Blog Post #10

Im a Papermate Im a Ticonderoga

I honestly have never heard of a Ticonderoga before seeing this cartoon picture so I googled it. I knew it had to do with some kind of supplies or something because I had heard of papermate before and knew that was a type of pencil. Well after I googled it I found out that Ticonderoga is also a type of wooden pencil but a more expensive pencil. After looking at the picture, I assume Ticonderoga is better and more expensive and the ‘hipsters’ must only use Ticonderoga’s because it is more expensive and the best. After researching and reading John T. Spencer’s blog comments I figured out that this picture goes deeper than just a preference of a wooden pencil. He is describing the relationship between a PC and a MAC in the cartoon picture. The PC is the Papermate and the Mac is the Ticonderoga. The papermate is less costly than the Ticonderoga thus; the PC is less costly than the MAC. This is saying “you get what you pay for” and when it comes to technology that saying is so true!

Why were your kids playing?

In this post by Mr. Spencer, I think he is trying to make a point of instructive/learning games in the classroom using technology. Mr. Spencer talks about the strategy of using advanced simulation as one if his teaching techniques to teach the students everyday life skills. He relates this to doctors and soldiers how they use this type of learning to perform their important daily skills. The principal in this conversation was not happy about the games used in the classroom and reminded Mr. Spencer that he needed to follow the state based methods of learning, this shows you right here that the principal is not up to-date on her technology and still has her old fashion teaching styles. I think the principal over reacted about the games being in the classroom. I don’t think the principal should have worried about it because the games are engaging and helping our students learn, there should be no reason to complain about this!

Don't teach your kids this stuff, Please?

I love Dr. McLeods irony in this post. The point he is trying to make in this post is that you are completely insane to not allow your kids express themselves through technology. There are many parents and teachers out in the world that shelter their children or students from this. Truthfully, I think it delays their learning experience. Children should be allowed to express themselves with their classmates and teachers freely. If we do not allow them to do this, how will we know what their potential is? I think Dr. McLeod makes a wonderful approach to this subject in the way he worded his post. It just sounds extremely ridiculous to not allow our children/students the option to explore and learn with the technology that is available to them right now because it will help them with their learning experience and also in life because you have to know technology these days.

Who Is Dr. Scott McLeod?

There are many wonderful things to know about Dr. Scott McLeod. He currently serves as the Director of Innovation for Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency 8. He was a co-creator of the wildly popular video series, Did You Know? (Shift Happens). Dr. McLeod also is the Founding Director of the UCEA Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education. He has also received several national awards for his technology leadership work. He also blogs frequently about technology leadership issues and he also just completed his first book, What School Leaders Need to Know about Digital Technologies and Social Media.Dr. McLeod is a very successful man with great knowledge! I enjoyed reading his post and comments and I plan to continue reading them!