Blog Post #2

1. Did You Know? 3.0 - A John Strange 2012 Version
EDM310 Class Blog
Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod

This video was extremely intriguing. It is crazy to think how much more advanced other countries are than the United States. As a soon to be educator I feel that this need to be addressed much more aggressively. In my opinion much of America has become very lazy. I feel this way because there are so many Americans who grow with a silver spoon in their mouth, meaning that they are given everything and do not have to work for much. American society is also becoming consumed by social networks and the internet instead of personal exchanges in which, I feel can be somewhat useful but has also hurt our society.

As a country we need to greatly improve our education systems. One way I feel this could be done is by doing away with standardized testing. With teachers constantly having to teach on such strict guidelines many students are not interested in learning these materials. Students are only learning these materials for a short amount of time and not retaining much of the information.

2. Mr. Winkle Wakes
EDM310 Class Blog
Matthew Needleman

In this video Mr. Winkle awakes from a 100 year sleep.  Mr Winkle awakes finding that everything he knew has changed. There are enormous buildings and everything in constant movement. He is pleased to find that the only that has not changed is the school systems.

After watching this video I disagree with Mr Winkle. I feel that the school systems have changed over time. They have become more modernized with technology being integrated into schools.  I also feel that the material being taught has changed a good amount over time but not necessarily in the right way.  Overall I was intrigued by this video but also confused by it as well.

3. The Importance of Creativity
EDM310 Class Blog
Sir Ken Robinson

Dr. Robinson explains his view on the importance of creativity in the field or education.  He feels that creativity is just as important in education as literacy.  He also feels that all children have exceptional talents but many are overlooked. He goes on to talk about how when we are children we are not afraid of taking a chance and that we are not afraid of making a mistake.  He then tells about how when we become adults we gain that fear and are constantly afraid of being wrong. He feels that we are educated out of creativity in the sense that mistakes are the worst thing we could ever do.  He also goes on to say that he feels thats all teachers, even from all around the world, teach the same subject matter.

This video immediately caught my attention and kept it throughout the entire video. Mr. Robinson has a very interesting way of the way he feels about education. He has valid points through out the entire video. I completely agree with him on everything through his video. One of his best points is how he feels that we grow, or are educated out of creativity. Going off of what Mr. Robinson said in this video much more creativity should be integrated into our schools instead constant lectures. The way that he thinks is exactly how I plan to teach. I want all of my classes to interactive and creative instead of boring and miserable.

3. Pinterest: Using Available Resources
EDM310 Class Blog
Kaitlin Burgess and Bethany Griffith 

I am already familiar with Pinterest myself.  I have had one for a few months but have only used the account once. Traditional Pinterest is looked at only a thing or girls , but it can be used for great educational purposes. It can be used to make creative lesson plans.  Pinterest can also help with organization ideas. I feel that Pinterest, when used the correct way, can be an extremely useful way to create new ideas.