Blog Post #4

WHO IS SCOTT McLEOD:
Dr. McCleod is an Associate Professor at Iowa State University for Education Administration. He is also the Director of UCEA CASTLE. He also had a hand in co-creating the video we watched a couple of weeks ago in EDM, "Did You Know?" He has also received many national awards for his leadership in technology.


The iSCHOOL INITIATIVE:
In the video iSchool, the idea of creating a school that is solely online is brought up. In this video, the thought that creating virtual school will help with the cost tremendously. The iSchool would not require books, paper, copy machines, or even pens and pencils. There would be programs for every class on the device from things such as Starwalk to take a tour of the galaxy to Formulae which would include all formulas used.  The main purposes this would be proposed are massive savings and environment protection. It is said that each student would only pay $150.


I think that this idea represents a lot of unique things that could be useful. However, while I was watching this video, the main question that was going through my mind was, "where will all the teachers go?" I realize that there will be instructors for the classes, however, there are many jobs related to schools. Jobs are already limited these days and honestly I do not see how this would help provide more jobs. Yes, it cuts down the cost for students, but what about teachers salary, secretaries, and janitors. In the end, this program of iSchool is basically students teaching themselves on their own time which can be good in some ways, but not so good in others. Also, if the idea of it being cheaper were true, then why am I paying more for my online classes now compared to the price I pay for regular classes. I am not totally against online learning, but what I am concerned about are the teachers jobs because if this were to happen, there would not necessarily have to be many teachers. 


THE LOST GENERATION
This video makes a solid point that certain things will come true if we do not choose to reverse it. These things are exactly opposite from what people would typically want to happen. The interesting thing about this video is that the reader reversed the order of the words and read it exactly backwards. When that happened it clearly made the point of what the video is all about. 


ERIC WHITAKER'S VIRTUAL CHOIR
This was definitely different from anything I have ever seen before. I think it was interesting, however it would be hard to hear them as individuals. I also wonder if the sound would be capable enough to be clear.