“New technologies, especially the Internet, offer much potential as vehicles for intercultural collaborative inquiry, allowing us to develop global perspectives on local issues and to find complex approaches to complex problems. However, technology is only a tool-and one that is only as powerful as we choose to make it. Better understanding the value of this tool to support learning is a central concern and priority in our work.”
I chose this quote from the article because I absolutely agree with it. The Internet offers so much potential for educators and students. We are able to sign on and watch our favorite show, listen to music, play games, video chat with family in other states, and search for answers when we have questions. The quote also discusses that technology as a tool is only as powerful as we choose to make it and I think that it is at a very powerful point right now and can only get more powerful if we are able to get the technology that we need in our classroom. I have been substitute teaching for three years now and know that some schools have more advanced technology than others. I know that financially not every school can afford to fund the advanced technology that other schools have, but ideally it would be beneficial to at least have one room equipped with it.
This is a link to a blog post with some really informative postings that give tips from who and how to friend people on facebook to cyber bullying. There are some really great articles that I think many of you may enjoy.
There is an article from the Chicago Tribune that discusses the opening of a charter school which is taught through video games.
Video Game Schools: the schools of the Future? – Quest to Learn (Q2L) is a school in New York where students are learning in a very original way, by becoming the subject and playing and programming video games. The staff of educators includes video game designers and computer experts. Integrating digital media and education at this school, has shown great results and they are now expanding to Chicago. This articles describes the success of the school and how they are keeping the integrity of their vision for the new Chicago location.
Technology based learning is a rapidly growing component of the regular educational curriculum. Unfortunately, school budgets do not allow an abundance of funds for purchasing new equipment and technological resources. Because we are living in the new age of technology, providing students with a means of learning that is based upon gaming and technology is paramount.
ReplyDeleteI also like your link. Projects like Chicago Quest are great for inspiring video game and technology based learning projects, as well as promoting and encouraging 21rst century thinking.
I find it disheartening that some schools and systems block the internet. I have trouble using internet sources at my school for this very reason. Just a couple of weeks ago the state department sent out an email about National Digital Media day, or something to that effect, but the one activity that they wished us to participate in with our students used Twitter. Well the pies in your face WVDE, Twitter is blocked :)
ReplyDeleteThe quote you pulled from the article is a great quote. Also, your comment about the internet's ability to video chat with people in other states made me think about how lucky I am that I can Skype with my brother, who is currently attending University of California at Berkeley. He's on the opposite side of the country, but yet my parents and I can Skype with him. It's amazing the technologies that the internet has produced for consumers, and Skype is only one of the many.
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