Teacher Poll

Below is a poll of how you feel about your teachers/professors both past and present. If you have suggestions for more responses please don't hesitate to post comments.





Thank You,

A.J. Washington

The Future Of Work

Response: Back in high school, during my junior and senior year our business teacher saw the future of our communication world and wanted to prepare us for how we will exchange information amongst ourselves and others. She allowed us to have our cell phones on our desks and required us to go to computer labs atleast two out of five days of class. Most of the teachers saw this as a joke and scoffed at the idea of us students actually learning something. To those mentioned teachers' disbelief our attention was captured and our learning was almost automatic because what wasn't seen was that our teacher always let us know that blogs, extensive and effecient research(.org, .gov, etc.), and celluar communication will help you become what businesses want, versatile. In our blogs we were required to talk about issues that we researched on websites she provided for us and had us form group discussions(blog and in-person) to further speak on these issues. As we continued on through the year she then required the groups prepare a multimedia video to advertise a product which required us to come together(as much as we could) and delegate duties amongst ourselves. To say that six short years ago one teacher had the courage to adapt to what's coming and to make sure her students are atleast exposed to this new wave is a great indicator of her character and I for one appreciate her for it. As for the future of my work I may not know what is to come but I atleast I will be ready.

A.J. Washington

Double Entry Journal # 1

Quote: "An institutional grudge match with the young can sabotage an entire culture."- Virginia Heffernan

Response: Finally, someone who understands the overall idea of technological advancement on the education level. I can't count how many times a teacher has commented, removed someone, or even failed a student for interaction with their cellular device, ipods/ ipads, laptops,etc. I understand we students use them inappropriately and that should be dealt with under the penalty of disrupting class, however this could be a byproduct of a lack of interesting content being presented, or the presentation itself. My solution bring and embrace the latest technology for your student audience. I find myself in a battle to stay awake with this "old school" stand in front of the class and lecture type of teaching and I think that times are changing, therefore so should teaching styles. Ms. Heffernan's quote that I cited was to my opinion a statement of our current state of education and this war of cultures can ruin young minds in the future due to fear of the unknown. My solution embrace the unknown if it better prepares the student.

Thank you,

A.J. Washington

This video was published in 2010 for the REDU petition to help teachers better prepare students with the help of more technological resources:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVA-QnewmmQ



Sources:

Heffernan, V. (2011). Education needs a digital-age upgrade. The New York Times: Opinionator, Retrieved from http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/education-needs-a-digital-age-upgrade/?hp

REDU. (2010). Let's redu [Theater]. Available from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVA-QnewmmQ

Introduction

Hello,

My name is A.J. Washington and I am from Bridgeport, WV about 15 minutes south of Fairmont State University. I am 22 years old in pursuit of my second degree from the university in the field of Business and Computer Science Secondary Education. Hopefully in the next two years I will be on my way to becoming a middle school or high school teacher who will be somewhat of a trend-setter to my colleagues in the molding of young minds. I plan to use many of the latest technology whatever it may be at the time in my classroom to better prepare students for the world that awaits them and to encourage them to welcome it with open arms. I want to give students scenarios and collaborative projects to not only enhance their hands-on learning but to simulate what will more than likely happen to them in their workplace. While doing this I hope to let them know that new technology may seem scary but in this world adaptation is the best ingredient for success. Thank you for your time!

A.J.