Blog Assignment 2

Did You Know 3.0- My reaction to this video was one of utter disbelief. I couldn't help but pause the video every few seconds and share what I'd learned with my girlfriend who was trying to study on the other side of the room. It is amazing to me how lacking the U.S. is in its technological innovations and education level of its citizens as opposed to many other countries. How has a country that was so ahead of other countries in almost every aspect of technology fallen so far behind by current standards?

     This video stresses, inadvertently,  the importance of keeping up-to-date in the U.S. We, as a country, are becoming more incompetent as employees, economists, and citizens altogether. It's time. It's time that we cease the ignorant mindset that America is the world power, because the truth is, we're losing ground.

Mr. Winkle Wakes- I watched this video and it made me think about all of the technological advances that have been made over the last 100 years. This fictional character came into contact with skyscrapers, computers, and other machines, all items that simply did not exist last century.

     Next, Mr. Winkle comes to a school that, in the midst of all these technological advances, hasn't changed one bit. Doesn't it seem a little out of place that the place where we learn everything we need to make such scientific progressions is outdated? One would expect the classroom to be more technologically literate in order to reflect the society that values technology so much.

The Importance of Creativity- I never realized, before watching this video, how important creativity truly is. Innovation is founded upon the integration of interdisciplinary subjects. Think about it: The root beer float was invented based on the knowledge that vanilla ice cream and root beer tasted good. Could they taste good together? 

     Growing up in the modern educational system, I wondered why it was that you were good at academics or the arts (rarely both). I was raised to believe that it was an issue of being right-brained or left-brained. I wanted to make magnificent drawings and be the best singer or writer. I didn't want to be the kid that had all the answers to last night's homework. I realized after watching this video that perhaps I was more creative before the importance of math, science, and the humanities consumed my education. As an educator, it is important to cultivate a child's creativity so that it can be integrated with the education he or she has received.
Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts-  It is amazing how small the world has become. Vicki Davis, a teacher in southern Georgia integrates almost every thinkable form of useful technology into her classroom. Students in her class learn how to teach each other how to use all the tools offered through the computer.
   Her students recently used the a web based program called DigiTeen to connect with students around the world with one common goal: computer citizenship. I think this is a great tool for students to learn all about their own education, as well as what is being taught around the world.