Television as Technology

I was wondering about many of my other classmates posts on the lines of television and the thought of TV as a popular technology that almost all kids can relate with. Unfortunately, I think the use of TV on that level is limited. Sure, they might watch all of the same shows and tv might be a very good communicator, but it seems to me like this would be the same argument that was used in one of our articles previously in the course. They talked about how we always assume that children are "technologically advanced". However, just because they use technology does not mean they are gaining skills for using it towards educational purposes. Unless we filter and funnel that learning in a way that benefits them in the future, they become people who can play video games and watch tv without relating these skills back to real life challenges and implementations. I'd warn against using TV until we've figured out a really good way to channel their attention and ideas into positive outcomes.

Video Game Technologies

I mentioned this in our latest forum posts for class, but the thought of video games as a useful tool for students. We always criticize children that have a tendency to just sit in front of a video game screen all day. However, some of the video games we have today are incredibly complex and can be used to teach wonderful things. I am most experienced (though I have not played in a year or so) with World of Warcraft. The systems involved in this game are complex. One has to navigate a world that has a lot of threats to the character and one of the best way is forming alliances with friends and others that play the game. People use a trade system, battle together, and typically use online conferencing technologies to improve such efforts. I wonder if we aren't overlooking one of the more interesting possibilities in teaching when we write off games like this. When one gets to the "end game content", things really get interesting. Players must form groups as large as 40 people (each person with a specific task within the group) as they take on computer generated content. The tasks can range from simple to incredibly difficult and requires the proper coordination, execution, and effort from all 40 group members. They react to new changes in the content and must adapt their play style to how the task is forming in front of them. This kind of interaction could possibly be used for educational purposes, I think, but how we use and direct such technologies would also be important.

Face-to-Face in 21st Century Learning

Hello, one and all. We have been learning a lot about the various, unique tools that come with 21st Century learning. Some of these tools we are familiar with, while others we are not. I cannot deny the advantages of modern technology entering the classroom and I certainly plan to be modern/effective with technology when I get the chance to teach. However, I worry about face-to-face interactions.
         I work with an organization called YoungLife. It involves college volunteers mentoring high school students. Typically, when we are hosting an event I will send out a text in order to let everyone know we are having the event. This mass text, along with facebook invitations, are one of the best ways to get the word out to everyone that we are going to be having the event. They are effective and without them certain people would not come, let alone know that the event is being held. However, on more than one occasion I've encountered high schoolers that feel like a "number" in this process. Why?
       To be frank, they miss and desire the face to face interaction. It means so much more when I hand them a flier and tell them personally that I really want them to be at the event. Texts and facebook are effective resources for relaying information, but they really cannot place the personal touch of in-person communications.
       It is my hope that none of us forget this in the classroom. While we should be utilizing technology and constantly reassessing how we can teach and groom students for a completely new, modernized society... we cannot forget to push them in communications with ourselves and one another. I picture a classroom full of laptops and students typing away and never really having a teacher/mentor look them in the eye and tell them they're doing a good job. I know that is unlikely... but I also think we will forget to think about the importance of quality and quantity face-to-face interactions with students. One of the most valuable skills, along with modern technology use, that they can carry into the future is talking and communicating well with others. We need to go wide without forgetting to go deep.