I'm going to borrow a quote from one of my classmates, Nathan, just because I like it and it gets you thinking:
What would happen if Education moved as fast as technology?
An interesting night full of active discussion. Frustrations with technology integration in schools, but primarily "behind the scenes" frustration. Technology as it relates to students is working quite well-laptops, iPads, Syncpad, smartboards, texting your answers..........look where we have come and wonder where we will go........
More resources. Tools for the toolbelt.
A video where children are self instructed in technology and using a computer within 8 minutes when they've never seen a computer before. Where language is not a barrier. Where the younger ones teach the older ones. Where kids are surrounded by a computer watching and helping each other. The power of group learning.
I've been curious for awhile now about how technology could really help children/students with different languages and different learning styles.....the video shows makes me think it could be possible.
The children will learn, with or without us, so why not help guide their way?
Great questions and thoughts on both topics. As for your last paragraph, there's a lot of hype in the potential of Google translate. It's not an instructional tool, but a translation tool. Check it out--lots of potential.
ReplyDeleteIt's an interesting question how kids apparently can self-organize, teach themselves--even a language on their own. I don't think Mitra is proposing we ditch schools and classrooms with teachers. I think his point is to honor the natural instincts of learning kids bring to school at an early age, and to have the school system augment rather than remove those instincts.