C4T #3

Summary #1
The title of this post is Algorithmic Education. “Any teacher that can be replaced with a computer deserves to be. -attributed to David Thornburg.” Mr. Genereux’s post revolves around this quote. He explains that if professional educators are willing to let technology predominantly do the teaching for them then they should be replaced by technology. A classroom picture of kids taking their accelerated reading test on an iPad was posted on Facebook (on the local school districts page) and this sends Mr. Genereux into deep thought. He then thinks back on the time when his child's school was slow to adapt to incorporating technology into the classroom. Now that schools were comfortable with showing the world kids using technology in the classroom Mr.Genereux wasn’t sure how to deal with this. Ultimately he decided to post that he felt they were wasting mobile technology. Within moments Mr. Genereux deleted his comment because it was truly out

of context. He then thought that he should respect teachers a little more because they are teaching his kids. Using technology is a tricky thing and teachers should restrain from letting technology “run” the classroom. Every teacher should gain complete understanding of technology (iPads, computer programs, etc.) before using it. The goal of this is to “program not be programmed.” He then discusses the “intelligence” of the computers that we use even if we don’t understand them. An example given is Google’s auto-suggest, without even knowing we are being greatly influenced. If we first had knowledge of the computer program we would notice this and wouldn't be so susceptible to it. Mr. Genereux says when a school adopts a technology like Accelerated Reader, it is accepting the embedded intelligence and limitations of the computing environment used as well as that of the technology’s creator. We then no longer have room for students who reading interest are outside of the Accelerated Reader Program. So in turn Mr. Genereux think teachers should only use Accelerated Reader as a supplement to teaching. An irreplaceable teacher will understand that being creative with technology is a must, but we should not let technology define us. Only using technology to administer test is a “waste.” Mr. Genereux stresses that just because something is on a test doesn't mean that it’s valuable. He also says that the teaching position has become less creative and personalized. Why? This is because of the rules made by people “far away from the classroom.” He also fears this will happen not only for teachers but doctors as well.

Comment #1
This is a very interesting post. Technology is being used more and more in the classroom, but it is up to the teacher on how to use it. Since teachers are given "rules" on what they can and can't do using technology in the classroom can be tricky. I agree that any teacher that can be replaced by a computer should be. Technology is a very good thing but teachers should learn how to use it in supplement to a lesson. The teaching position should be more and more personalized instead of the other way around. We are all still learning as technology evolves, but we should also make sure we understand it before using it.

Summary #2
The title of this post is A New Word and A New Pope. Bill Genereux explains that the word “selfie” was recently added to the online Oxford Dictionaries. A selfie is a photo

that one has taken with a smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website. Mr. Genereux also tells about how the new pope took a “selfie” a few young people. It is debated that since this wasn’t just the pope in the picture that is not a “selfie” it is a “groupie.” He then explains that years ago the photographer was never in their own picture, but with new technology on mobile devices a rear-facing camera makes this possible. The comparison of “blog” and “selfie” is also made in this post. Mr. Genereux says that neither, a blog or a selfie, has to be from a self-involved, narcissistic point of view.

Comment #2
As a "young person" I tend to take selfies all the time. They typically are of me only, but some moments cause for multiple people to be in the picture. A moment like meeting the pope is unforgettable so why not take a selfie. Most selfies are taken as a spur of the moment thing anyways. I also agree that selfies and blogs do not have to be from a self-involved, narcissistic point of view.