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Today was the first class of ED 5534, a course based on science and technology in education. The class included a plethora of activities and peer interactions. It began with some (fun) ice breakers, creating a personalized name tag and playing the science version of 'Heads Up.' Both of which were inviting and helpful in calming the nerves of myself and many of my peers. Similarly, as a class we each created our version of a scientist. Mine reflected more or less myself in a laboratory. However, as we took a gallery walk around the room it was very interesting to notice the commonalities. Although there were numerous female scientists depicted, it was interesting to notice that the majority of scientists were male; most scientists were drawn as a male in a lab of some sort. It was alarming to see that stereotype is still so prevalent. However, all I could think about was in my future classroom I hope to establish an environment that cultivates scientists from all walks of life including male, female, minorities, English language learners, and students with disabilities to name a few. Following these activities, we completed a group scavenger hunt. This was an interactive approach to becoming more familiar with e-class, course expectations, and resources. The majority of the class was approached in this type of interactive, inquiry-based learning experience. I think it was an interesting approach to the first class, yet highly effective in the fact that Dr. Smirnova is implementing exactly what the course is teaching. Overall, today's class was not like most. The approach utilized and information gained has me very intrigued as to how the rest of the semester will play out.
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Dr. Smirnova mentioned a few videos...
The video "A Vision of k-12 Student Today" published by Barbara Nesbitt was a short yet informative video. I was shocked by the staggering facts presented within the short clip. Students represented facts like:
"I will spend 16 1/2 hours watching tv this week."
"5 1/2 on the computer."
and
"2 hours reading books"
(Nesbitt, 2004).
Although this video was published in 2007 and the facts may be outdated, I think the message being conveyed is still relevant to today's teachers. Technology is inescapable and today's education is ever-changing. Our students are coming into today's classroom with more experience with technology and the digital world than ever imagined before. They are born within a digital world. Technology is becoming the language of our students. Nevertheless, the educational system is not reflective of this shift. According to the video, at least once a week 14% of teachers allow their students to create something new with technology. Meaning 63% of teachers do not. Again, although the facts may be outdated, I like to think that more teachers today have implemented the use of technology in their classroom one way or another. By not incorporating technology teachers are doing a disservice to students. We are meant to prepare students for their futures, yet the one thing we know for fact about their future is that technology is not disappearing, in fact, by the time our future learners reach adulthood technology will be inevitable and more prevalent than ever. With this in mind, I have still encountered teachers who see technology as more harmful than helpful. I think this mindset is only suggestive of a teacher who has yet to experience the educational benefits behind the technology. That being said, I think it is ever important to provide teachers with the training and tools necessary to incorporate technology in engaging and effective ways. It can be a tremendous resource to a classroom and students.
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Complementary to the first video, this video, updated for the 2019 year, was thought-provoking. Becoming a future teacher, I never really thought about the fact that we are preparing students for jobs that do not exist yet. This video showcases the unsettling truths about the future and the future of our students. These facts specifically:
"For students starting a 4-year technical degree, this means that.. half of what they learn in their first year of study will be outdated by their third year of study."
"Predictions are that by 2049, a $1000 computer will exceed the computational capabilities of the entire human species."
(FreeWorkingTricks, 2019)
Reading that first fact, "...half of what students learn in their first year of study will be outdated by their third year of study," was alarming. However, in retrospect, this very fact shows how quickly our world is changing and adapting. This sheer fact also demonstrates how critical it is to teach students how to think not what to think. Jobs are becoming obsolete and we have no idea what the future will hold for our students. Yet predictions like by 2049 "computers will exceed the computational capabilities of the entire human species." Predictions which, as educators, need to accounted for in order o determine how the educational system can best serve our students.
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“All children are born artists, the problem is to remain an artist as we grow up.” –Pablo Picasso.
"It is education that is meant to take us into the future that we cant grasp" - Ken Robinson
Ken Robinson encompassed every message conveyed in the aforementioned videos and related it to the significance of creativity. One purpose of education and schooling is to prepare students for the future. Students spend decades in the educational system. However, it is extremely difficult to educate students for a future that is unknown. He states "...we don't know what 5 years from now looks like," the future is unpredictable and uncertain. Ken Robinson explains that every education system is valuing and focusing on the wrong thing. "Every education system has the same hierarchy, at the bottom are the arts" (Robinson, 201). When schools focus on tests, grades, scores, assignments, regurgitating facts and memorizing theories or methods they are squandering creativity, innovation, and wonderment in students. Information and facts memorized by students will fade sooner than later, but the ability to think critically, analytically, freely, the ability to create and innovate is what will make a difference in the future and the future success of our students. Knowledge gained from school is incredibly important, however, creativity is equally important and educators need to take an active role in empowering student's creativity. Children are naturally creative and innovative, educators need to do their part in nurturing and encouraging these creative capabilities.
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I expect this course to be a fast-paced and interactive experience. I expect to be fully immersed in the world of science and technology, gaining exposure to a variety of resources, strategies, and technologies that will better prepare me for teaching future scientists. I hope this course instills in me the means to elicit curiosity and wonder into my future students.
