After watching the Vimeo on “Why Open Education Maters,” I was excited by the fact that “Open education is a global movement that aims to bring quality education to teachers and students everywhere” by putting “top notch learning materials on the web that anyone can access for
free.”
Although, this video states that “schools can’t afford the latest learning materials,” can the schools afford the latest technology that will allow the students access to the latest learning materials on the web (Blink Tower, 2012)? About four years ago, while driving home from school, I was listening to a talk show on CKNW. The host was interviewing a principal from a high school in Ontario. His school stopped using their resource budget to purchase text books for students. The principal claimed that the information students were reading in the textbooks was at least 7 years old. Instead, the school was providing every student in the school with an IPad. The IPad allows students and teachers to connect to the world and access up-to-date information and learning materials; making the students learning more relevant and meaningful. When students are not provided with adequate technology, they cannot always access the latest learning materials. If teachers are not provided with proper training, can they effectively use the Open Education Resources to
deliver an educational program?
I often use Khan Academy videos in my classroom to allow me to review concepts prior to me teaching them. In addition, I also create links on my class wiki to Khan Academy videos. I can scan and post the daily math assignments for the students onto my wiki and link it to a Khan Academy video. This allows students who were unable to be in my classroom that day, still have some instruction on how to perform the math concept. Not only does it allow the students to keep up, it frees me up when the student returns to the classroom; I do not have to spend a lot of time re-teaching missed math curriculum.
When we are trying to provide teachers and students with free access to education resources on the web, should teachers and student's be provided with the technology to access the resources?
free.”
Although, this video states that “schools can’t afford the latest learning materials,” can the schools afford the latest technology that will allow the students access to the latest learning materials on the web (Blink Tower, 2012)? About four years ago, while driving home from school, I was listening to a talk show on CKNW. The host was interviewing a principal from a high school in Ontario. His school stopped using their resource budget to purchase text books for students. The principal claimed that the information students were reading in the textbooks was at least 7 years old. Instead, the school was providing every student in the school with an IPad. The IPad allows students and teachers to connect to the world and access up-to-date information and learning materials; making the students learning more relevant and meaningful. When students are not provided with adequate technology, they cannot always access the latest learning materials. If teachers are not provided with proper training, can they effectively use the Open Education Resources to
deliver an educational program?
I often use Khan Academy videos in my classroom to allow me to review concepts prior to me teaching them. In addition, I also create links on my class wiki to Khan Academy videos. I can scan and post the daily math assignments for the students onto my wiki and link it to a Khan Academy video. This allows students who were unable to be in my classroom that day, still have some instruction on how to perform the math concept. Not only does it allow the students to keep up, it frees me up when the student returns to the classroom; I do not have to spend a lot of time re-teaching missed math curriculum.
When we are trying to provide teachers and students with free access to education resources on the web, should teachers and student's be provided with the technology to access the resources?