Blog Post # 2

Did You Know?
I was blown away by this video presentation. It is simply amazing how many things happen that you overlook, and in such a small amount of time, too. My brothers and I have discussions about things like this. In the early 1990's, video games were just beginning to be produced, with unrealistic graphics and extremely picselated visuals. Now, barely 20 years later, graphics in video games have improved exponentially, and in the near future there is no telling what will happen. My guess is that it will be an an entirely virtual experience one day, with players feeling that they are actually in the game.
What both concerns and impresses me by this presentation is how they ended it, with the question "So what does it all mean?" Who is to say? No one can. It is an intimidating, yet exciting, concept.

Mr. Winkle Wakes
This video really made me think. Firstly, I will present my concern, which is a question "why haven't schools intergrated as much technology into their system as other things have?" I cannot give a precise answer, but that concern opened up a sense of relief, oddly enough.
My relief is this realization: a long time ago, schools were run not much differently than they were only a few years ago. It seemed to work back then, so it does not make much sense to change something that is already good. Of course there have been changes here and there with schools, some may say drastic ones, but if the school systems stick with what worked in the past, education may look promising in the future.

Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity
I have seen this video before, and I must say that I am glad to be seeing it again.
Firstly, I have to say I agree with Sir Ken Robinson. School does seem to kill creativity. One such is example is what Sir Ken addressed, the issue of funds not being properly organized for extra curricular activities, such as dance, art, music, etc. Who's to say that these things aren't as important as math, science or english? I have a friend who is a graphic design major, and many of his courses are in the art building. He often tells me of how the school does not provide adequate funds for the art building. We see art everywhere. It is important.
Another friend of mine, my girlfriend, is a fantastic dancer, whom I was reminded of when Sir Ken Robinson spoke of the little girl at the end of his presentation. The little girl did not need medication to stifle her creativity; she needed to dance. Likewise, my girlfriend expresses herself through movement (dance) and not with words (like an english class). To her, creativity is everything, and it should be to many.

Cicelia Gault Interviews Sir Ken Robinson
This video is wonderful, and I, like Sir Ken Robinson, would also like to adress the three myths of creativity. The first, 'only certain people are creative' and the third, 'you're either creative or you're not,' can go hand in hand. I think that everyone is creative in their own way, and the only reason why someone wouldn't be is if no one ever encouraged them to take their creativity further. I know that many people lose interest in their creative abilities because no one showed interest in the first place.
The second myth, 'creativity is only about certain things,' is also a rediculous notion, which I think is another factor which stifles creativity at a young age. People say things like 'oh, you will never get anywhere with singing; try dancing' and vice versa. I think any parent, teacher or supervisor, when sensing creativity in a child, should do anything in their power to direct that child into further expanding their natural talent.

Vicki Davis: Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts 
Vicki Davis's class reminds me so much of EDM310: an innovative classroom setting which involves not only becoming someone who is technologically literate, but also a self-learner. She mentions how when she says a new word her students are expected to look it up if they do not understand it, which is a great teaching tool in my opinion.
She reminds me tremendously of Dr. Strange, who also believes that the best way to learn is to do rather than simply listen to a lecture and 'burp it back up.' Another similarity between Dr. Strange and Vicki Davis, and also one I admire, is that eventually things like pens and paper become a nuisance; they both promote a 'green' classroom setting.