Post #1

Computers are an essential part to today’s educational experience because computers provide research and make it easier for teachers to connect with her/her students through social media, using blogs, forums, and podcasts to teach and share information. Some concerns regarding how students use computers include not using the computer appropriately (for example, playing games instead of typing an essay) or not having the appropriate resources in schools that could aid them in learning. How teachers integrate technology into their classes is another concern because many teachers are not technologically literate. I agree that it is an issue that many teacher need to learn technology literacy, but I think that reinforcing technology certification for older teachers is an effective way of ensuring that all teachers are prepared to use a computer and its software. In chapter 1, the issue of teachers becoming ‘facilitators of learning’ instead of the authority figure in the classroom due to technology was also discussed. I disagree that teachers’ roles will be demoted because, in the end, it is the teacher who will be testing the students’ comprehension of the material, and will overall be leading the discussions in his/her classroom.

I will use computers in order to create and set up lessons (such as using programs like Thinkfinity) and to create presentations. I will also use computers for crucial tasks, such as taking attendance of students and determining a student’s grade using Excel. I will also use computers to cater to my future students’ learning preferences and find programs for students based off of the visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles. I hope to learn how to use some of these programs in this course as well learn how to quickly assess my students’ learning styles. Additionally, I want to be aware of new and upcoming technologies that become (or will become) essential in schools. It’s important that I know the ways to facilitate the learning process in my classroom through technology that will make it easier for me to teach my students while making it easier for my students to learn.

A digital native is someone (often born during or after the 1970s) who has grown up with technology. On the other hand, digital immigrants are those who learned how to use technology as a teenager or adult. I agree with labeling today’s youth as digital natives because children and young teenagers today have especially grown up with various types of technology. I grew up mostly with computers and television, but younger teenagers and children are growing up with not just televisions and computers, but with smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other high-tech devices. As a digital native, I am accustomed to technology being integrated in my daily life and I know how to use it as part of my daily routine. Usually I use my laptop to take notes, do research, read news articles, and chat with friends and family through video chatting with Skype. Some teachers I had in the past were digital natives but didn’t know how to use the technology in the school, such as the specialized software the school used for educational purposes. I’ve also had teachers who were digital immigrants. Many of these teachers were frustrated with computers and preferred writing notes on a chalkboard or occasionally showed students a boring Youtube video, while other teachers (especially science teachers) used webquests and online labs to ensure that students knew the material for tests and quizzes. Sometimes I would be frustrated with teachers who would only give lectures instead of using the resources available to enhance their lessons. I only learned well in technology-integrated classrooms when the online assignments emphasized what I was being taught. 

I somewhat anticipate that there will be differences between me and future students because, when I was growing up, technology was encouraged to be mostly used for learning and for school. Today, many children and teens view technology as another way to have fun and to socialize with friends, and there is less emphasis in households to use computers and other tools for homework and study. There is nothing wrong with using technology for fun (I do it as well), but there needs to be a bigger emphasis on integrating the Internet, computers, and tablets with school and work. I believe that it will be important for me to show students how to effectively use the internet, for example, for research, but I am reassured that it will not be difficult for future students to learn how to do so, since most have grown up with technology.