Week 2

So I’m closer to generation X then the millenniums, that’s blatantly obvious now.  And of course technology has changed the learner, the question is has it changed them for the better?  I think for the most part the answer to that question is yes.  For all the good technology does and has to offer, here are a few questions that more than anything I hope to have a better understand of after this class experience;  First, how do we get our students to understand that this technology can open up so many opportunities for them but they need the basics in order to make even the opportunities a realistic possibility?  Let’s take the little French baby for example.  Watching that video, I was like “wow” that's incredible how well he (or she, I couldn’t tell) could navigate both apple devices.  However, without learning how to at least read, this child would be limited even with the technology.  I agree that, I think it was Students and Learning that discussed how our educational system has gone almost in the opposite direction with getting standardized testing so heavily involved.  And Ken Robinson brought up some good points about how we’ve limited creativity.  But, as a sixth grade special education teacher, what I’m stressed out about right now is how our students struggle to read, spell, add, subtract, multiple, and divide.  Sure, they might know how to use an ipad but if they can’t balance their check book later in life how are they going to know if they can even afford one? 

Now the real question that was asked for this week was, Is there a digital disconnect between students and traditional schooling?  This is a great question, and in my personal opinion, the problem all of us as educators need to be focused on and working towards is getting the answer to be "no, there is no disconnect," because sadly enough that is not the case.  Especially with the students I work with in 5^th and 6^th grades, they know how to read and write.  These are the kids that also know how to use technology.  These are also the same kids that find school boring and outdated.  – more to come on that later.  

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