Response to Tony Wagner

When I hear the term "obsolete", I think of having nothing. Nothing to provide for anyone or anything...no potential. Just nothing. Tony is trying to say that we have nothing to provide...or he just used "obsolete" for lack of a better word. But our education system provides our students much more than nothing, so I must respectfully disagree with Tony's quote. It is true that a lot of our schools are old, lack appropriate furnishings, are goverment ruled, poor, and contain some underqualified employees. That being said,  I can name many businesses, churches, hospitals, and other career paths that are faced with these same problems. The difference is that we hold in our hands the fate of our children; if they are not properly educated, they will not be competitive in our growing world. I think that many administrators, politians, and educators alike have realized this, though, and are working hard to change the curriculum, environment, and reputation of America's education. This is not obsolete. I, as well as every other College of Education student at Butler, am surrounded by educators who live to provide a good education and work very hard to show exceptional teaching. I do not think that education is obsolete...it will never be if we continue to have passionate adminitrators and teachers on our side. Do I think it needs improvement? YES. The government must start either electing people who know what they are talking about to make decisions, or they need to let the schools do what they know best (better than the politicians) and that is to educate youth. The teachers who are stuck in their ways and do not want to accept the change in education (which includes technology and new ideas in strategies and education) should leave. Schools need to hire educators who are willing to stay up to date with new teaching strategies, develop and understading for the competitive environment when chosing universityies and jobs, and strive to have their students achieve greatness. They must be open minded enough to see that a student can do whatever he or she is passionate about , as long as they put a lot of love and hard work into it. They must facilitate that passion and promote dedication. I know teachers who live like this. I know teachers who love their students like they do their own children. That is not obsolete. So I'm sorry, Tony, but you are wrong. Just like the economy, America's education is in a period of low. But it will gain momentum again and progressive education will succeed. I just know it.

Be Blessed,

Karly

My Experience with Ted.Com

I was really excited when we got this assignment because I love short films! I chose "The Divided Brain" because I find the brain and the way it works very interesting. I was also drawn in by the fact that it was a cartoon. It discussed the shifting of the sides of the brain in not only humans, but animals as well. He explains that the two sides of the brain do not each have SPECIFIC roles to help the body function, contrary to popular belief. The sides of the brain work together so that the body can see, think, and feel emotion. The left and right brain do differ, however, in memory. The right brain retains broad aspects of memory, while the left brain details of memory. Our frontal lobe makes us different from animals because we have the ability to analyze and empathize. We use these "tools" to connect with others in ways other than primal needs and protection. He also believes, in opposition of Daniel Pink, that the hemispheres of the brain must work together for both creativity and reasoning. I found this very interesting because it has been very popular for people to explain themselves as a "left-brained" or "right-brained" person. I guess they just mean "I use my brain"? haha The most profound message in this video, for me, was when the narrator spoke of a "paradoxical world" where we live the opposite of what we believe. He thinks that we must stop relying upon the left brain and use more of the right. But really...we should use both together...right? That way no side becomes dominant over the other.
I can use these ideas in my classroom to promote a more productive and interpersonal environment. If I look at the world through my "right brain", then I can stop focusing on strictly the rules and begin building and fostering meaningful relationships with my class, and promote the same with peer to peer relationships. I can also end the trend, for lack of a better word, of using "left brain" and "right brain" to explain learning styles and focus more upon Gardner's learning styles.
I found the narrator very interesting and am pursuing one of his books. So thank you, Prof. Wright, for this assignment! It has been very engaging and informative.