Blog Post 2- What Will Teaching in the 21st Century Be Like?

  Upon watching the YouTube video, "Mr.Dancealot" it is clear to see that the central message and concept of the video is to bring light to the issue of students being expected to succeed through simply listening to lectures, rather than personal experience with the given material. The author makes this case when the mock dance class is expected to preform dances they have never actually participated in, but rather only been lectured on. Thus, obviously setting the students up for failure. I find this conclusion to be very accurate. Without allowing students to become involved and have personal learning experiences with the given material, the educator is almost insuring that long term success will not be received. Just as one cannot learn a dance by only hearing about the steps, one cannon fully grasp the information given to them without something that allows them to connect with what they are hearing.

  In the video, "Teaching in the 21st Century," Roberts states that to be a teacher no longer means your are the source of education, rather the teacher is now the filter. The teachers role now is to teach students how to efficiently discover knowledge.

1. Robert's Argument

1. Teacher's role in the live of students is obsolete
   • Students can get information on anything, anytime, anywhere.
   • Students have virtually limitless information.
2. Teacher' roles are no longer the main source of knowledge, but the filter.
   • It is an educator's job to teach the student to productively validate, synthesize, communicate,and collaborate information.
3. Entertain vs. Engage
   • Entertainment is done as a leisure activity. It is passive.
   • Engagement is active and used for learning.

In my opinion Robert's makes some very good points, and it is clear to see he has fully grasped what education in the 21st century is currently and what it will surely grow in to. I do not agree with everything he is saying though. It seems as though he is undermining the role of a teacher. Yes, technology is more than helpful in the classroom, and yes it gives students an entirely new way to view education. I however, don't completely agree that technology will ever overtake the importance of human interaction and communication between one another. The job I will preform, as a teacher one day, will surely be different than any type of teaching I was exposed to throughout my elementary to high school years, however I believe that brings an element of excitement to my future career.

  Throughout the video, "The Networked Student," the student is using many tools of technology in order to complete his assignment. The role of the teacher was not to be the students source for information, but to guide the student in order to help him be successful in he searching for valid information. Also, the teacher was able to help the student through connectivity and help the student form relationships all over the world.

  The thesis of Davis' video, "Harness Your Students's Digital Smarts" is that by empowering your students to learn on their own and discover a world they never knew they could have access to, promotes learning. Davis also says, a paper and pencil is designed to only benefit a certain type of student. I agree with Davis' argument. This type of learning promotes independence, connectivity, and also gives more students an opportunity to be successful within the classroom.

  I have never heard of flipping the classroom, which is discussed in the video, "Flipping the Classroom." I like the idea of it, but I do see some room for error. For me, math has never been my strong point, I feel if I was taught over a video every night and expected to do practice problems on new material, it would very likely bring frustration and discouragement. However, it is a very productive method, and if the students are able to keep up with the videos and homework, it would be very efficient in the classroom, and allow for more hands on time as well as independent learning. Which as I said earlier when discussing the "Mr. Dancealot" video, is very important for student's success.