Blog Assignment #3

Did You Know? 3.0
By: Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod

It is often wondered by scientists and theologians alike how it is mankind came to evolve at a considerably slow rate for hundreds of thousands of years then suddenly began a process of rapid advancement that transformed us from the primitive wandering groups of people to the complex technologically endowed beings we are today. Many of these scientists and theologians argue this process has been facilitated by Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection, which is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as the preferential survival and reproduction of organisms better adapted to their environment.  In their video, Did You Know? 3.0, Karl Fisch and Scott Mcleod feature examples of how technology has furthered this rapid progress in a relatively short period of time considering the long history of organic life on Earth.  This expansion of human being's technological assets has begun to grow exponentially in time spans before now were unfathomable.  It is predicted in the year 2013 a supercomputer will be built that exceeds the computational capabilities of the human brain and in 2049 one that exceeds that of the entire human  species.  This is a dangerous idea to me.

 Giving what we are taught in science classes about natural selection, nature also eliminates anatomical structures no longer needed or used for survival rendering them a vestigial structure.  Our appendix and wisdom teeth are two among many examples of these organs that were once required for survival whose functions dissipated, some not even born possessing them,  with the technological advances seen in the human race.  If it is true a super computer will have the computational capabilities of the entire human race, I have to wonder what will become of the human brain. The more and more we rely on computers, the less brain power we possess will be exerted.  Over time our brains will regress and no longer be able to function without the assistance of a computer.While this premise is wildly exaggerated, it is one to consider a possibility.  While computers and the technology that is brought with them is valued in the world, they should be used with in reason.  

Mr. Winkle Wakes

In 1819 Washington Irving published the classic short story Rip Van Winkle.  In this piece of literature a beloved townsman living just years before The American Revolutionary War, wanders into the mountains escaping his wife who constantly chastises him for his laziness.  On his stroll through the woods, Rip Van Winkle comes upon a group of men dressed in antique clothing bowling and drinking liquor.  Upon consuming the beverage, Winkle falls asleep and awakens what is seemingly the next morning.  Upon his arrival to town he discovers his wife and dear friends have demised; the buildings and structures were much larger and more abundant; and, having not known about the war with England, Rip is apprehended when he proclaims his loyalty to King George III who has since been replaced by President George Washington.  Though familiarity of land marks and old towns men, It is eventually discovered Rip had been asleep for twenty-years and is taken in my his daughter.  His tale begins to be shared by other men henpecked by their wives wishing they had Winkle's good fortune.  Analogous to this short story is a modern day spin on the tale in the video "Mr. Winkle Wakes".  Having slept for a hundred years, the Mr. Winkle in this correlation awakes to become bombarded with scenes of the latest technology being used.  Confused and scared by all the changes that had occurred, he finds something that is familiar to him, a school building.  He was comforted to find that inside the building the children were using paper and pencils while a computer sat dusty in a corner.  This video's resemblance to the short story continues a theme of change with continuity and preservation of tradition.  When first viewed, it is thought the purpose behind this video is to illustrate the short comings of the American educational system.  With images of a dusty computer in the corner and the children writing rather than typing gives one the idea that schools either are not advanced enough for this technology or do not have the funding.  Upon a second viewing, it is seen that the rationale behind "Mr. Winkle Wakes" is that our use of technology needs to be balanced.  Although wrenching radical changes are sometimes necessary in order to move society forward, such changes should not eradicate old ways and traditions entirely.

Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity

Sir Ken Robinson is an international leader in the development of creativity, innovation and human potential.  Among his many accolades, Sir Robinson along with three others stood as international advisers to Singapore in their work in becoming the creative hub of South East Asia.  His lecture starts off almost poking fun at teachers, insinuating that they are boring and have a loathsome career.  He continues to demonstrate that the education field no longer needs to continue to carry this stereotype and provides ideas to allow this to happen.  He believes that intelligence is diverse, dynamic, and distinct.

 Every individual is unique, therefore the manner in which he or she is educated must be unique as well; different methods work for different people.  This is the problem Sir Robinson feels is seen in the education system world wide.  Decades ago a particular teaching method which met the demands of society for that time was mandated and made uniform in nearly every country.  School systems are now reluctant to move away from this style and continue to place demands on children who are otherwise intelligent, but learn differently than others.  As a result, children do not meet these standards and are considered to have a learning disorder.  It is this same system that views failure and being wrong is unacceptable and demands nothing less than perfection.  According to Sir Robinson, it is this ideology that has inhibited the creativity in persons of all ages.  Instead, teachers need to find creative ways that hold a child's interest in particular subjects and be flexible with each individual child.  Once a teacher unbridles his or her own creativity in themselves, they are then better armed to elicit the creativity Sir Robinson believes every child is born with.

Cecilia Gault Interviews Sir Ken Robinson

Why do other, less rich and productive countries, do so much better with education?  This question was asked by  Cecilia Gault, a student reporter from Finland for the Scholastic Kids Press Corps.  Why is it that the dropout rate in Cecilia's native country of Finland is only less than 1 percent, while that of the United State's is a soaring 25 percent?   Her question began to be answered when she interviewed Sir Ken Robinson after a panel discussion in which he participated on studying abroad. He explained to Cecilia that three myths to creativity existed.  One that only certain people are creative; second, creativity is only about certain things; and lastly, there is nothing anyone can do about the lack of creativity, you are either born with or without it.

Thoughts Sir Robinson was quick to extinguish by reassuring the young reporter that anybody could be taught to be creative despite age or background.  One other highly intuitive question Sir Robinson was asked by Cecilia was what his definition of intelligence.  While he made certain the fact many psychologists have attempted to agree on such a definition was emphasized, his own description of intelligence is the ability to solve problems and understanding other people.  The key to understanding people is putting oneself in other's shoes and experiencing life from their perspective.  While America is among the wealthier nations in the world, the poverty instance in our country is greater than other developed yet less financially stable countries.  The opportunity to travel to other countries and immerse oneself in a diverse culture is not at an abundance of people's disposal.  It is important that teachers take time to enrich their own lives by traveling and becoming familiar with a number of diverse cultures, then finding ways to incorporate their experiences into the classroom.  This way, student's world's enlarge and creativity takes over.

Harness Your Student's Digital Smarts

In a distinctive classroom setting, teacher Vicki Davis is pioneering an unconventional technique to reach students in whole new ways.  Centered in a rural community in Georgia, Davis' students are apart of a much larger classroom than the one in which they sit.  Without even leaving town, students are participating in collaborative efforts with international students.  Aside from acquiring technological expertise, students are forced to not only overcome obstacles forged by distance, but also language barriers.  By being engaged in collaborative projects with students from all over the world, the individual's lives in Vicki Davis' class are enhanced largely with an awareness of how big and diverse the world is.  Through video chats a distinct amount of a particular culture is bound to bleed through the lines and cross over into this otherwise small rural town.  The benefits are endless, communication skills, teamwork, and most importantly and ability to see past differences and respect others for those differences.  The greatest aspect of Vicki Davis' classroom is the ability students have to be responsible for their education.  This is beneficial for teacher and student alike.  Teaching is a mutual process, as Davis explained she learned from the students rather than her teaching them. I do not believe just facts or information is the sole entity to be acquired in these cases, teachers gain life lessons from their students when they take control (in a manner of speaking of course) of the class room.