Recently, students at The University of Denver produced a video parodying the integration of technology into the classroom. Yesterday's The Chronicle of Higher Education carried an article about the creation of this video and embedded the video into the article. Check out the article in Wired Campus: "Class Produces Parody of 'The Office' to Highlight Challenges of Teaching With Technology." Let us know what you think of the content of the parody, the remarks found in the article, and blog postings following the article.I've embedded the video here in event that you want to view it before reading the article. Enjoy! Remember the video is a rendition of students' parodying teaching with technology. What solutions can you bring away from their parody? Why do you think the students invested time in making the video? Why would the prestigious, well-read The Chronicle of Higher Education include an article of this kind and the video parody? Why do you think a decision was made to not only report that students made the video, but to also post the video?
2 comments:
This was a very interesting article and video that students from the University of Denver put together. I think that both professors and students would benefit from viewing this video. We live in a time where students graduating from college will be competing with students from around the world for prestigious jobs in the global marketplace. A very important component to this equation in being very marketable, is to be up to date with understanding how to use the newest technology. It is the professor's responsibility to provide opportunities, assignments, and activities for students to better understand the ever changing technology in our society. Regardless of the content the professor teaches, it is essential that they somehow incorporate the use of technology in their instruction. Therefore, this video is a "reality check" so to speak. It encourages professors to take action and understand what their role is in the importance of educating students using technology as a resource tool in the classroom. It also sends a clear message to students telling them that they have the responsibility to advocate for their learning. Instead of sitting in the back of the class texting or browsing on the home page of Facebook, students should tell their teachers what they want to learn and how they think this can be achieved with the use of technology. These are the reasons, in my opinion of why the highly esteemed Chronicle of Higher Education chose to include this article. While it could be deemed as somewhat controversial, everyone needs to embrace the notion that as we embark on the 21st century, students are going to be required to have advanced skills in the area of technology. The professor thus needs to be the guide through this new age of technology.
In contrast to Kate, I was not really impressed with the video. I also have never watched the Office so I may not have gotten some of their points due to that.
The video seemed to make a better argument for teachers to be on top of their craft. Teachers need to be able to engage students, practice lessons ahead of time so technology glitches are at a minimum and not use something they are not comfortable with just for the sake of using technology in the classroom.
I do think it works great as a conversation started for teachers to discuss technology in the classroom after watching it. Over all, still not impressed.
Post a Comment