Blog Post # 2

Blog Post # 2 What Will Teaching In The 21st Century Be Like?

Mr. Dancealot

In the YOUTUBE video, the teacher demonstrates his vast knowledge of the subject he has been teaching for twelve years; however, his students are at a loss when the time comes for them to demonstrate what they have learned. Teaching and learning has changed significantly through the years, a course on dancing should not and can not be effectively taught through rote memorization, as such is the case with many important subjects faced in education today. I agree with the central message of the video because it would be extremely difficult to learn without doing. The video reminds teachers to involve the students in the learning process. This is the most efficient method for delivering instruction.

Teaching In The 21st Century

After viewing the Kevin Roberts clip, I have a better understanding about the urgency for technology driven lessons and teaching and learning in the 21st century. Children today gather information instantaneously. The internet and social media are an ever-present source for unlimited use in the lives of children today. Teachers must integrate the use of technology and soon because societal consumption of digital media is growing rapidly. If content, facts, dates, formulas, research, theories, stories, information are the only thing teachers can provide, then our role in the lives of students is obsolete according to Roberts. A teacher must not simply deliver information but enable the student to discern how to receive and implement information to best equip them in this digital age. Honing higher order thinking skills are what teaching has evolved to, gone are the days when multiple choice testing will remain a sufficient basis for measuring knowledge.

I believe the way students are learning should evolve to parallel trends in technology and modern life, for if it lags so will our success as a nation. To ignore the ways of modern society would be shortchanging our students. People today can gain a wealth of knowledge in a split second; teachers are going to have to work at breakneck speed to keep up, or we will ultimately be the ones who are left behind.

The Networked Student

Wendy Drexler created a movie, where the question is asked: Why does he, the networked student, even need a teacher? The answer is the teacher is a person the student may use as a guide while navigating the abundance of digital resources available. Students are able to obtain information from around the world from credible sources about any topic exponentially. Teachers will be facilitators who teach students to evaluate, network, credit, integrate and problem solve while researching and learning. Teaching in the modern sense will be that of a mentor role, independent discovery will drive instruction, which is what maybe teaching should have been all along.

Harness Your Students’ Digital Smarts

Vicki Davis talks about student achievement in her short film titled Harness Your Students’ Digital Smarts. Davis speaks about how teaching should not be limited to pencil and paper because only certain students will succeed. The perspective Davis presents is one that should motivate teachers across the globe to connect to each other as well as the world stage because we are now a global economy as the world is growing more and more interconnected so should our teaching.

Flipping the classroom is a new concept to me, and I like the idea of providing instruction prior to the lesson. I personally have met many students who would benefit from this type of instruction. Background knowledge is so important when a student can make those connections to the lesson, they are more engaged and will follow along so much more than if they fall behind and become disinterested. As school systems integrate technology, lessons delivered in this manner will prove invaluable to those struggling students who will be afforded the opportunity to use technology and supplement their own education with lessons catered to their individual needs. This is an exciting time in education right now; I am thrilled I get to be a part of it.

Practice Post

Hello everyone out there in cyberspace! I'm Alexandria Butler and one thing you should know about me is that I am not computer savvy! I will try to do my best to keep up. I'm just a country girl, who grew up in Kentucky. As a child, my family and I lived in an old farmhouse without electricity or indoor plumbing. We had an out-house and, yes it included a Sears catalog, although, I'm hoping that was just a joke! When I was about nine we moved to Florida, where life was very different from what I was accustomed to in my tiny hometown. After graduating from high school, I wanted to get out on my own, so I joined the Army.

I was in the Army for two years as a Communications installer, now obsolete, when I met my husband to be. We have a daughter who just turned thirteen. In 2003 we moved to his hometown, Mobile, where we both attended South, majoring in education.

I decided to become an educator not because of an overwhelming positive educational experience or a special teacher who really got through to me, but a lack thereof. I became an educator because I have a love of learning and a desire to make a positive impression on a child, one who may never have had someone who cared. It is my hope that I can have an important impact on as many children as possible and instill a love of learning with in them as well.

Blog Assignment # 1

What about EDM 310?

In 2006 EDM 310 was a very different course. The class was a basic micro-computing class about what a computer consists of, how to turn it on and something about bit code. The students constructed mini-vita's/resume's and learned how to use a USB mass storage device. I liked the class very much and felt little to no anxiety about the content or requirements needed in order to earn an perfectly acceptable grade.

"Live long and prosper",Dr. D.

EDM 310 "2014" is a course that incites a special kind of panic and fear within myself. When I registered for this class, I had no knowledge the format had changed. I have been out of the college loop for a while now. It has readily come to my attention that not only am I technologically illiterate but evidently suffer from reading comprehension problems as well because it takes me forever to figure out how to complete menial tasks in this course thus far! I am increasingly getting the feeling that material included in this single class contains a course load that is going to be a struggle for me to meet. I fear I will fail this class.



EDM 310 week one, has left me feeling underprepared overwhelmed and frustrated beyond any class I have taken during my college career. Confidence in my writing ability, is something that has been a lifelong struggle; therefore, blog posts are not something I am comfortable writing. I am hesitant to comment on any form of social media. I have my work cut out for me but that is something that has been a central theme in my life. The fact that my lack of knowledge frustrates me to no end, is not a reason for me to give up. I will hopefully work up the nerve to ask for help, as lab sessions will inevitably prove to be an invaluable resource. It will be my goal to get as much as I can out of this course and hopefully I will be able to instruct my collegues about material featured in this class.

My Test Post Title

I am now a blogger.