Blog Assignment #4

1. Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff. Please? by Scott McLeod
Mr. McLeod has presented the negatives as reasons why students and children alike should not have technology pushed into them by parents, teacher, administrators, and members of the board. In the end, he says that he is introducing technology to his children. In this case, his children not only would be technologically educated but also would be therefore better prepared for the world of technology that we are sending them out into. I think that he introduced the topic in a great way. He drew in his readers by describing the dark side of technology and turned them for a loop in the end. This most certainly shares the point of view of those who are against technology education and introduces the fault in their thinking in the long run.
Scott McLeod is an Associate Professor of Educational Administration at Iowa State, the Director of the Center forthe Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education (CASTLE), and co-creator of the Did You Know? videos. He has a website with tons of information in the field of technology and education: http://scottmcleod.net.

2. The iSchool Initiative.
The basic concept of the iSchool Initiative is to equip students with a piece of technology that can act as a multifunction tool with a wide variety of applications which will act a primary resource for students. The tool will act as their books, study instruments, and much more. Students can receive and turn in assignments via this device. They could also record lectures for themselves or others. The device can be used as a research tool. It will be restricted so that it can only be used for educational purposes. The concept is applicable for educators as well. It can act as an easily portable way to keep track of the class curriculum, grades, assignments, etc. Parents too can benefit from the device. Parents could monitor their children's assignments, studying, and grades from any computer. The device will save money and the environment. As before mentioned, this one device will replace books, calculators, etc. There will be no need to print assignments, syllabuses, etc.
I personally think that the device would be great. Apply the ability to switch between a natural touch screen and a stylus screen so the student can write on it as he or she would a piece a paper with a pencil, and they are all set. It would be great for distance students and student who are otherwise incapable to attend classes regularly.

3. The Lost Generation
I feel that the downward spiral described in this presentation is evident as already in our mists. People work hard to made money. They put the money towards building businesses bigger and more powerful to make more money. Parents have children as if it was something on their "To Do List" that simply had to be checked off. Parents use their children for PR and photo-ups. It is as if having children makes them a more rounded out person. In a society of credentialism, people work to be better on paper instead of working to be better in real life. Who cares if you have a PhD if you are only willing to help those who don't need your help? Is being a doctor of a dying person too much of a risk when you want to keep a clean mortality rate?  Thank you for donating millions so that the wealthy can increase their pay checks. We need to look at our lives from an external point of view and see ourselves for who and what we really are. Maybe then the world will stop revolving around a special few.
Secondly, I feel that the presentation style used was extremely effective at captivating the audience and introducing the problem. The style draws the viewer in and makes the viewer really think about how little things make the big difference. It also avoids attacking people who fit into the category drawn out. A variety of people can relate to the presentation without being too personal. It also shows how the world's view can be made better. The positive side can draw people to change.

4. Eric Whitaker's Virtual Choir
First, I just want to say that I want to know the method of bringing the video feeds together. Were all of the people working together in a sort of live video chat? Were they all done separately and later brought together? Either way, it is amazing. If they worked together, it shows the vast collaboration capabilities. If done separately, it shows not only a common interest but also a great use of video software. To compress the feeds and pin them precisely is an exceedingly stressing task made capable only with today's programs and technology. A masterpiece either way.