Discuss
your overall reaction to the Wesch video.
. I
found the overall video very informative and eye-opening into some of
the obvious behaviors and actions of my own adult learners from my
classroom. While we all notice certain gaps and issues within our
classrooms, this video provided invaluable insight into actual data
of the perception of students in school today. While quite
disturbing and sad, I believe this information has had to be valuable
in turning education and technology into more meaningful learning
environments over the past few years.
-
Do you find the video's message to be on target?
As
an instructor of adult learners, I totally agree with the information
expressed on this video. All too often I find students uninterested
in lecture and in in-class assignments because they are more
interested in texting and being on facebook. I would also agree that
even though these students end up being thousands of dollars in debt
after completing their degree, they still seem to be only going
through the motions to get a degree in the end. It seems as though
students would want to be more engaged and more aggressive toward
their own learning progression. Many times I feel the students in my
class think they are going to learn through osmosis because they feel
that all of the information should just be handed to them. There is
little motivation and drive in a large number of students. Another
point the students from the video pointed out was that they only read
approximately half of their assigned readings. I can attest to my
own students who, again, feel like all the information should be
given to them aloud to qualify as important. For the most part, I
can see a great number of these points in my own classroom (Wesch,
2007).
-
What changes or advances in technology have taken place to help
address some of the issues raised in the video?
. I
think that one of the main changes that have taken place over the
last few years is the byod initiative. Allowing students to use
their own personal devices within the classroom for supplemental
resources, interaction, and collaborative efforts among classmates.
Another change that has occurred is that students have more options
for e-learning, distance learning, and online classes than in the
past. Students are forced to become self-centered learners and not
rely as much on an instructor. In my own opinion, this has helped to
address some of the boredom within the classroom, the wasteful
spending of those who cannot attend class for various reasons, and
the time spent driving to and from class. These types of classes
offer more convenient and flexible situations for our students. More
active learning environments have also been achieved through flipped
learning environments where the student learns the material own their
own time, and participate in more action-based activities within the
classroom setting (Horizon Report, 2015).
-
Students entering college today were born in the last years of the
20th century. Middle and high school students were born in the 21st
century. They have always been "connected." What elements
of instructional design should be considered to meet the needs of
these connected learners?
. I
think the main consideration for enabling students to be connected is
to allow responsible use of their own devices in the classroom
environment. Students have a broad range of information available at
their fingertips most of the time. Being able to reign those
resources in to use in an academic manner is a huge consideration for
teachers of the 21st
century. The redesigning of learning spaces to incorporate more
active, hands-on, collaborative work spaces will also encourage
students to be connected to themselves, as well as to the material
they are learning (Horizon Report, 2015).
-Share
a couple of questions or concerns you have in thinking about this
seismic shift in educational practices.
One
concern I have about the future of education is the ability to of
educators to cater to the needs of a diverse group of individuals.
Although this has been a challenge of educators for many years, I
believe it will be an even greater challenge to try to align devices
and technology to meet the needs of learners. I also think that
educators will have a challenge keeping up with changing technology
over the next few years while trying to utilize it for their diverse
learners. Technology changes so quickly that just when one thinks
they can use a new technology well, it is already outdated. Yet
another concern is the motivation and initiative educators will
display in regards to much-needed professional development for the
effective use of technology.
References:
Wesch,
M. (2007, October 12). A
vision of students today.
[YouTube Video]. Retrieved from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o.
NMC Horizon Report: 2015 Higher Education. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.nmc.org/publication/nmc-horizon-report-2015-higher education-edition/
.
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