Syrena Brinkman

July 6, 2014
EDET 620
Professional Development
Reflection One and Two

1

Human Impact on Earths Inhabitants Reflection One
Assignment: "In '15 Poets' the student looks at the symbolism in the poetry of 15 different poets.
Each of these poets live in different places and times. The students were interested in
discovering what historical and social references were made in their poetry and if geographical
location influenced the imagery used in their poems."
Question: What worthwhile skills were learned and/or applied by the student in order to
successfully create this project?
Response: The student demonstrated that she was more than capable of navigating through
Google Earth, and understood that the environment affected the style of poetry that was used.
The student also learned how to give descriptions for specific locations, which aided her in
seeing the world through a better view, and pinpointing specific places on the map. Once the
student combined the use of her own knowledge and technology, it opened many doors for
success since she was able to explore the Earth, without having to physically travel.
Assignment: Suppose the student was in a class with a teacher who did not know anything about
Google Earth. And suppose this teacher assigned the student the same type of project: "Write a
report that addresses how historical and social references are made in the poetry of 15 different
poets, and discuss if geographical location influenced the imagery used in their poems."
Question: How might this project be different for the student, and how might Google Earth
make the entire process better (or worse) for the student?
Response: If the student was in a class with a teacher who did not know anything about Google
Earth, and assigned this type of project, I believe it would be very hard for the student to
accomplish this task effectively. If the student is having a hard time understanding or
completing the assignment, they will not be able to ask their questions to the teacher, since the
teacher cannot aid them in achieving the answer. If a teacher is going to assign a task for each
student to accomplish, I believe they must know how to operate the technology needed. Google
Earth will not only better each childs experience in completing this project, it will enhance it,
since it provides students with an authentic learning experience, while also enabling them to look
at different elements of the world through multiple perspectives. The tool that Google Earth
offers are so vital to gaining a greater experience as opposed to a text-book picture, and allows
the students to become more engaged in the lessons being taught. When allowing the students to
use Google Earth, it is appealing to many different learners, and incorporates elements that
everyone can relate and connect to so the learning become more meaningful, and mental
capacities can be expanded.
Syrena Brinkman
July 6, 2014
EDET 620
Professional Development
Reflection One and Two

2

Human Impact on Earths Inhabitants Reflection Two
1. Papert asks the following question following his parable of the time traveler from 100 years
ago who lands in an operating room, as well as a classroom, and sees two very different levels of
advancement:
Why, through a period when so much human activity has been revolutionized, have we
not seen comparable changes in the way we help our children learn?
How would you answer this question?
o I believe that in todays society, teachers have lost their true passion for teaching,
and providing students with authentic and engaging lessons. For specific teachers
who have been in the field for many years, they tend to stick to the old school
styles of teaching, which consisted of standing in front of the room and
conducting lectures. I believe that the young, aspiring teachers are striving to
become more creative, and engage the children in the material so effective
learning can be enabled. I believe change is something that should be embraced,
especially since children today are growing up in such an innovative and
technology driven society, the change in teaching styles is necessary so the needs
of all learners are met, and the children are getting the quality education they need
and deserve.
2. Papert seems to believe that video games are particularly educational.
What have been your personal experiences with video games?
In what ways are your feelings about the value of video games the same or different from
Paperts?
o I personally do not have much experience with video games, but I have seen my
siblings, and children that I have worked with use them daily. Violent video
games have become increasingly popular within the younger age group, and can
take away from the enlightening aspects, but if teachers and parents begin to
implement the use of educational video games each day, this could take away
from the focus of the violent content, and transform the childrens interest levels.
In each of the placements that I have interned with, I have seen the students use
bright, colorful, interactive, and engaging games so they can remain focused and
learn the material through another manner. Since todays society is so technology
driven, providing these children with educational games and activities may be a
great way to reach them; enabling them to connect with the material completely.
Incorporating the use of video games is also educational in the sense that it
Syrena Brinkman
July 6, 2014
EDET 620
Professional Development
Reflection One and Two

