TED+Talk+Reflections

I believe technology in the classroom continues to be a natural progression overtime. Based on my past and present experiences with instructional technology and computers in the classroom, I have only seen how positive the results can be in regards to student engagement and overall student learning. Since the beginning of my teaching career, I noticed how well students use technology and how much they need it to stay engaged. As a second grade teacher, I enjoy using technology as a resource for lesson planning, as well as lesson presentations to the whole class. While using technology during lessons, I can see students wanting to be a part of the lesson more often than without the use of technology. I’ve noticed behavior management concerns decrease as students want to “earn” the opportunity to use the smartboard or clicker. It is mybelief that teachers in K-12 should utilize technology more in their classrooms for instructional purposes as well as intervention methods because student engagement levels can be greatly increased as a result of regular use. Therefore, having more engaged students strengthens the chances for student success, especially when combined with other methods and/or best practices.

Below, you will find several video links to TED Talks followed by my written reflection to each one. media type="custom" key="12127788" Sir Ken always has a way of opening your eyes and making you think about what's really going on with education. The topic of this video is the "education paradigm". Throughout the video he identifies the educational system we currently have and points out how it fits the model of academics from the time of its creation during the period of the enlightment. However, he said it is grossly out of date with today's way of thinking and the processes of our current society. My favorite quote from the video is about cheating. He says teachers tell you "there is only one answer, but it's in the back of the book...don't look. And don't look at anyone else's paper, because that cheating...but in the real world we call that//collaboration//." Seems to me like kids get lots of different answers, but then again teachers do as well. How will we know what's right or wrong until we look back with our rose colored glasses. One thing is for sure, the system is not perfect, but then again I'm not sure it was ever perfect and perhaps it may never be. media type="custom" key="7763161"

Sir Ken is always a delightful speaker to listen to. I enjoy all of his humor and could not agree with him more about the issue of conformity in education. In fact, when he mentioned everyone doesn’t need to go to college, I remember feeling that way right after high school. Then when he said as least everyone doesn’t have to go now, once again I remember feeling that way when I made the decision to go to college at age 28 after getting married and having two children first. I agree that many talents and skills are deep within people and that in time these attributes can be discovered, but not all at the same pace or through the same methods. In fact, “children spread their dreams beneath our feet each day and we should tread softly as not to trample them.” media type="custom" key="15596096" Alan Kay spoke of sending "messages to our future" through our students. Throughout his discussion he pointed out perception as the major element present in teaching/learning that causes our brain to receive information differently. Because of this reason, he suggested various ways to present content to students so that they have a chance to develop a base knowledge of the subject before they are expected to master it. During his presentation he utilized computer software on his $100 laptop to show how basic the programs could be in order to be effective. In the end, he spoke of changes in education that would be necessary to move us forward and how a different method of content delivery and instructional strategies would help foster our future, the children we send forward. I agree with many things he had to say about this topic and feel as though I am working toward meeting some of these shared goals. I feel differiented instruction is effective and that the use of technology can be utilized to accomplish this goal in my classroom.

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Johnny Lee really brought to the table a perfect example of how incredible youtube.com and other electronic media can really help spread the word around the world. It is absolutely amazing to see even try to comprehend the capability technology has in our modern world and how much it can help move people further in accomplishing goals and/or education. Great video to see.

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This video is a little different than the other videos being that it was shot on remote location rather than in the hosting facility so it is a little difficult to watch and maintain focus with the speaker. It seems as though he is just listing technology of today and its many applications without much connection to help the listener relate with and the lack of eye contact does not make this video desirable to watch. Unfortunately, I did not find this video helpful at all. media type="custom" key="7763253"

Art Benjamin definitely proved himself as a math magician, but other than that it was not something that I would find useful as an application in teaching other than the possibilities of the mind that do truly exist. Having never been a math magician myself, this is truly a sight to see as Art effortlessly replies to equations make up at random by audience members. If you like math you’ll love this, if you don’t like math you’ll realize this demonstration is amazing.

Suggested article summary below from //The Horizon Report//

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//__Magazine Will Cater to Mobile Readers (and Freelancers)__// by Tanzina Vega

This article discusses changes in magazine distribution from the traditional printed version to an electronic format via email instead of snail mail. The article cites reduced cost, faster processing and user friendliness as benefits to implementing these changes, however, the main reason cited was convenience. Naturally with convenience comes accessibility and in today’s society we are all about having it right here, right now. In addition, this article discusses changes in advertising and the delivery of such information through the use of multimedia making it more interactive to their readers. Overall it stresses the importance of moving forward with society as it continues to embrace technology and the instant access it has to offer us on a daily basis through a multitude of electronic devices. After reading this article it is hard for me to imagine someone not wanting to experience this new kind of magazine.