Mr. Winkles and Those Wacky Kids

Very interesting.  I have some issues though when this type of information is presented.  To me, I find it easy to present the "facts" of the situation.  Presenting honest, workable, and ultimately useful solutions is a whole other ball of wax.

Yes, we all know that young people have access to technology as never before in the history of the world.  It is the most powerful tool ever given to one so woefully inadequate to utilize it (personal opinion).  The wealth of information at one's fingertips today is so beyond comprehension, that an educator looks at such device and says "Whoa, how can I get my student to 'learn' while having this device as a support and NOT a crutch.  I'm sorry, but it is easy to say that learning a foreign language is easy, because of Skype or that Google Earth makes Geography come to life more.  What about the memorization of how energy is created in the cell?  What about the trigonometric ratios and their functions.  Yes, a student can "look it up" on their devices, but so many of our young people today don't want to take the time to memorize these very important concepts.  Why should they?  There lives have been 'googlized".  They don't have to understand, they can just punch it up on their phones and show the answer.  I fear the future in many ways because of this.  I look at my students and cringe when problem solving is all be non-existent (yes, I do try like crazy to  teach and use problem solving skills).  If a problem's answer isn't instantly known or recognized, they willingly give up.  These are legitimate concerns I have.

I also know that putting my head in the ground and hoping it goes away isn't the answer as well.  I am willing to put the energy into my students to meet them where they are, as long as it is learning that is going on.  There is a difference between knowing how to do something and knowing how to "find" something.  I am very open and desperately seeking a happy medium for this dilemma.  I am hoping for us to help create solutions within this course and not just go through this course feeling the same way I do now, overwhelmed and unsure how to proceed.  

  I am looking forward to the interaction this class will bring.  I know the intelligence represented in this class will allow for good interaction and conversation moving forward.