Blog Post #1

As technology advances, so does the equipment in a classroom setting. Across the nation, a computer is the key device. The computer gives teachers and students access to multiple programs that are time savers, reduces space, and improves their educational experience. Nowadays, there are software that allows teachers to input attendance and grades rather than keeping a physical record. For students, many will engage in activities via the internet that will incorporate the materials they have learned. The book, Teaching and Learning with Technology, mentions numerous organizations, such as the Association for Educational Communications and Technology and the International Society for Technology in Education, that focuses on the usage of technology in the classroom setting and their benefits. As technology has created a change in the education field, many teachers still believe incorporating technology in their classroom is not necessary. This is an error on the teacher’s part because they need to expose their students of the skills they will need in the long run. In addition, even though the computer is beneficial to both teachers and students, standards and assessment tests should be mandatory so both sides will get the most out of the computer.

The International Society for Technology in Education have developed standards of technology for teachers and students in order for each individual to be a productive member in the technological era. The ISTE standards for students’ goal is to prepare them with the technological knowledge that is needed in order to become successful in the future. A standard that caught my attention was digital citizenship. I admired how the ISTE is promoting positive usage of technology among our students because our students need to be aware of the legal and emotional consequences of their actions. The ISTE standards for teachers’ goal is to make sure they are successful in their career and enhance their students experience with enriching learning experiences. A standard that I have yet to master is model digital age work and learning. Frankly, I am embarrassed for the fact that there are a number of software’s that I am not familiar with. However, I am aware that in order to be an effective teacher, I will need to master any flaws that I have that would interfere with my student’s experience in the classroom.

I recently came across a podcast named as “Digital Natives”, that introduces a set of terminology to distinguish an individual’s experience and sense of comfort among technology, such as digital native and digital immigrant.  A digital native is an individual who grew up in an environment surrounded by technology and cannot remember a time period without technology. On the contrary, a digital immigrant is an individual who was introduced to technology as it was being developed. A digital native is known for learning how to maneuver through new technology with no help, as a digital immigrant is more cautious and prefers using a form of guide as they are exposed to a new device. Today’s youth is primarily digital natives for the fact that they are constantly surrounded by technology. My generation has been exposed to numerous devices that has made daily tasks convenient. As a student, there have been several incidents where my teacher was not aware of what they were doing on their computer and would need a student’s assistance. My classmates and I would often find our teacher’s lack of knowledge humorous since we envisioned our teachers as “old”. Even though their lack of knowledge took away time from the lesson, these incidents reminded us that our teachers are just like any other person and they are trying their best to keep up with these advances. Just as my previous teacher faced hindrances with the advancing technology, so will I. Even though I grew up in a decade of technology, my students will use the upcoming technology for personal benefits while I would use the technology for work related manners. Eventually, I will be the individual who will need assistance with the new upcoming technology.

Work Cited:

Lever-Duffy, J. & McDonald, J. (2014). Teaching and Learning with Technology. Boston: Pearson. 5th Ed.

http://www.iste.org/standards/standards/standards-for-students

http://www.iste.org/standards/standards/standards-for-teachers

https://campus.fsu.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-8308693-dt-content-rid-48618527_2/courses/EME2040-0001.fa16/DIgitalNativesLec.mp3?target=blank