Blog Assignments: Episode 1: Techno Babble and the Creativity Crisis

--Did You Know?--
The video gives various facts and figures that may or may not be precisely accurate, depending on whether or not the creators "cherry picked" certain figures. The video seems a bit aggressive with its presentation of the information. The presentation style coupled with the background music lures the viewer into a sense of security, allowing them to absorb and possibly believe what ever it is the creators of this video could want to present as viable information.

Despite all of this, I must say that technology and information exchange capabilities are progressing so quickly that the human race cannot even keep up with what it is creating. Technology is also advancing so rapidly that there are very little rules or regulations, at least as far as proper conduct goes.

--Mr. Winkle Wakes--
It is true that many schools use computers or other technologies for no more than grade and information storage systems. I attended a school that used computers to teach typing. While this was good it was all the computers were used for. The library had computers but access was limited. My school also had an electronics class that I myself took. The class was scrapped after I graduated.

It is a shame really that many schools do not make good use of technology when they have it at their disposal. However, many schools fall prey to poor funding and are not able to give students opportunities to interact and learn how to use computers and other technologies.

--Sir Ken Robinson--
Ken Robinson's entertaining presentation sheds light on an all too common problem in the modern education system. The hierarchy that is set up does not cater to the expansion of student's imaginations and creativity. It is a shame that this is so, however little is done to change this, and the teachers and officials that have taken strides to change it have done so very painstakingly.

I attended a school that catered to this educational hierarchy. Very little funding was used for the arts and other programs that expanded pass the established curriculum. Most funding went to the sports programs of the school, namely football. While I do like football, it does not change the fact that the school I attended needed some sort of extra curricular activity other than just sports.


--Harness Your Student's Digital Smarts--
I do commend Vicki Davis for taking giant leaps in order to develop a program that teaches students how to use technology and expands their technological horizons. As I have said in a previous paragraph, It is far too often that schools fall prey limited funding, and must go without the use of computers or the means to teach computer application.

The video is an excellent example of a school and its staff willing to go the extra mile in order to give its students a proper course in technological application in a rapidly growing world that requires skills in computer application, etc. Other schools should follow suit and, if at all possible, use the computers and other technologies they have at their disposal to teach children at the very least basic computer skills.