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So this is what you meant, Jeff? "Rocky the Octopus predicts Super Bowl 46 winner" http://youtu.be/XCxFiWLUtfo

LOL Exactly!! :-)

Very interesting! Could it be that because the octopus is something that is not easy to study in nature because they are smart enough to evade? Makes you wonder if this is why we never see "Bigfoot" or "Nessy." No really, how could we not believe that there are animals or other beings out "there" that are more intelligent or at the least intelligent in different ways? I bet if you talked to anybody who worked in a lab with animals you would hear stories of behavior that would not be typical of that particular animal. Why? Because the animal is not in its natural environment. No matter how big or small a brain is, it will adapt to the situation it finds itself in. This happens everyday when stray animals of all types are abandoned in areas that are not their natural habitats such as "domestic" snakes in Florida in the 80's and 90's. Now, what does Florida have? A BIG snake problem, because although I would think the snake would not have much of a brain they learn to survive in areas that get colder than they are accustomed too by surviving.

The ocean is by far the most unexplored area on earth. It covers about seventy percent of the earth's surface that is vital to our planets survival. It regulates the earth's temperature and supports living organisms like the octopus. I read an article a few years ago that 90 percent of the ocean still to this day remains unexplored. I cannot believe with the advancement of technology 90 percent of the ocean is still unexplored. If you think about it the ocean is a big museum that can provide us with many answers to most of our questions.

Yes, Jackie, it is really amazing how animals are able to adapt. Humans so often think we can control these things but it's not so simple. Jaime, it does make you wonder what else is under there that we don't even have any idea about. Could be very exciting...or scary! (Pacific Rim, anyone?)

I is fascinating how animals can adapted to their environments. The oceans are filled with animals that act like and hunt like land animals. They have to find their niche to live or perish. Darwin's studies on this have always amazed me. Maybe we can find an animal in the ocean as smart as us.

Jackie, I do think the next generation will have more experienced learners. There has never been a more important time to apply principles of development and learning when considering the use of cutting-edge technologies and new media. When the integration of technology and interactive media in early childhood programs is built upon solid developmental foundations, and early childhood professionals are aware of both the challenges and the opportunities, educators are positioned to improve program quality by intentionally leveraging the potential of technology and media for the benefit of every child.

I really liked the piece you picked for the discussion group. In my school district we are implementing a 1:x initiative that all students will have Ipads and use them in the classroom. I think this is great on some instances and bad on others. Like the discussion says kids learn more when a video or some other form of multimedea follows with instruction. I get that and I am trying to use this in my classroom. The hard part about this philosophy right now is most of the students that we have, have grown up with the Ipad as a toy not an educational device and having the students think about the Ipad as an educational device is harder said than done it seems. My son is in the 4th grade and was given an Ipad 2 weeks ago. He has been able to some great things with it as a learning tool BUT he still sees the Ipad as something he gets to play Mine Craft on and not a learning tool. My high school students are having a harder time using the Ipad for educational use. I did not mean to derail this thread with this topic but my experience is telling me that we are at a cross roads right now. We have students that started with pen and paper and slowly have moved to a more technology based education are struggling using the technology because they have only used the technology as a toy up until now. The students coming up have had the technology earlier in life and are able to use it in class but they are still having a hard time associating the technology with learning. I guess what I am saying is that I know that the use of the technology will help the students learn but the students are having a hard time realizing that the technology is an educational tool as well as a game. What can we do to help the students realize the powerful tools they have at their disposal these days that we did not growing up?

Maria, I have to admit that I am guilty of standing in the way of technology. It is hard to incorporate the technology in a way that is resourceful and useful. I think Adam hit the nail on the head when he talks about the fact that today's student thinks of the technology as a toy not an educational tool, even if they played educational games. Martha has the key that the integration of technologies needs to be built on a strong foundation so that the new generation can see the ipad as a tool instead of a toy.

