Mr. Winkle Wakes

"Mr. Winkle Wakes" created by Mathew Needleman
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm1sCsl2MQY

This is a short video on You Tube about a man who slept for 100 years. He wakes up only to find that the world has changed.  He hears weird sounds and sees everything being operated by machines. These machines print documents on paper and allow business people to talk to other business people across the world on a screen. He is really confused and starts to feel sick. He goes to the hospital and sees machines keeping people alive by giving them oxygen. He notices lasers and x-rays used in surgeries. Mr. Winkle never thought these things were possible. He decides to leave the hospital and go find something that makes him feel more comfortable. He stumbles across a school and decides to go in. He sits in a classroom full of students who are being lectured by their teacher. It was instantly familiar to him. Students sat at their desks and took notes all day as they were being lectured about reading, math, writing, etc. Mr. Winkle notices one of those machines (laptop) in the back of the classroom. He realizes that it is covered in dust and hasn't been used. It was comforting to know that even after 100 years, some things remain the same.

I think this video makes a good point. Technology has changed the world as we know it in major businesses today. However, schools are just now starting to use a few technology tools in the classroom. Teachers are still teaching in the traditional sense of using textbooks for every lesson, worksheets, and whiteboards. Some teachers still lecture their students all day as students take notes. This video was trying to make a point regarding that almost everything in society has changed over the past 100 years except education. I think that it is good that some of the traditional values are still being used and taught in the classroom. It is familiar to teachers and makes them feel comfortable when teaching.

However, there are a few technology tools that have made their way into the classroom. I think it is a good idea and needs to continue because teachers have to meet the needs of this generation of students. If technology is being used everywhere and students are familiar with it, then they should have access to it in the classroom as well. These students need to be prepared for future corporate jobs where all they use is technology. They will have to know how to use these tools in order to be successful in their careers. I know that some teachers are not comfortable with using technology, but sometimes you have to be uncomfortable for a while until you learn. I think teachers should attend workshops and meetings focusing on how to use technology. This will help teachers meet the needs of their students and help them be successful in future jobs.

~Amber~