3

increases childrens ability to use their fine motor and coordinative skills, along
with expanding their mental capacities in another sense.
3. Papert asks the following question related to instruction:
In trying to teach children what adults want them to know, does school utilize the way
human beings naturally learn in non-school settings?
How would you answer this question?
o Since teachers are driven to teach to the SOL tests, they can tend to shy away
from implementing authentic and meaningful lessons. This can be detrimental to
the childs overall growth and development, since he or she may not be
understanding the material in the manner of which the teachers would like them
to. I do not believe schools utilize a humans natural ability to learn in non-school
settings because they do not offer classes at a young age that are geared for real
life situations, it is generally more focused on brightening each childs future, and
preparing them for future aspirations. Some children do not graduate from high
school, not because they are incapable, but because school simply is not for them.
Whether one is a high school graduate or not does not depict their level of high
intelligence by itself. There are many other factors that contribute to an
individuals mental capacities, and schools tend to lose sight of that since they are
so focused on cramming the large amount of information in a short period of time.
In order to combat this issue, teachers need to become more aware of their
students, and understand their background and home life, so they can better their
understanding of the common misconceptions or misunderstandings that each
child may have about specific subjects. The information that is presented each
day should be relevant and relatable so each child can connect to it in their own
way.
4. After Paperts story about sleeping giraffes, he mentions the possibility of the creation of a
Knowledge Machine. The book was published in 1993.
Do you think the Internet is the Knowledge Machine Papert envisioned in the early
1990s?
If so, does it work the way Papert envisioned?
o I believe the Internet is the Knowledge Machine Papert envisioned in the early
1990s because it is timeless, and it provides individuals with access to every
answer from multiple angles. I also believe that even currently, the Internet
works in the way that Papert envisioned, because people can access their answers
at a more rapid pace, and slowly but surely it is replacing the use of textbooks.
Syrena Brinkman
July 6, 2014
EDET 620
Professional Development
Reflection One and Two

4

The internet is the future of our society, and provides individuals with the
opportunity to expand their knowledge through another manner.
5. After envisioning the introduction of a Knowledge Machine into the classroom, Papert asks
the following question:
How would the introduction of Knowledge Machines into the School environment
compromise the primacy with which we view reading and writing-that is, childrens
fluency in using alphabetic language?
Assuming the Internet, as it exists today, is the Knowledge Machine Papert envisioned,
how would you respond to this question?
o The introduction of Knowledge Machines into the school environment would
compromise the primacy with which we view reading and writing, or in other
words, the childs ability to speak fluently and use alphabetic language because
even though technology is promising, it can still have flaws, crash, or not exist,
and if this were to happen, I believe students would be at a great disadvantage,
since they would not know how to complete assignments in the manner in which
they are accustomed. The internet should not be relied on as heavily as it
currently is. Google and other popular search engines, along with educational
games and websites do not replace the authenticity of textbooks. Children need to
be stimulated through multiple methods, and incorporating the internet when
appropriate is the key to success. The internet should not be the only mechanism
in which students rely on for learning the material, and accomplishing
assignments.
6. Papert actually uses the rest of his book to describe ways in which he feels computers may, in
fact, be a technology that might cause genuine realization of some of the ideas presented by
Dewey, Freire, Piaget and Vygotsky.
Based on how you use computers in your life outside school, describe some of the ways
you think computers might be used to improve the culture of learning within the
classroom, as described by Dewey, Freire, Piaget and Vygotsky.
o Computers have aided in improving my own personal culture of learning within
the classroom in its own and unique way. I personally am a hands-on learner, and
do not always require the internet for my own personal use, but rather engaging
and authentic lessons. I believe children learn better when they have their own
experience with the material, so they can make connections on their own, but for
specific projects and assignments where the internet was useful, I believe it was
effective in the sense that less research was required in order to obtain my
Syrena Brinkman
July 6, 2014
EDET 620
Professional Development
Reflection One and Two

5

answers. I believe the culture of learning within the classroom as described by
Dewey, Freire, Piaget, and Vygotsky relates to the use of technology because
each discuss how the internet is a valuable tool, which can aid children in
becoming successful, since it provides children with an option for exploring their
interests, age-appropriate content, presents the opportunity to experience things
independently in their own manner, and providing them with valuable
experiences. I believe each component is necessary in aiding to each childs
growth and development, and enabling them in becoming the best students they
can be.