Additional Assignment 2

If I am honest with myself, I will say that before watching this video I thought that teachers were absolutely necessary in order for a child to learn.  Now I feel that an educator of some sort is necessary to some extent, but Ir realize that children who are less fortunate in other countries are teaching themselves.  I do not know if children in America will be motivated enough to teach themselves, therefore, I think educators are very necessary in America.

In order for one to teach one's self, I would say that some  sort of common knowledge of the subject is required.  If one doesn't know how to do simple math, how can one teach calculus?  But I also understand and respect that children are very intelligent, and when they are motivated, they can do really amazing things.  I'm not totally ruling out that children can teach themselves.  This whole concept makes me really excited to finish school and get into the world of education, so I can better answer these questions for myself.

Internet access plays a huge role in children teaching themselves to learn, in my opinion.  One can google ANYTHING.  As long as a child has the common knowledge of what a given site is saying, I would venture to say that, yes, a child can indeed teach themselves.

In my life, motivation is a huge role while learning.  If I were not motivated to turn my work in on time in EDM 310, I would totally be failing right now.  If a 2 year old in my preschool class isn't somewhat motivated to learn the colors, they won't learn it.  That much I have seen with my own eyes.  I think it is exciting when a child or any student really wants to learn, when he or she really craves knowledge about something.  I wish I had craved like that when I was younger!

I motivate others to learn by telling them how much they can do with the information that they learn!  Just think of all the things in life one can do with KNOWLEDGE.  I am not going to sit here and say that school is a piece of cake, because it isn't, but we in America have so many opportunities to further our education. What better way to better ourselves than this?

I am motivated to learn because I wasn't born an naturally book-smart kind of girl ( as you can probably tell, hehe).  I have to work harder than the average student to know things and to retain information.  I know my capabilities, I set goals, and I go for them!  I know that I can make something of myself, and I'm doing it. 

I would venture to say that someone who isn't motivated to learn could learn.  Obviously, he or she won't learn all that they are capable of; they won't learn to their full potential, but it's possible.  Everyone has some level of intellectual ability, so yes.

My 'concern' after watching this is that one day in my lifetime, paid educators won't be necessary.  We are always learning in this class about all the technology that's available, and it's only growing!  If children can teach themselves now using technology, what will it be like in 10 years? 20? 50?