Journal Post #2 Chapter 2: Understanding Educational Technology Issues and Trends

Focus Question: How can teachers more closely connect learning to the experiences of the digital natives who are heir students?

When deciding what technology and how much in a classroom, it is important to understand the ages and needs of the students.  As I have learned in some of my other classes, and through my own personal experiences in school, students learn differently.  Some will be more visual from day one of Kindergarten.  Some students will learn best from reading and some are listeners.  I don't think there is any right or wrong amount of technology (as long as you are not taking yourself out & ONLY using technology).  I believe it's more about being perceptive of your current students needs, as this may change from year to year, and adapting accordingly.  Small groups also allow for students to be grouped together who learn in similar manners so they can relate better to the material being taught.  personally, I like using some technology and it helps with time management so more can be allocated to the students for learning. 


Tech Tool 2.1: What roles does technology play in the lives of students and teachers?
As a mother of three children I have learned to adapt to new technology and, since I am so busy with them, school and full-time employment, I also realize the benefits of all the Apps available.  I currently have a iPhone and have a lot of Apps that make my life easier.  With limited time, Apps that allow me to do my banking, check weather, places near-by to eat, newspapers and maps along with myriads of others makes my busy life actually doable!  There are lots for entertainment and fun too.  Sports fans can check scores or even play their Fantasy sports teams from anywhere.  I actually play Fantasy Football and love my App on my phone to access it anytime.

I grew up without cell phones and barely used a computer in my last 2 years of high school, so I know that all this stuff was done before all the technology, but the new technology has allowed us to do it quicker and more efficient.  I believe that with technology being at the front of most of kids lives today, it is imperative that all the adults around them know how to use it too.

I can't wait to show my oldest son The Elements and 3D Sun Apps because he really loves Science....and Technology.  It will be a great way for him to interact with the information he is learning.

My favorite App is iHeart Radio because I use it all the time and can listen to any type of music at the touch of my finger. Whatever mood I am in...80's, Country, Rock or some good Oldies, I can access it in seconds.

What's your favorite App?


Summary of Chapter 2

Chapter 2 discussed several different issues including the difference in some school in the amount of technology they use, resistance teachers may come across in wanting to use it more and deciding what type of teacher we may want to be.

I am new to learning about the teaching profession.  I have several friends who are teachers and they are all very different.  Some are in different states and some even teach at private schools.  The differences in what the schools allow and expects is astounding, as is the attitudes in the teachers themselves.  Some of them have just given up totally because they feel that fighting an administration that will not seem to change with the times is just not worth it anymore.  Some are so scared of technology they will not utilize all the wonderful opportunities and tools the school offers them.  Other teachers have fought (some wins and some losses) for years to make the schools move forward with the increasing technology usage.

I plan to be one of those teachers who will utilize all that is available to me to benefit my students the most.  I will take every class and seminar I can to sharpen every skill.  I want to pay attention and fight (in a respectful and appropriate way) for what my STUDENTS need.  Isn't that why we should become teachers?  The students we are teaching are depending on on, but here is another important reason....Those students will be running our country, finding new cures and deciding our fates in many other areas.  I don't know about others, but I want the students I teach to be as prepared as possible to handle anything that may come for their benefit, for ours and for many generations to come.

Why become a teacher?  Everyone needs to really think about this before deciding to make it a career. 

 

 

Resources:

Textbook - Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

YouTube, Published on May 10, 2013, Top Ten Reasons I've Decided To Become a Teacher" as presented by ten new teachers from "Teach For America.

Journal Post #1 Chapter 1 Becoming a 21st Century Teacher

Focus Question: What roles does technology play in the lives of students and teachers?

In the 21st century most people are using some form of technology.  I see two year old children using iPods and iPads and items like it.  My own five year old knows how to use my phone better than I do.  My 12 year old has to be pried away from PlayStation online.  My 18 year old can text like the wind.  Due to a seven year gap in my children's ages, the youngest has learned much quicker and used technology a lot earlier than the other two.   Today there are Apps for everything you can think of.  Restaurants and department/grocery stores and the like are all getting on the technology train too.  Just this week alone I ordered a gift, a pizza and refilled my prescription all from my cell phone!  Since all the students are using technology as a second skin, today's teachers not only should, but MUST utilize technology in many forms to teach their students.  It is the only way to keep their attention at this point in time.  If they can't be pried away from their iPods and cell phones, then USE them to get to the student and find what ways will reach them.

This technology age does not just benefit the students however.  Information in many forms are now at a teacher's fingertips....literally, and seconds away to be delivered to the students.  If looked at in the right light and embraced, technology can be a great tool for students and teachers for everything from grades to research. Teachers can communicate quickly with both parents and students.  How about sending out a reminder to the students AND the parents at the same time about an upcoming test?  The possibilities of how technology can be used are really limitless.

Tech Tool 1.1

This section talks about items for technology that teachers may need to be functional in the 21st century classroom and their uses.  The three items were a smart phone, laptop and tablets.  As a student and a full time employee in Administration, I already use them all.  I have truly found the benefits of all three at times.  I once did an assignment and thought I sent the email and then left home. Thankfully my professor had emailed everyone a reminder so I checked my email on my phone, just to make sure I had sent my assignment.  Apparently I had only put it as a draft and had NOT emailed it!  I was able to retrieve it on my cell and email it to my professor right then. In general though, if you have a laptop and a smart phone, you don't need the tablet.  The tablet I have mostly used to share information I find with others and to read.

Summary & Connection

After reading this chapter, I am very grateful that I have embraced technology since high school. I could not imagine coming into this profession (or even college) without the prior knowledge that I have.  This is the second week of class and I've already learned new things.  Although not hard to follow, I had not used Google for school assignments or posted blogs before.  Since I am not afraid, and am actually eager to learn these new things, I am not overwhelmed at all the information, but am excited to learn more and how I can later use these in a classroom!  There are so many different tools out there.  I know I may not like them all, but I at least need to experience them so I can learn what works for me, but more importantly, what may work for my future students.

Resources:

Textbook - Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.