Blog Assignment #2

Dr. Dancealot by Haley Smith, Brantley Spillman, and Hilary Thames

Hands-on learning is the key to success. Dr. Dancealot’s strategy for teaching dance was lecture- and textbook-based alone. In order for a student to learn the skills needed to become a better dancer, he or she must dance.  Without hands-on learning, students will never achieve perfection in his or her subject. It occurs to us that dance uses muscle memory for repeated steps or moves. No instruction that exclusively uses words can communicate balance or rhythm. A student needs to attempt these steps to train their muscles for learning to be achieved. We must make mistakes in order to gain knowledge in the classroom. Dr. Dancealot needs to regroup and attack his dance sessions from a different angle. By using modern day technology, these students could research different dance styles and then put their findings to work on the actual dance floor.

We believe hands-on learning is the best way for two reasons: students gain both experience and focus.  First, students get experience doing a task that reinforces a lesson taught. If you were trying to teach someone how to ride a bike, you would not lecture, but place him or her on a bike to learn. Second, by doing a task, a student’s full attention is required. Many students that only listen and/or watch a task have wandering minds that hinder the learning process. When someone’s full attention is focused on a task, they will get more from the lesson.

The Networked Student by Haley Smith

After watching the video, I realized how important technology has become in the school system. Many schools incorporate connectivism concepts without realizing it. Connectivism is going to resources other than a textbook to find information. Learning occurs as a part of social networking using many diverse connections. Understanding these resources is a vital part of being in a classroom, because it gives more information than a textbook or teacher. An illustration of connectivism is the recent commercial showing a child who has to give a speech and asks Siri on his cell phone, “What is glossophobia?” Siri then demonstrates the multiple resources on the Internet for speeches. The student is able to deliver his speech without fear.

The Networked Student goes through many different resources that can be used for many purposes. The Personal Learning Network gives students a place to put valid websites to use while doing research. Google Scholar provides accurate journal entries. The school resource library is a great source for entries such as those provided by Google Scholar. Whereas, social media offers resources such as Skype, blogs, and various types of wikis. Students can now connect to people worldwide! Two other types of resources that were mentioned in this video were mP3 and iTunes downloads for lectures from students and/or professors around the world. Additionally, these sources offer documentaries on many topics. All of these resources for connectivism are great tools. I really enjoyed the statement it “never hurts to ask.” With all of these resources, help is at your fingertips. You just have to look for it.

The final question posed by this video was, “if a student has all of these resources, why is a teacher needed?” The answer is a very important part of connectivism. In the different examples below is an explanation of why a teacher is important in the idea of connectivism. The Networked Student details the role of a teacher. First, he or she teaches the student how to build a network to find different opportunities. Second, teachers are used as a guide when a student requires help. Third, teachers instruct students on how to communicate properly.  Without teachers, students would be lost. It would be difficult for a student to learn if there was no guidance, dedication, or organization of ideas that a teacher provides.

What Does it Mean to Teach in the 21st Century? by Brantley Spillman

Imagine Stars Wars. Imagine words and thoughts approaching you from the screen. This was my impression of K. Roberts’ video.  His opinion of information: “virtually limitless information.” His opinion of teachers: “not the main source of knowledge.” His new role for a teacher: “validate information, synthesize information, leverage information, communicate information, collaborate information with others.”

Roberts’ idea of teaching in the 21st century puts a new emphasis on the teacher’s role in the classroom. Teachers will no longer be the only source of knowledge for his or her students. However, teachers will remain necessary in the classroom. Teachers, in the past, have lectured and had reading assignments for students to memorize in order to recite back on a test. Alternatively, teaching in the 21st century will evolve into a structure in which students have tools to gather information on their own by doing research. (e.g. google, blogs, and podcasting).The teacher will now serve as a guide to interpret and apply this newly found information.

I responded very strongly to the positions expressed in this video. Many educators have feared technology and all the internet has to offer. Their fear is that a “teacher” will become obsolete if information is freely available on the Internet for a student to gather himself or herself. However, I feel it is time for our educational programs to accept the new tools technology has to offer and redefine our role as an educator. I look forward to embracing all new methods of teaching. Nothing lasts forever, our old school techniques are outdated and it is now time for change.  

Harness Your Student’s Digital Smarts by Hilary Thames

I think that it is wonderful that Mrs. Davis is teaching her students ways to maneuver through the technology of today!  By allowing her students to learn how to use wikis, blogs, podcasts, and virtual worlds, she is teaching them things that will help in succeeding in the real world. In today’s times, also known as the information age, everything revolves around technology. We, as a generation, desire instant access to limitless information such as GPS, internet, apps, and social networking . From something as simple as applying for a job, to the more extreme mapping the entire world by satellites in outer space, we find ourselves faced with it.

There is no way around it.  Everything that is happening today, has something to do with technology. I mean, the cell phones we carry around with us daily provides us with access to

anything we want within a split second. If our students are not being taught technology somehow in the classrooms, they are going to be so far behind when they graduate and begin searching for careers. Mrs. Davis is providing  her students with numerous ways to expand their potential for success.  No one can begin to manage in the career world, in whatever field they are in, without having basic knowledge of technology.  I also agree with the approach she takes with teaching the class. You won’t find her in the front of the classroom lecturing to her students on how to post a blog or how to access wikis. Instead, she allows her students to work and practice on their own. This allows the students to become familiar with what they are working on. Students are encountering problems and figuring  out solutions themselves.