Jackie, You bring up very interesting points as do Adam and Martha. I would reflect on the different issues tackled maybe separating them into their different components. One element is the learning process: as Martha says, applying proper methodologies and evidence-based research in the classroom is essential. My question would be: as teachers, we have all been taught and trained in developmental theories and educational methodologies, however, very little of that seems to trickle into our practice, I wonder why. Another point would be the use of technology as such and the definition of a learning process: if the learning process is restricted to the acquisition of data, technology can do very little for us, since internet, ipads, etc. are, for the most part, meant to facilitate the spread of information. Maybe the emphasis should be on the development of skills that would allow students to process and discriminate sources and facts, and be able to apply them to a variety of real life situations. The acquisition of data should be dependent upon the development of higher order thinking skills. In this sense, the line separating the use of technology as a toy and the use of technology to facilitates the access to data is not very easy to draw. It has been argued that the development of problem solving skills and creativity is at the core of many games. Should the educational process be limited to games? Most certainly not, but, I think that technology is forcing us to redefine the way we see learning.

Interesting dialogue! Maria, I completely agree that the emphasis should be on the development of higher order skills. I know, too, that technology can rapidly turn off students if it is slow or boring or whatever they are doing with it doesn't interest them. I think real learning is always going to come back to meeting students where they are and getting them to think in new ways about topics they care about--whether they are using technology or not. So technology may be forcing us to redefine the way we teach, but I don't think it's redefining the key elements of effective teaching.

I'm amazed we know as much as we do given the way we were taught and how it is so "wrong" compared to the way our brains actually work. I think that says something for human resilience and adaptation. In spite of the classrooms we endured and seemingly endless lectures, a lot of us have still been able to come out ok and be pretty darned effective in our lives and jobs. Do I think the next generation will be more experienced learners because of the hands on nature of various devices they've been exposed to? Not necessarily. It still depends on how it is used. If all my 5 year old does is play some game on my iPhone, I don't know if that is making her a more experienced learner. Just like anything else, it takes the parent or educator to be involved and help the child use the device in the most effective way.

Maria you are absolutely correct! As educators we know what we should do, but it is not the easy road so we fall short sometimes in using proper methodologies. I believe there are many reasons "excuses" such as: classes are large with too many learning styles, paperwork gets in the way of planning, not enough time in class to apply methodologies. Let's face it when it comes down to the wire the use of methodologies are just good teaching skills, which should include the use of current technologies in the right context and for the right reason. I think too many times educational games just become "play" time and a break for the teacher to get other work done. They are called educational, but many times the kids just see the game not the educational aspect. Jennifer and Jeff, I don't think I could have said it any better. In order to be an effective teacher, one must incorporate the available tools in a way that meets the needs of the students. It all breaks down to how we use technology. Thinking about how "we" learned referring to those of us over 30 who did not have all this technology in school, we did turn out okay. If I talk to my colleagues who have taught more than 15 years they would say that the technology has taught our current students to be less effective at critical thinking when it comes to academics, yet they can learn, maneuver, and use problem solving skills to navigate the newest video games. Have any of you tried to play "Call of Duty" or "World of Warcraft?" They are not easy! It takes time, repetition, and good problem solving skills to get through each level. Maybe we as educators need to be more versed in the problem solving skills in popular games and be able to show our students the connection between the skills they use in the classroom and the skills they use in those games. It would give them the answer to that age old question, "Why am I learning this_____________?"

Totally in accord, Jackie! Technology should be only one more tool and, consequently, it should be used only under certain criteria.

Teacher do become an obstacle in the classroom, but not of their own accord. They get their hands tied by state testing the ruins education and district politics that can end their careers. It is really sad to see what education has become, if you as a few generations before us, it was a privilege to go to school and today students seem to have to go kicking and screaming. The misconception I have gotten from several teachers that I know is that they have this odd belief that the technology is there to replace them or simply teach the class for them. Technology is a tool that is meant to be wielded by someone who understands it. I think in the next few years we are going to see an exodus of pre-technology teachers and and influx of Generation iPad teachers who are tech savvy and have grown up with the technology. I think that will be a game changer for education and good serving of job security for students in our field.

I normally will skip articles which mention arithmetic. My eyes are easily caught by a visually appealing graphic, a photograph or a poem. But I absolutely agree that "animations and visual images help students see the mathematical concepts and to visualize how math works." Particularly when integrated learning with games, it will make learning more effective and proficient. I believe next generation children will definitely acquire a different learning style with technology, and is much unlike ours.