Friday August 26, 2011
Quote:
“The contemporary American classroom, with its grades and deference to the clock, is an inheritance from the late 19th century.” (Heffernan, August 7, 2011).
Reaction:
According to Heffernan (2011), our schools continue to function as they did in the 19th century. I chose to address this issue due to Heffernan (2011) inferring that it is time for change. I certainly agree with her position. Heffernan (2011) raised many valid arguments within this article that point out how out of touch our schools are with today’s society. Instead of being so concerned about adhering to a strict “bell system” we should be more concerned about establishing digital literacy within our curriculum. The video generation has come of age and digital literacy is particularly relevant to the field of education. This article should serve to open our eyes to the importance of establishing practices that will prepare students for the future workplace instead of a workplace of the past. The curriculum offered to the student of the 21st century should include a wide selection of opportunities, which encourage the use of problem solving and critical thinking skills instead of simply memorizing facts and figures.
Reference:
Heffernan, V. (2011, August 7). Education needs a digital upgrade. Retrieved from
http://opinator.blogs.nytimes.com/2001/08/07/education-needs-a-digital-age-
upgrade/?hp
Related Resources: A You Tube video entitled “Digital World: Teachers Today” by k8teaw is a short commentary about how teachers can facilitate change in today’s schools. I think this is a very thought provoking video that the entire class would thoroughly enjoy watching.
Friday August 26, 2011
I agree with you. I also believe that teachers should incorporate digital learning into the classroom setting and not rely solely on the way things have been done in the classroom from the "old days."
ReplyDeleteRebecca,
ReplyDeleteI think you hit the nail on the head. 19th century education is NOT the way that kids should be taught today. The world has changed so much since then and so have its students. They need to be prepared for a future in today's technological market. I also like your point of improving problem solving skills instead of memorizing facts. I think those skills are the most important skills a child can learn.
Rebecca, I also agree that in todays society that we need technology within the classroom. I know that growing up and going to school we seldom used computers and that was 10 yrs ago. Today at my childs school they are using technology left and right. They incorprate learning skills into websites and then they compete with in other classes and grades within the school, county and state levels. Which ever class recieves the most points with in a day gets to have the trophy in their classroom.
ReplyDeleteRebecca you did a really good job with this post!! We should be teaching the kids about technology. There is so many things they can be doing with technology. That is why we should let them embrace technology not keep it from them.
ReplyDeleteRebecca I thought you hit it right on the head! I understand that teching the 19th century was a great way to teach back in the 19th century, but now it's time for a change and an update. The world is changing fast and education shouldn't be lagging. Technology is only here to help, not hurt.
ReplyDelete