Teacher Panel

I really enjoyed the teacher panel Monday night. I felt it was a great way to gain insight into the teaching world and learn about what issues I will face as a future teacher. I was shocked to hear that the students at North Winn have personal laptops. Schools have changed significantly in just the three years that I’ve been out of high school. I was even more surprised to hear how reliant students have become on their laptops and the Internet. I find he fact that students would rather spend time on computers than outdoors playing and running around to be somewhat appalling and sad.

How are computers and technology affecting students developmentally? Can students who spend so much time on their computers develop socio-emotionally? Time spent on the computer takes away from time spent interacting with peers. Such interactions are crucial for self-esteem and success. Furthermore, time spent exploring the outdoors, imagining, and playing are vital for growth and development. Are students’ creative capacities and social abilities stunted by technology? And if so, how can teachers moderate this in the classroom?

Another thought that came to mind was whether or not a correlation exists between technology dependent students and a lack of nurture. Are children allowed too much independence and too little structure and are left to entertain themselves as please. Do students with more involved parents rely less on technology? These questions all beckon further reflection and time to see how these current students progress and succeed as adults.

All in all, I found the teacher panel very interesting and thought provoking. It raised issues I was not aware of and left me pondering my future.

Paperclips

The documentary Paperclips was a touching story of the life changing experiences that can occur in a classroom. What started out as a small school project to teach students about diversity quickly became a large endeavor, which reached beyond the small Tennessee classroom to touch the lives of people all over the world. Until watching this movie, I had never encountered or heard of such a life changing classroom experience. As one pursuing a teaching career, I was inspired and motivated by this example. I had underestimated the impact school can have on the lives of the students as well as all those involved.

The students of this small Tennessee town were able to hear first hand the accounts of Holocaust survivors. What an experience! I cannot imagine how incredible such an experience would have been. History came to life as the students heard the first hand accounts of the sorrow and survival. I'm sure these students will carry a piece of this experience with them throughout their lives. All because one student wanted to know what six million looked like.