This week in teacher and technology we talked about the amount of time kids are exposed to media. Kids are exposed to almost 11 hours of media each day. I was shocked by this number. 11 hours every day, outrageous! But the more I began to think about my day. The amount of time I spend on my phone (texting, on Facebook, and making phone calls), on the computer, watching T.V., listening to music, and watching movies I realize that the amount of time spent multi-tasking between medias can definitely add up.
The contradiction between the two teachers in the documentary was very surprising. One didn’t use any technology in her classroom while in the other class every student had a computer. My first reaction to the class with a computer for every student was I really wish I had gone to a school like that and I hope I can teach in a school that has that much technology available to the students. What did surprise me was the teacher’s view on cheating. Finding information from websites is useful for assignment, but to not cite it and to pass it off as your own work isn’t acceptable.
Oh spark notes, loved this website as a student but now as a teacher I am a little unsure of it. It is a useful site to get information and a stepping stone for students to understand one interpretation of a text. Spark notes should not be used as the primary source, as the student in the documentary did. I did find his comment that no one reads books anymore they just spark note it made me both laugh and feel really depressed.
Looking forward to the guest speaker next week!
Dear Kate,
ReplyDeleteI was also shocked with the amount of time that students spend on media each day! I could not believe it! I also find it important for students to be exposed to different types of technology and that they are able to use them in the classroom, like the class where every student had a computer. I think with computers or iPads for every student the possibilities are endless. I feel more students would be engaged as they are used to using such technologies everyday. I do however, understand that the main issue is funding, and I hope that at some point in my teaching career there will be the funding for iPads for students in school.
Hi Kate,
ReplyDeleteI too was shocked when I saw how much time children are spending using technology these days. I do not consider myself a technology person, however I am sure if I added up the time spent on my phone, watching tv and using my computer it would probably surprise me. Most of the time I spend on my computer is to complete homework. Therefore, when I heard the student in the video saying that homework took away from his xbox time I was a little shocked!
I like that you mentioned the spark notes topic as well. I remember using spark notes to help clarify some of the readings I did in high school, but like you said it should not be used as a primary source in place of the original book.
Guess it is a good thing that issues like these are brought to our attention now so we are aware of them for the future.
Hey Kate,
ReplyDeleteThe Sparks Note segment of that documentary amused me! I was that student. I never read a book in high school, sad to say it. However, I did go back to re-read all of those novels, including Shakespeare. Probably due to a guilty conscience!
Either way, I can see both sides to what the students are saying. I understand why they feel the need to just Sparks Note it: No Time, No Interest, Who Cares About a Really Old Dead Guy?! Etc. I just hope that they decide to go back and read the novels like I did. There is nothing in the world like the feeling of diving into a good book and letting your imagination wonder. And no, I do not believe an iPad delivers the same effect as a good ol' paperback!
As teachers we need to find a way to make reading more appreciated and valued by our students.
Malorie