Additional Assignments #2

How Kids Teach Themselves by Sugata Mitra

This video was about the Hole in the Wall experiment by Sugata Mitra and I found it encouraging and interesting. I think motivated learners, even children, can teach themselves. All that is necessary to for children to teach themselves is a way of getting and gathering information and they will have the natural desire to figure out how to operate and learn. The same applies for adults.

Computers play a huge role in the process because one can find unlimited information in one simple and easy to use location. Problems, questions or multiple problems or questions play an important role. Without questions or problems I don't believe the children would have a desire to learn.

You motivate someone to learn by providing motivation and encouragement such as the "granny cloud" Sugata Mitra uses. Having someone support the children will motivate them to learn more. People that are not motivated can still learn but I think they are limited to the amount of information they will obtain. As Sugata Mitra said, children leaning in groups communicated and researched together, learning more.

I teach myself something new everyday. The internet / technology is my teacher. There is such a vast array of information available at the click of a button that it is hard not to want to learn more.

A teacher plays a huge role in learning. Children still need the motivation. If not, the granny cloud would not be needed or used. Children can learn on their own but with the motivation and guidance from a teacher they are encouraged to learn more.

I know the importance of technology and how easy it is to use. I have also realized that children have an alarming sense to gain knowledge.

I think teachers should keep embracing technology. Our children have proved that they can teach themselves using it. It should be our job to guide them and teach them using these amazing tools. We can enhance their knowledge and they seem to respond well to it.

I went to my son's PTO meeting earlier this year and noticed they do all of the announcements to parents via the Promethean boards that are located in everyone classroom. The principal went over the results of the last few years of testing scores. Prior to the daily use of the Promethean boards the test scores were relatively low. After using the Promethean boards and teachers encouraging the interaction the tests scores rose incredibly high. Most of the scores had reached an all time high. Is it coincidence?