sure their ways of preparing students is suitable enough to get students ready for life after graduation.
The video “Inquiring Minds Want to Know,” emphasizes the importance of learning outside of the classroom. Children should constantly be learning no matter the circumstances. Learning beyond the classroom does not necessarily mean leaving the classroom, but instead bringing the world into the classroom, whether it be through networking, internet, streamed videos, smart boards; anything that involves the vast world of technology, which now days most students are accustomed to. After watching the video, I agree that it is very important to provide students with an environment that mirrors the world they are growing up in. As a teacher, there are two choices on how to approach teaching children. One is to stick with the old ways of using chalkboards, overhead projectors, and worksheets. Or, teachers can implement new strategies and take a step into what may be the unknown and find new and innovative ways to encourage learning in children.
Piaget stresses in his theory that children are “active and motivated learners;” to me this means to make learning interesting, that way students are more apt to remember what they are learning. Piaget also mentions that children learn by connecting new material from previous experiences. Both of these ideas can be applied in today’s classroom, supporting the need for new and innovated ways to teach the fast paced and technologically advanced students in the classroom. If children are shown how to learn an easier method of subtracting by using a game program on a smart board versus a chalk board, then they are becoming motivated learners.
Along with Piaget, Vygotsky has ideas that indirectly support the concept of bringing the outside world into the classroom. Vygotsky mentions that “…providing cognitive tools for students to use can make difficult tasks easier,” (Ormrod 38). It is important to provide students with learning tools and examples of various experiences, in order for them to apply what they have learned in the classroom with real world experiences. Children like to have opportunities to take on adult-like roles, so let them give suggestions on how they learn best. Whether electronic assignments are preferred over worksheets, or if the overhead projector is more efficient than videos watched over the smart board, it is important for children to have an input. Allow the students to give input on ways they feel they learn best, because after all it is their education.
Overall, "Inquiring Minds Want to Know," expresses the importance of technology and keeping up with the fast paced world around us. It is important for students to be taught in a way that reflects the world we live in. Bringing technology in the classroom opens up many new learning opportunities for children, which is essential for their education.
Your take on the educational needs of today's students is 'right on'. As a teacher in North Carolina, which has high stakes testing, I know first-hand the importance of meeting the needs of students. Each time I sit down to plan my lessons, I have to consider how best to engage my students. Since I am fortunate to have a SmartBoard in my classroom, I am ever mindful to employ it to keep my students interested. As you stated in your response, it is imperative to allow students to have a voice in their classroom. I allow my students to make decisions about their learning process daily. They are given choices in regard to assignments and the means by which they complete the work. This not only motivates the learner, but also encourages them to do their best. The only problem wth this way of thinking is to use it solely. Students are after all children, and although having a decision n their education is important, there are times when the teacher does know best. I know the state' s expectations according the standard course of study, whereas the students do not. The best way to accomplish motivated, technologically savvy, and intelletual students is to have a balance in your classroom. Good luck in your teaching career - welcome to the best profession in the world!!!
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Comments (1)
Angela Merritt Gonzalez said
at 9:27 pm on Dec 1, 2008
Your take on the educational needs of today's students is 'right on'. As a teacher in North Carolina, which has high stakes testing, I know first-hand the importance of meeting the needs of students. Each time I sit down to plan my lessons, I have to consider how best to engage my students. Since I am fortunate to have a SmartBoard in my classroom, I am ever mindful to employ it to keep my students interested. As you stated in your response, it is imperative to allow students to have a voice in their classroom. I allow my students to make decisions about their learning process daily. They are given choices in regard to assignments and the means by which they complete the work. This not only motivates the learner, but also encourages them to do their best. The only problem wth this way of thinking is to use it solely. Students are after all children, and although having a decision n their education is important, there are times when the teacher does know best. I know the state' s expectations according the standard course of study, whereas the students do not. The best way to accomplish motivated, technologically savvy, and intelletual students is to have a balance in your classroom. Good luck in your teaching career - welcome to the best profession in the world!!!
You don't have permission to comment on this page.