New Learners of the 21st Century Reflection

When I first started watching this video I kept thinking, "how can students learn all they need to learn by creating video games."  The more I watched, the more I became intrigued with what different educators and students were saying.  Technology is becoming a huge part of our society and no doubt about it, kids need to keep up to date with it.  The new innovative ways teachers are bringing technology into the classroom is amazing and seems to be a success.  I just can't help but think how students need to learn the basics first.  Although it may be unrealistic, I feel it is so important for students to learn the traditional basics before they can jump into a constant technological learning environment.  For example, learning how to write (by hand), having legible handwriting, learning cursive, learning how to speak in front of groups, etc.  With that said, I also technology is a very important component to education today.  I think the challenge is finding a balance between "traditional education" and this new idea of technology based education.  Allowing students to explore new technology and communicate with technology allows students to be engaged, but also to be ready for the future.  Allowing students to communicate via chat rooms, blogs, discussion boards, etc. encourages students who may be quieter in class to participate and share their ideas.  Technology in the classroom opens doors and allows for all students with different learning styles to come together and work together.  I really liked the part of the video where teachers spoke out about being replaced by technology.  The teacher responded by saying, yes, technology is advanced and is being brought in the classroom more and more but there still needs to be the teacher to teach and lead the class.  Technology is just another resource we can use in the classroom.
I also couldn't help thinking about the schools that cannot access technology resources for their classrooms.  Are those students going to be left behind?  How can we allow for all students to have access to these new technology resources?  If technology is going to be leading the next generation, it only makes sense that all students have access to it.