Blog post numero uno

Blog post #1

Why use technology in the classroom for grades K-12?

There's a multitude of reasons. If you think about it, the times have changed tremendously between when your parents went to school, when their parents went to school, and so on. In my opinion, to teach effectively, executive school boards need to keep up with the times. For example, it'd be odd to stroll into a classroom today and all of a sudden, there's chalkboards, overhead projectors, or  see students watching a movie from a VHS tape on one of those thick TVs resting on a mobile stand. There's a certain responsibility when it comes to finding relevant resources and technologies for use in the classroom.  I also believe that technology, in a way, keeps students engaged. It's similar to an infant's need for stimulation at an early age. In a show, the colors and sounds are captivating to them. It aids in their development. And to those who argue that technology is taking the roles and jobs that humans would normally have - teachers will remain effected by that. Technology is a tool. It can bring people together, it can heighten the interests of those who use it. The list goes on.

ISTE standards - most important to me

In one word: being a collaborator. If being in this class for the last three weeks has taught me anything, it's that teachers need to work together. Whether that's with other teachers, students, or the parents who trust that you'll do your job well, it's important. I believe the purpose of being a teacher is beyond what any of us could comprehend. It's a profession that's often overlooked, underpaid, and disrespected. It's so much bigger than us. I'm pretty sure that a good teacher is one that doesn't work alone. Not one single person has all the answers, and even collectively, that might not be the case either, but it's sharing ideas, tools, recommendations, anything, to benefit the lives that make up the future generation - that's what needs to be focused on. In order to collaborate well, communication is key. And that skill alone is huge in the field of education. For example, if your professor couldn't speak well (and isn't uncommon), then how can they teach?

Digital natives? Agree to disagree

To put it in simple terms, a "digital native" is someone who was born in the age of technology (roughly beginning in the 1980s). And the opposite would be a "digital immigrant," which is anyone born before that time period. Someone in class today pointed out that there's too much division these two terms cause, which reminds me of the various generations (baby boomers, Gen Z, millennials, etc.) debate. How one is "better than the other" or the mockery of traits between each generation (or lack of). As for in the classroom, there is a noticeable difference between the two. I can't tell you how many times a teacher or professor has asked students to help them whenever technical difficulties arrive. You've probably seen it before: the class is starting late because the teacher is fumbling with wires and cords, or relentlessly pressing buttons on their computer until something works. You watch and you wait, and some of us deep down probably hope that they'll never figure it out, and end up cancelling class or sending everybody home. The age gap isn't the end of the world, but it isn't surprising when problems arise. It doesn't necessarily impact my learning experience if a solution is reached. But if not, then time is taken away from that particular class, and if this keeps happening, I'll fall behind. As for me and my future students, will this happen to me? I wouldn't doubt it. History repeats itself. In 2040, there might be holograms or flying cars or zero-gravity classrooms. Who knows? The possibilities are endless.