Global Learning in Schools

Well, I agree with several of Alan November's points. I wish he were a bit of a more dynamic speaker. *yawn*

Anywho, if I could teach a class that had a research station, a reading station, and a writing station, I would be all over this stuff. I truly believe students need to know how to research, create, and own their learning. My only issue--again--is our lack of resources in order to allow it. I am pretty sure that if a streaming video uses too much bandwidth that Skype is out of the question. Also, in my experience, my middle school students who are higher-performing are very tech savvy and the lower performing ones can barely type or operate a computer at all. Oftentimes this goes back, too, to what is available in the home. Quite a few of my students do not have computers at home, even though it is assumed these days that everyone has one.

I suppose I am a bit torn on this issue, because theoretically I agree completely; logistically I agree mostly; and realistically I tend to raise red flags. Yes, this is what we need, yes I think this is where we are S-L-O-W-L-Y heading... Will we implement these needed changes before I retire in 20 years? We'll see...

Collaboration with Google Docs

Once again, I find myself far, far behind the times in regards to technology, seeing as I have never utilized Google Docs. However, I am--also once again--excited by the possibilities held withing. The modern Language Arts classroom is all about collaboration, feedback, reflection, revising, and sharing work. Google Docs could definitely come in handy with these processes.

I know that in the near future students will have more accessibility to computers, so I could use the same collaborative-writing assignments that I have in the past, but I can ensure more accountability for each individual student. Also, in the past I have assigned students to create newspapers based on novels that they read, but the major downfall was that only one student could type at a time. Google Docs could alleviate that problem.

Video Games in Education

First and foremost, I would like to complain about the video itself in that it is impossible to appreciate visual jokes and witty quotes when one cannot actually see them. Now on to the actual content: being a former gamer myself--former only because I no longer have time; I still watch my husband play and help him solve puzzles--I can easily understand the benefits of gaming. I actually find in my classes that, for the most part, my die-hard gamers are typically the more intellectually advanced. Teaching middle school, though, I still have a very hard time thinking they have the maturity to handle having a phone out during class.
As far as the ROLE of video games in education, I can see how they would be great for a virtual lab in science, a supplemental or immersion-based lesson in history, or just about any elective or vocational course. For Language Arts, however, I think gaming would be more tricky. I suppose one could use the discourse in games such as the Elder Scrolls series or something like that where word craft is considered a skill as a lesson, but I think even that might be a stretch. I did like the concepts, though, that Prensky outlines of presenting a problem-solution format, providing a goal or consequence, and providing images before text. THOSE things I feel that I can take back to my classroom, although our PS3 will remain safely at home.