Can asynchronous environments benefit the culture gaps in schools?

Our early discussions this week have brought up some wonderful ideas about thee asynchronous environments we've been discussing.  I found that my view has been somewhat one-sided, as I am an elementary teacher.  I often get an idea stuck in my head, and forget to think about other benefits that could come from such an environment.

Ako talked about her experiences with transfer from the Japanese educational environment to those in America.  In Japan, they are expected to stay silent during class unless they are specifically asked a question by the professor.  Speaking out or asking questions is seen as disrespectful and out of place.  Therefore, coming into an American school where participation is expected and encouraged can be very discomforting for a student of Japanese culture.  We must truly remember these ideas when we get to know our students.  Their behavior or lack of participation may be due to cultural barriers we have not looked into.  Even more, we should take the time to help our students see these difference among cultures, and how knowledge and acceptance can make a difference.

Anyways, it's very interesting to think about how online or asynchronous classroom environments can assist this issue. Students who were afraid to speak out in face-to-face experiences may be able to express themselves more thoroughly through these environments.  In addition, the language barrier between students may be broken through the use of such experiences.  Students will be able to recap on what is being said in the conversation, whereas in face-to-face meetings, one is easy to get lost.  Such an interesting thing to think about.

As an elementary teacher, I'd like to learn more about how these environments could be used in the elementary classroom.  How could it be used to communicate with other cultures?  Could it be used to communicate with parents, or extend learning beyond the classroom??  How to we help our young ones to become experienced citizens of the technological community?  Hmmmm....

Is technology taking over? How much is too much?

As we've been discussing technology and its applications in the classroom, I often wonder how much is too much?  I am definitely a believer in technology, and think it can do wonders in the classroom for our students.  Not only can they relate to the material and use relevant skills of their generation, but they can learn new skills that will become a part of our growing society.  However, is there is a point where technology is being used too much in society?  We've mentioned distance learning and eliminating classroom meetings all together.  How can this be the best decision for our students?

The young generation these days are engulfed in the media and technological items of their time.  I've observed my young brother text on his cell phone throughout an entire dinner with my grandparents who we seldom see.  Kids spend their time playing video games and searching on youtube instead of participating in sports or extracurricular activities.  Do we really think we should take away the only social encounters they have left?  I know...being dramatic.  But, this is what I feel will be further taken away if we eliminate these learning situations.  Although SKYPE and online chats can be used effectively to teach and assess our students, it should not be the sole form.  Students need to interact with each other, physically solve problems, and have discussions that are meaningful and in person.

On the other hand, technology opens a world to our students that was never offered to us as children.  Our students can now learn about cultures by actually speaking to students and professionals across the country or the world!  They can create and listen to podcasts about ways of life that they had no idea existed.  It is truly amazing the applications these tools can have in our classroom.  The main idea of this thought is to create a balance between them.  Use these technology tools to enhance our students' education, and open up worlds of opportunities to them.  But, don't take away the social aspect of education, and the part that makes it real and relevant.  Children need those interactions, and thrive on the actions of their peers.  If we are to truly prepare them to be citizens of our country, we must give them the best of both worlds.

Perceptions & Technology Integration

I really enjoyed the articles reference to Leo Lionni's, "Fish is Fish."  As an elementary school teacher, I love finding connections with young literature.  The article alludes that a student's perception must be changed by first hand interactions. The frog in the story expects that the fish will understand everything he tells him about the outside world.  However, the fish's perceptions are based on what he knows, and that's it.  We must give our students 1st hand experiences with new concepts so that they can form new perceptions or alter their existing perceptions to match what they have learned.  I would like to use this metaphor with my introductory education students.  It's a good way to show how our teaching should affect our students.  

In addition, we, as teachers, should use our students' strengths to their advantage.  The generation of students that attend our schools today are tech-savvy and ready for technological challenges.  How can we use our students' strengths in technology to get them involved in their learning at school.  Here are some things I'm thinking, and I'd like to look more into:

• podcasting
• social networking (facilitated solely through a school)
• e-books
• video editing (to create authentic products?)  
• SKYPE, distance learning
• email (pen pals...?)

The world of technology is increasing at a phenomenal rate.  Is there a way where we can find more time for professional development in this field?  I feel that a lot more teachers would use technological advances to benefit their instruction if they had specialized training on how to use it!  I know it's out there.  It's just finding the time and resources to do it.  This should be a goal of our educational system.  We need to connect to our students.  We need to allow them to express themselves in a variety of modes.  Their creativity should be allowed to grow, not hindered by our standards-based reality.  

A Vision of Students Today

     Today, I was introduced to the youtube video, A Vision of Students Today, once again.  I remember seeing this video in one of my education classes.  Created by a cultural college class, the message from the video is strong and haunting.  It really makes you think about where education, and life, is going.  Is technology helping our society, or will is slowly destroy the traditional values our world has worked so hard to uphold?  

     This is what I took from this video.  Technology can be a great benefit to our students, and our own individual lives.  However, it needs to not be taken for granted.  We, as 21st century citizens, know what this means.  Some of the students expressed how much time they spend on the internet, especially during class time.  Honestly, I've done the same thing in some of my classes.  On the other hand, if the classes were effectively using 21st century techniques and technology, maybe these students wouldn't be tempted to stray off course.  I believe that it is our goal as teachers to discover new techniques that will catch our students' interests, and keep them engaged.  I truly believe that students have a desire to learn new things.  So, why do I find kids who hate school at the age of 7?  Education is falling behind the progression of our technological society.  There is a gap between how students are taught and the resources they encounter in their every day lives.  We need to be active learners, and find ways to close this gap.  

     I plan to show this video to my own class of college students, entering the field of teaching.  I believe it is a great topic for discussion, and will allow future educators to think about their teaching practices.  We can have such an effect on the lives of our students.  Our goal: to use the process of inquiry and discovery to find the most effective way of connecting our students to the process of learning.