Week 1

I feel that K-12 students are similar to my generation in certain aspects. When I was in grade school, computers were beginning to become “popular” or starting to surface in education. Internet was something that students were starting to use on a daily basis. However, I see that students today are more computer literate at a very young age. Nowadays, even two-year olds are capable of using an iPad. Of course, when I was in school we did not have access to all these forms of technology. I feel that because of the new advancement in entertainment with technology, students are expecting “entertainment” in the classroom. I think that students today do not focus on their handwriting or writing skills because of the constant use of “computer language” used in texts or social media networks. When I was in school, it was a privilege to use a computer or to even use any form of technology. However, I like that students today are computer literate coming into grade school because it makes it easy to introduce Web 2.0 tools that they can easily utilize.

Our current education system is failing our students when it comes to too much pressure on testing. I do not remember being in grade-school and having the pressure that students today have on assessments. When my students come into third grade, the first thing parents and students always anticipate is the state exam third graders are required to take. I feel that because of this it makes it very difficult for teachers to focus on critical thinking/problem solving skills. The arts are pushed to the side or sometimes even removed from the curriculum. In effect students are being punished. Teachers are almost forced to “teach to the test” so that their students can pass state mandated exams. Of course, there are also things that I see our education system advancing in. The constant push in technology use for the classrooms is really benefiting our students so that they can have 21st century skills they need for future jobs. Last year, I realized that simply incorporating technology is not going to make our students critical thinkers and problem solvers. However, many Web 2.0 tools if used correctly can benefit our students greatly when it comes to problem solving skills and expressing creativity.