I was quite moved by this video because of the amazing message. I think nowadays we, as educators, tend to get overwhelmed with the pressure of performing to meet certain criteria set upon by tests/standards/curriculum which is in a one-size-fits-all kind of packaging. The expectations for the educator using preset ideas/standards are that, he/she prepare their students to meet these standards by making the grade or scoring high on those standardized tests. I don’t like this pressure and these preset expectations. The freedom to push or challenge your students is pushed aside by political agendas and predetermined goals set up by people, that most of the time, are out of touch with what is happening in learning in real time. We as a educators tend to stand back and do as we’re told because we assume that these people are actually looking out for our students’ best interest.
That is why I agree with Wesch’s point. I think we should continue to help students in learning the basics, so that they can focus on thinking critically and help be active participants in their learning. I want them to be interested in what we are learning. I kept thinking about those times, a lot of them of course, In which I have seen my students engaged and truly interested in what I was teaching. I would have a lot of them ask if they could look up information beyond what I would expect. They would get excited and then ask if they could present to the class their new findings. This is what I think Mr. Wesch was referring to.
Also, I would like to pose more real life problems to my students and have them come up with real life solutions. I love the idea of having them use technology, something that their generation is quite familiar, to help them begin to practice how to “Connect,Organize,Share,Collect,Collaborate, and Publish.” COSCCP. (Not a great acronym, but helps in remembering these important ideas.)
I think the best way to start a new way of instruction, as proposed by Mr. Wesch, would be to have the students come of with problems that they might be facing i.e. getting to school on time, not finishing their homework, etc. We would then share the problem to the class on our technology based learning tool, schoology, and have them brainstorm ideas to help solve the problem. Then come back to class and discuss the solutions offered. Review and discuss the multiple solutions and have them choose one to implement. Finally have them each present their solutions via an engaging technological tool, i.e. iMovie, Prezi, etc., and discuss changes to completely solve the problem or ideas on how to find another solution. I think this type of real world problem with a real solution would get them practicing those problem solving techniques and eventually, with enough practice and when they’re older, of how they could help out with other issues/problems that are plaguing our world.
That is why I agree with Wesch’s point. I think we should continue to help students in learning the basics, so that they can focus on thinking critically and help be active participants in their learning. I want them to be interested in what we are learning. I kept thinking about those times, a lot of them of course, In which I have seen my students engaged and truly interested in what I was teaching. I would have a lot of them ask if they could look up information beyond what I would expect. They would get excited and then ask if they could present to the class their new findings. This is what I think Mr. Wesch was referring to.
Also, I would like to pose more real life problems to my students and have them come up with real life solutions. I love the idea of having them use technology, something that their generation is quite familiar, to help them begin to practice how to “Connect,Organize,Share,Collect,Collaborate, and Publish.” COSCCP. (Not a great acronym, but helps in remembering these important ideas.)
I think the best way to start a new way of instruction, as proposed by Mr. Wesch, would be to have the students come of with problems that they might be facing i.e. getting to school on time, not finishing their homework, etc. We would then share the problem to the class on our technology based learning tool, schoology, and have them brainstorm ideas to help solve the problem. Then come back to class and discuss the solutions offered. Review and discuss the multiple solutions and have them choose one to implement. Finally have them each present their solutions via an engaging technological tool, i.e. iMovie, Prezi, etc., and discuss changes to completely solve the problem or ideas on how to find another solution. I think this type of real world problem with a real solution would get them practicing those problem solving techniques and eventually, with enough practice and when they’re older, of how they could help out with other issues/problems that are plaguing our world.