Multitasking isn't for everyone

In a setting like MIT, it is not surprising to see students multitasking, but to see middle or high shcool students trying to mutlitask successfully is something different.  I understand many students can and do multitask; however, not all students can.  Students with learnign disabilites or trouble concentrating need to try and maintain as complete a focus as they can in order to reap the most rewards from the knowledge of their teachers.  I've seen many college students on their Facebook pages or Googling an item or even streaming a You Tube video while sitting through a lecture.  If those students are able to maintain their utmost learning capabilities while performing all these extracurricular activities I feel that's great for them.  But, as a future teacher I feel it is important for the young minds that we will be helping to shape, that they try and focus all or as much of their attention on the lesson at hand and then use study hall or library time--not needed for homework or research--to enjoy their extracurricular cyber surfing.  In the MIT video, the students remarked that they need to multitask to stay active in the class, stay awake because the class is boring or because they need the extra stimulation.  In a middle or high school setting, students who require using a laptop to take better notes or participate in online discussions should focus their energy on those tasks rahter than playing.  In a world that is becoming more and more dependent on technology, it is not unusual to see that students are becoming better at multitasking and are even required to be able to do so in the business world, but during an important lesson in the clasroom is not the place to begin trying.

First day of class jitters

As an older student that did not have all the technology that is available in today's classrooms, the list of technology that we are to learn and teach is overwhelming and staggering. I did not know there were so many different techs available for the classroom and for use in aiding in teaching our students.  I believe this class will be the most challenging one I will take during my education and will be become one of the most important...hopefully I am up for the challenge.