Reflections on Introduction to A Flickering Mind
First off, I really like Oppenheimer's style of writing. His use of concrete examples, vivid diction and clear sentence structure make this a compelling and pleasurable read. I think the first two examples Oppenheimer relays perfectly demonstrate the incredible opportunity and the awesome danger of technology in the classroom. The students who topped the paid political pundits made me consider what kids can do when educators model not just using technology but adhering to a research plan and a strong work ethic. The best part of that examples is that students, who are often decried for not knowing how to work hard, made the adults look lazy and uninformed. The problem with the preventing and the "thin academics" seems to be that the project was just the project. There was no authentic audience or purpose other than rehashing information. Students love the bells and whistles of PowerPoint and they will, if allowed, spend weeks customizing animations, importing photos and making their presentations virtual collages. One of the most successful uses of PowerPoint I have taught involves in some part presenting their "poetry identity" to their classmates, a project which allows students to add themselves and their voice to their presentation.
One other concern I have that Oppenheimer alludes to is that the prevalence of technology in the classroom, "shortchanges students...capacity to observe and think critically." Embedded in that idea, I believe, is my concern for the lack of focus on critical literacy skills. I honestly believe that creating solid readers and writers who feel comfortable communicating with words has to be one of the most important focuses of education. At my school, students are given so many opportunities to research online but very few teachers help students read, understand, use and integrate what they find on the internet or any number of online subscriptions.
Finally, my only dispute with Oppenheimer's introduction is his sense, I think, that this "flickering mind" is soley the fault of educators. Students arrive in kindergarten now with an immense exposure to educational videos, television...leap frogs; I wonder if he will address the world outside the classroom in coming pages?
Links: This link article reminded me of Oppenheimer's first example of the awesome opportunity of technology:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/22/education/22students.html
This seemed like something I might try, an online international literary magazine:
http://www.iearn.org/avision/
First off, I really like Oppenheimer's style of writing. His use of concrete examples, vivid diction and clear sentence structure make this a compelling and pleasurable read. I think the first two examples Oppenheimer relays perfectly demonstrate the incredible opportunity and the awesome danger of technology in the classroom. The students who topped the paid political pundits made me consider what kids can do when educators model not just using technology but adhering to a research plan and a strong work ethic. The best part of that examples is that students, who are often decried for not knowing how to work hard, made the adults look lazy and uninformed. The problem with the preventing and the "thin academics" seems to be that the project was just the project. There was no authentic audience or purpose other than rehashing information. Students love the bells and whistles of PowerPoint and they will, if allowed, spend weeks customizing animations, importing photos and making their presentations virtual collages. One of the most successful uses of PowerPoint I have taught involves in some part presenting their "poetry identity" to their classmates, a project which allows students to add themselves and their voice to their presentation.
One other concern I have that Oppenheimer alludes to is that the prevalence of technology in the classroom, "shortchanges students...capacity to observe and think critically." Embedded in that idea, I believe, is my concern for the lack of focus on critical literacy skills. I honestly believe that creating solid readers and writers who feel comfortable communicating with words has to be one of the most important focuses of education. At my school, students are given so many opportunities to research online but very few teachers help students read, understand, use and integrate what they find on the internet or any number of online subscriptions.
Finally, my only dispute with Oppenheimer's introduction is his sense, I think, that this "flickering mind" is soley the fault of educators. Students arrive in kindergarten now with an immense exposure to educational videos, television...leap frogs; I wonder if he will address the world outside the classroom in coming pages?
Links: This link article reminded me of Oppenheimer's first example of the awesome opportunity of technology:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/22/education/22students.html
This seemed like something I might try, an online international literary magazine:
http://www.iearn.org/avision/
posted by Mary at 9:58 AM
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