Article Assessment

Article Assessment #1

I. Your Info

Your Name: Ashley Norman Email: ashleynorman3@gmail.com Date: 9/29/09

Article Title: Educational Leadership Author: Marc Prensky

II. Overview of article

To effectively communicate with students, teachers need to let their students have a voice in the classroom. This article discusses the importance of listening to students in the 21st century.

Technology is constantly changing the way students learn. Teachers need to keep up with 21st century innovations in order to fully engage their students. Todays Teachers must continue their own education and learn along side their students. Often students can be a good resource for teachers when it comes to 21st century innovations.

For students to succeed in todays technologically advancing world they need to learn how to use technology. Teachers need to understand technology systems and tools to prepare their students for the future. Furthermore, students should be able to access technology even after school is over for the day. If the resources are available to students they can work independently and learn outside of the classroom.

III. Bulleted Reference Points

• “Digital native” refers to todays students who were brought up and born into the digital world.

• “Digital immigrants” are those who were not born into the digital world.

• Students may not be fully engaged at school, but they are fully engaged in their 21st century digital life.

• Students are often a teachers best resource for suggestions on which tools and technologies should be used to teach more effectively.

• Cell phones are one of the most valuable tools a student can have, but many schools currently ban their use.

• In Europe, Japan, China and the Philippines the public uses mobile phones as learning tools.

• Programming is the key skill necessary for 21st century literacy.

• The exciting half of a students education occurs after school.

• 86% of U.S. teachers say computer technology affects the way they teach to some extent

• 55.6% of U.S. teachers say computer technology affects the way they teach a great deal.

IV. Reflection and significance

I agree that student input is very important to providing effective education. If teachers listen to their students and allow them to have a voice in the classroom it can help teachers learn how to engage their students.

I want to give my students choices and allow them to become independent thinkers. The use of technology can allow students to become self-motivated learners and help them to become passionate about their own education. I plan on using alot of technology in my classroom. Videos, games, the internet, pod casts, blogs and networking tools can all be useful when teaching. Not only do they help to engage students, but they can also make my life as a teacher easier. Technology is a wonderful convenience that saves me a lot of time and energy. It is a valuable resource that should be used in schools. I was lucky enough to be born into the digital world. I grew up using technology and understand how valuable it is. As a future educator I have a lot of appreciation for 21st century innovations.

Futuring Reflection

How would you grade or assess Fox Becomes a Better person and School Train?

• I would give fox becomes a better person a B+. The student telling the story does a great job. The only reason I would not give her an A is because at times the story was hard to follow. It may have been because I was distracted by all of her movement and gestures, but after watching it twice I understood the full story. Overall I thought she did a good job and used just the right amount of digital editing. It was easy to watch and the animated scenes fit well with the story she was telling.

• I would give school train a B- because the purpose of the video is hard to identify. They used a lot of digital editing and it took away from their message. It was hard to figure out what they were trying to convey, because the effects were so overwhelming. However, in the end I was able to understand their project and enjoyed watching it. I would not give them a C because I think this is an extremely creative project that took a lot of effort.

What impacts could the developments portrayed in epic 2015 have on your classroom, particularly with respect to things like pod casting?

The biggest impact these developments will have in my classroom is the way my students receive news and the stories they are exposed to on a daily bases.

The advent of things like pod casts and RSS feeds allow subscribers to have up to the minute media information. Students expect media to be resent and easy to access. Often times students are not concerned with the media source, bias or reliability. As educators we need to teach our students how to filter information and form their own thoughts and opinions. Media is everywhere and is more easily accessible since the development of the internet.

The internet is an amazing tool that allows us to exchange information in a matter of seconds. However, we must teach our students to question online media sources and help them to find reliable information. Teaching media literacy is very important and can help students become independent thinkers.

How might you use Sabrina Journey as a model for something you would do with your own students.

I loved this video because I relate so well to it. I believe that many students throughout Alaska would relate to Sabrina's journey. This video could be used for many things including:

• Inspiration for students hoping to pursue secondary education.
• A tool to encourage Alaskan students to stay in Alaska.
• An example of digital story telling.
• Proof that it is hard to find a place as wonderful as Alaska!

About Me

I was born and raised in a small fishing community in Alaska. I enjoy spending time outdoors and traveling. I love laughing and having fun! I enjoy all things active and hope to inspire education in others and help them to make healthier decisions in their lives. I enjoy meeting new people and learning new things. My ultimate goal in life is to be healthy and happy.