EDLD+5364+Week+5+Reflection

The “Big Thinker” videos this week brought out some important points on changing the face of education today. The James Paul Gee interview confirmed what other experts have been stating…kids like to collaborate and work in groups using multimedia technology. Gee states, “Kids want to be producers, not just consumers.” Through the use of video games which gives students almost immediate feedback, teachers can assess the level of student learning. The Gardener and Barab videos touched on ethics and engagement in digital media. Overall, these three videos confirmed the need to put technology into the hands of students in order to best educate them for the 21st century workplace and world. This same message was stated in the Solomon and Schrum text as well. These authors, citing the wisdom of Helen Barrett, recognize that incorporating technology can bring about greater student achievement. Motivating students to a level that online social-networking sites elevates them to, can “further the goals of deep learning” (Solomon and Schrum, 2007, p. 174). If educators could motivate students to exert the same level of effort they put into their social-networking sites, student achievement would soar. As Pitler states, “…effort is the wisest choice for someone who intends to achieve success or maintain it” (Pitler, 2007. p. 155). After viewing the videos and completing the readings, I have gained greater insight into the value of teaching kids through engaging, interactive technology, and in teaching them to connect effort with success.

Edutopia.org (nd). //Big thinkers: James Paul Gee on grading with games.// Retrieved on Oct. 5, 2009 from http://www.edutopia.org/digital-generation-james-gee-video.

Solomon, G., Schrum, L. (2007).//Web 2.0 New Tools, New Schools.// Washington, D.C. International Society for Technology in Education. (p. 101).

Pitler, H. H. (2007). //Using technology with classroom instruction that works.// Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. (p. 155).