A VISION OF STUDENTS TODAY

A Vision of Students Today


LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o&feature=related

A Vision of K-12 Students Today


LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A-ZVCjfWf8&feature=related


I will be my own agent of change in the classroom by being informed about current technology and being informed about what kids are currently into. Technology can be a great tool for learning; however, teachers have to be careful how they incorporate it into the classroom so that students don’t get bored and not do the activity. I remember in my grammar school, none of the classrooms had computers, but we did have a computer lab were we played games like Math Learners and Oregon Trail. With the lack of technology in the classroom, we never had an opportunity to learn digitally. Even with the math games we played in the computer lab, they had no effect or emphasis on what we were learning in class. This resembles the clips on YouTube because teachers do not realize that students in today’s classrooms are visual learners. The ipod, internet, blogging, video games, lap tops, and other certain types of technology are constantly being used by students. In the clip, it showed how more students will spend more time on the internet checking and writing e-mails, checking facebook profiles, and blogging than studying, reading, or paying attention in class. This shocking realization sends the message that teachers need to be informed about what students are currently into. Teachers, like myself, will then need to come up with a plan of action where these types of technology can be used in the classroom. The clip emphasized that students are digital learners so as a math teacher I will need to learn how to use and implement websites and activities that correlate with my lesson plans. For example, for a geometry class, I could find a program that allows students to look at different shapes and areas and decide which groups are congruent. Also, for an algebra class, having students digitally draw lines and formulate the slopes to decide which pair or pairs of lines are parallel. I remember for my calculus class, the answers to the problems were on the internet and if you didn’t understand how they got the right answer then you could click the help button and they would show you how they solved the problem and it would also draw for further assistance. There are so many other examples where students can learn from technology especially on the internet and mathematical programs. Teachers need to incorporate technology into their classrooms to captivate the students’ imaginations. While technology in the classroom is usually left up to the teacher’s discretion, I do not think it is their sole responsibility. If teachers want to be thorough and creative, then I think technology should be used. Overall, I think technology will give the students a better understanding of the material and will ultimately lead to a better education, but there is a sense of responsibility on the part of the teachers to give the students a quality education. So, I believe they do share apart in enforcing technology, but the school should have the ultimate say in the matter.