Behaviorism (Melissa Standridge)

I believe that Mrs. Standridge did a good job preparing this article, she explained in detail all the things that someone would need to know, if the knew nothing at all about behaviorism. She was very detailed in explaining the positive and negative reinforcements, also how the educational system can use behaviorism to manipulate your children. I agree with the majority of the things in this article but I have a hard time with people comparing children to rats, you should not have to manipulate children into acting the right way. As an educator if you do your job correctly with some enthusiasm and excitement, then kids will pay attention and not act out, but if you the same old mono-tone math teacher that sounds like Ben Stein then kids will get board and find something to get into. An electric atmosphere in the classroom should be all the positive reinforcement are children need. They alzso talk about Modeling, this would fall into the same category as what I explained earlier, children aquire traits from observing the people around them the most at a early age, with more excited teachers and exicting classrooms then children to will become more excited to be in the classroom. As for shaping and cueing all educators are taught to do these things and as long as you put forth energy in your lessons then children will respond the way you want them to. You are in control of the classroom, if you act like a sheep hearder then your students will act like sheep and aggervate you all day, but if you act like a rock star then they will treat you like one and hang on your every word.

Digital Natives vs Digital Immigrants

After reading the three articles,(Digital Natives,Digital Immigrants, Do They Really Think Differently?, Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants: Some Thoughts from the Generation Gap.) I would have to say that I agree with some of the things said in these articles but for the most part I didn't care for them. I thought that the third article/review had some good points. First, I agree that teachers do need to become more technologically educated, but it is my thought that the teacher should be the one who chooses when to use the technology and when not to use it. A teacher must know who their students are, if none of your students can go home and use a computer then there is not much sense in spending a lot of time on one. I thought that the Web Quest idea was good, but can your students do them outside of class. The statement I agreed with the most was, "it is the teacher's responsibility to structure and support the students' learning experience." In contrast with the other articles, it is the duty of a teacher to become an effective teacher and find ways to enlighten their students, it is not the job of a computer or a machine to teach the young people today. The statement that, "Today's students are no longer the people our educational system was designed to teach." is an absolute asinine statement. Anyone who has been in a public school lately would know that if you are not in a rich/upper class community, then technology is not the problem with the education system. Everything starts at home, when parents start making their children show respect to authority figures/educators, then teachers can do more teaching and less baby sitting. In a time where every other kid gets to use the excuse of being ADD/ADHD, I do think teachers need to evolve with the times and continue there own growth as an educator, so they can teach students' that life is real, not a video game.

To all the "True Bucs Fans"

To all the true Tampa Bay Buccaneer fans out I want to hear your thoughts about the Bucs, Gruden, Cadillac, Alstott, or whoever in the organization you would like to talk about. I love the Bucs and have since Ray Perkins was the coach, with Vinny throwing picks, so I can't wait to hear from you.