Thing 21- Emerging Technology
In this module, I read a lot about technology within the education world. It is so important to keep updated on real issues and read resources and materials that will keep them informed about happenings in the education world. To start, I read through a blog called A Principal's Reflection and it had a lot of great posts about classrooms, technology and resources related to both. On the blog, I found a TED Talk video discussing and urging inclusion technology in schools, especially for younger students. The video talked about how for young children, technology programs are so relevant, and they facilitate collaboration, communication, critical thinking, problem solving and it's engaging. But for most students, school is the exact opposite. Teachers who don't allow technology in class blocks these tools and they are not preparing kids for life, that will inevitably revolve around technology. The reality is that kids have to be able to follow their passions, and be excited about learning. The video said that kids are not to blame for the lack of interest in schools, but in fact it is the disconnect between schools and technology that is making learning hard for students. Below are a few other points mentioned int he video that I thought were very good points.
Some Important solutions to harness the technology resources for kids:
1. Social media is the world- yet we do not let students use it. It fosters creativity, collaboration and it's a tool that can be used. We are upset when students use these tools inappropriately, yet we do not teach them.
2. Students need access to these tools and devices-real world tools for real world work
3. Maker spaces where kids can follow their passions- create a place where technology is welcome, WiFi is accessible, and these tools are promoted and fostered, and are comfortable and inviting.
Here is a link to the TED talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwrLVvORugw
Some Important solutions to harness the technology resources for kids:
1. Social media is the world- yet we do not let students use it. It fosters creativity, collaboration and it's a tool that can be used. We are upset when students use these tools inappropriately, yet we do not teach them.
2. Students need access to these tools and devices-real world tools for real world work
3. Maker spaces where kids can follow their passions- create a place where technology is welcome, WiFi is accessible, and these tools are promoted and fostered, and are comfortable and inviting.
Here is a link to the TED talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwrLVvORugw
Next, I did some research about some ongoing projects and research regarding technology and education. I learned a lot about the Speak Up National Research Project. This project provides participating schools, districts and non-profit organizations with multiple online surveys and reports to collect feedback and data from students, educators and parents about their thoughts on education policies. The data collected from this research is reviewed and shared on a national level with education and policy leaders in each state and in the National Capital, Washington D.C. This project has been running and collecting data for over 13 years now and has surveyed and helped over 30,000 schools since it has been created and implemented.
Coding is the last skill that I studied as a part of this module. I was able to learn basic level coding, problem-solving skills and thinking skills. Code.org is an organization as well as a website for teachers and students to learn coding, and it is the program I learned coding through. Through Code.org, there is an activity called Hour of Code available to teachers, students and parents to give step by step instructions of how to create codes. The Hour of Code tutorials are fun and engaging as well as thematic and easy to follow! I worked on one that was the theme of Moana. I had to code different patterns of behaviors for the Moana computer program game. Below are a few screenshots of the Code.org program as well as an example of coding that I created, and my certificate to show my achievement through the coding program.