Post 3: Reflections on "Shift Happens" and "Vision 2011: Technology's Impact on Education"

A few significant statistics from "Shift Happens":

1. If facebook users were citizens of a country, it would be the third largest country behind (1) China and (2) India
2. facebook tops google for weekly traffic in the US
3. Youtube is the second largest search engine in the world
4. The computer in your cell phone today is a million times cheaper and a thousand times more powerful and about a hundred thousand times smaller (than the one computer at MIT in 1965)...
   

The clearest message both of these videos present is: our world is rapidly and fundamentally changing and technology is more and more important as these changes occur. We have Youtube, facebook, google, twitter, personal computers, and computers in our cell phones. Social Media is the most popular use of the internet. As an educator, it is not just helpful or ideal, but necessary, to incorporate technology into the classroom. Educators must remain up to date with technology as it evolves to prepare students for their future. Educators should teach students how to use technological tools and help the students build confidence that they can use such tools, too. The speaker in "Vision 2011" focused on using technology to connect, create content, communicate, and collaborate. For example, using google docs and blogs in classrooms help students connect, create content, communicate, and collaborate. Computers are so accessible and prevalent that we need to utilize them in lessons. Teaching students with technology will empower our students to succeed in today's tech world, and it will enable them to continue to learn and develop skills that will prepare them for their futures.

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