Almost done!!

My “Big Question” I posed in Module 1 was:
Is there any one way to teach that is more successful than another or is it entirely dependant upon your specific classroom situation?
After taking this class, I learned that there is certainly not one correct way to teach. However, some approaches may be more successful than others. Like we discussed in Module 3, a constructivist would find that students who build on prior knowledge will successfully learn new material. There are a few concepts and ideas to teaching that are universal, but many concepts are not. Even a universal concept such as rewards and punishment would have to be varied depending on a specific student and/or classroom situation. The only way I think this class could be redesigned to better meet the needs of my question would be to briefly take a look at each grade level. If I could understand the different basic needs of children at a certain age or better understand where they are in their development I believe I would be able to know more about what method of teaching would be most appropriate.
Following that train of thought, the video “Living their Lives Essentially Online” discussed what children at certain ages were doing online. A 13 year-old boy was on Myspace socializing while his 7 year-old brother was playing games on Club Penguin downstairs. This also plays into my curiosity of at what age do students learn or at what stage are they technologically.
“Evolution in Classrooms and Social Life” also discussed how technology plays a role in teenager’s lives. A high school teacher, Steve Maher, referred to teachers as having to be “entertainers” to their students. He also stated that “walking into a classroom without technology is like walking into a desert”. Even here at Marquette, it is rare to find a student who does not personally own their own computer. Adolescents are incredibly technologically advanced compared even compared to our parent’s generation. One teacher had been teaching for decades and she had tried to hold onto the traditional classroom but she realized that it was crucial to have technology nowadays. Technology is easier for students as it is not only a part of our education, but a main aspect of our social life. Another teacher noted that people are becoming more comfortable being more public than in the past. Each student who has a Myspace or Facebook has a profile listing a myriad of information about themselves.
This was a major issue that was found in “Self expression, trying on new identities”. One girl said that she was conversing with a stranger online and he had asked her to send him pictures with minimal clothing on, and she did it because to her it was “just a picture” and it was “something to do”. Another young girl, age 15, posted mild pornography of herself in order to erase the image she had previously had. It was the concept that people can now create a digital representation of themselves, information being true or not. People can display identities how we so chose, even creating new identities online.
I was surprised that I was shocked watching these videos. I never really pay attention to how large of a role technology plays in my everyday life until it is brought to my attention by some outside source. Facebook, especially in college, seems ever so important to students as it is a way to socialize with friends and stay in touch with old friends from home. We use technology nearly everyday and in nearly every class…we are completely consumed by it. I believe it is crucial for teachers to understand this concept and be aware of the role it is playing in their student’s lives.