Wesch Video's Reflection

I REALLY enjoyed Professor Wesch's videos, especially the "Vision of Students Today". 

Growing up I had 2 TV channels and never had the internet. I played outside in all types of weather and remember reading everything I could get my hands on including encyclopedias that my mom had  bought for me at a thrift store.  

I vaguely remember getting a computer when I was a teenager and figuring it out very quickly.  I remember playing Chips Challenge on our home computer. I remember getting sucked into the challenges and neglecting to do my homework because I wanted to play the computer game. The computer that we had was very slow! I think we tried having internet but the dial up was so slow on the mountain I lived on in high school but  it wouldn't work. I visited my mom last weekend and her internet is still super slow which I don't understand, but their whole neighborhood swears there is no other option for internet access. 

The Vision of Students today was pretty spot on as far as data goes for current college students. I found myself agreeing with all of the signs they held up including I buy $100 text books and never use them. I don't understand why teachers require a text book when we can look up the pdf online usually or find the same theories and information online and not have to pay for it! 

I also found myself agreeing with not getting enough sleep, wasting time on FB and the internet, and writing alot more emails than actual papers for classes in my undergraduate degree. Although I still did all these things I knew what was expected of me in school and was able to graduate with honors. I think assignments just took me longer because I would get distracted and browse the internet in between paragraphs!

I'm taking a digital technology in education course and it is with all teachers. Its interesting to hear their viewpoints on technology in the classroom. Some think it should be a huge part of the way they teach and have math Olympics against students in other countries, they were able to receive a grant for Ipads and do lessons on them everyday. Others think that kids get distracted using it and don't focus on the lesson plan and just use it computers entertainment. 

I wanted to share this video about creativity in the classroom. Are public education systems trying to produce university professors and killing creativity??