Blog Post 2

1. Professor Dancealot

Professor Dancealot's PowerPoint presentation gives indication that not all classroom lessons can be taught the same way. For example, a PowerPoint may be excellent for giving a lecture on history because the primary learning style the students use are auditory and visual. However, when a professor is teaching a course on formal dancing a "hands on approach" should be implemented to ensure the dance is learned correctly. Experts call this Kinesthetic Learning. Kinesthetic learners process information through practical experience. Physically doing the activity is the best way to learn in this scenario. This would ensure that technique is executed correctly and the chorography would flow smoothly.


2. Teaching in the 21st Century

Teaching in the 21 century is essential to the educator. I agree with Roberts that the virtual classroom is America's new classroom. Technology should be placed into every room to get the student familiar operating it. This will impact teachers teaching method. The classroom experience should be enhanced because of technology and the student should become a more independent learner. This new technology chance will allow students to have a better education.




3. The Networked Student
The Networked student was an information video of the power of Connectivism. The video give concrete evidence of the shift that is occurring in the 21st century. We are living in an "information age" where knowledge is power and accessible globally through the internet. The networked student still needs a teacher to serve as a facilitator and helper in terms of guiding the student to embark on new possibilities and helping the student expand their network pool further than they imagined. A teacher shows the student how to evaluate resources and ask the proper questions once that resource is attained. I agree wholeheartedly that a teacher is needed to support a student in this age however, it is proven leaning can extend outside of a classrooms walls.

4. Harness your Students Digital Smarts

Vicki Davis is operating at the cutting edge of student technology by showing her students ways to access the world through computers. From a school in rural Georgia she has broken barriers by finding ways to interact with other students globally and create a virtual classroom. I agree with her point that teachers shouldn't teach all the time. There should be time allotted for students to teach the class because teachers can learn from them and get a glimpse of how well they are teaching by the knowledge base of their students. As she explained in this video her students showed her something she didn't even know how to do. This would have never happened if she didn't give them an opportunity to teach the class.

5. Who's Ahead in the Learning Race

Who's ahead in the learning race in an informative video about the way technology is changing education. Third graders at Gulf Shores Elementary are all using MacBook Air to change the way they learn. This is shown by the various activates they are engaging in. I would argue that these elementary students are ahead of many university students because there education is all based around technology. All of the students seem "tech savvy" and enthusiastic about using computer software to further their education. I agree we should throw out the textbooks and bring in the e-books to further education. This will ensure that all students know how to functionally use technology and prepare them to be successful in the future.

6. Flipping the Classroom

Flipping the classroom is a new concept to me. I agree that the new concept should be implemented in schools nationwide. By a teaching "pre teaching" the class the night before student can come in with some foreknowledge of the lesson and have a higher chance to retain the information. The education system is already going toward the virtual classroom experience and this will make students more comfortable with virtual learning. I agree that the classroom should be flipped inside and out. We should allow our students to become more independent learners.