While watching this video, one of the things that really stuck out to me was the number of Google searches this month: 2.7 billion! Google is always my first stop when I have a question and I use it frequently as an easy way to find websites when I do not know the exact address. The video asks where did we go for answers before Google? Although I had access to a computer and the Internet for most of my school career, I do remember being in grade school and using an encyclopedia to find information on various subjects. Do people still buy sets of encyclopedias? I would think not so much.
I like that the video focuses on global connectivity and the importance of evolving with the times. In a foreign language classroom this is especially appropriate as there are so many resources on the web that can be used to help connect a class with authentic culture of the target language. During one of my student teaching placements last year, I was able to do many Internet-based activities in class with the students because we had access to laptops. This completely changed the way I taught certain topics as compared with the way I taught in a school that did not have technology readily available in the classroom. This video has a great message in that we need to focus on how we are preparing our students to learn and be successful in the 21st century.
Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteI'm sure we would all benefit from hearing more about how you used the Internet in your student teaching. Perhaps in a post, you could describe what you did as well as the successes or failures you encountered.
Dr. Burgos