We desperately need . . . we may not survive without . . . a generation of young people who are imaginative, inventive, fearless learners, and compassionate leaders. Yet, what can we say, as educators, about the students we are producing? We can prove that they can read, do basic math on paper, and they are able to sit for hours filling in bubble sheets.
No generation in history has ever been so thoroughly prepared for the industrial age.
http://davidwarlick.com/2cents/2006/02/16/happy-birthday-jude/
Time is so limited to teachers because of frequent testing that is required and using the curriculum in order to meet the state standards. More and more students are developing test and performance anxiety. Children are in their classrooms, sitting, the majority of the school day. Recess time is reduced to squeeze in more academic time and subjects that foster creativity are being eliminated because of budget cuts. It is a proven fact that everyone needs 'down time' in order to fully comprehend and understand information. Lack of recess and gym and more sitting definitely increases childhood obesity, fatigue and lack of focusing. Children are not robots; they need time to have fun and play and create connections to new things learned.
One of our problems has been that we have tried to shape the technology around outdated notions of what schooling is about, rather than reshaping our notions to reflect new world conditions. . . . In a rapidly changing world, it becomes much less valuable to be able to memorize the answer, and much more valuable to be able to find and even invent the answers. . . . We can’t keep up with making the technology the curriculum. All we can do is prepare our students to teach themselves. It’s the only way to keep up.
http://davidwarlick.com/2cents/2005/12/16/so-whats-different-some-answers/
Effective learning is all about exploring and coming up with new questions and answers that go beyond set boundaries. Creating connections and relating information is so important in comprehending and remembering information. Teaching children the same information in the same way, year after year is ridiculous. Introducing new technology and ways of conveying curriculum are a few avenues teachers can take to prepare students.
Good point about kids needing more physical activity. Maybe when we get more efficient with our methods of teaching those essential standards, we can relax and enjoy our days a little more!
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point, student need to explore new things to learn. Technology provides a good way for students to create and learn. Also, as you said introducing new technology prepare student for their future.
ReplyDelete