There are plenty of ways that technology has enhanced the classroom experience. Teachers can use computers to come up with their lesson plans and instruction design. By doing these two things online you can broaden your horizons and you are basically limitless. As for the students learning, technology can also help you learn. Technology can foster creativity in students, it can assess competency and it can also foster communication and collaboration. I definitely agree that technology can help the teaching and also the learning process if used correctly. The internet can do incredible things if you know the correct strategies to help the learning process.
One standard that gladdens my heart is under the ISTE standards for teachers. It's actually the first one, Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity. I love this standard because you are allowing students to be kids and allowing them to follow their creative instinct and be interested in things. The technology allows them to learn all about what they are curious in, and I love it. You're allowing students to be creative, all while helping them do it. One ISTE standard that seems a little outside your current skill set is number 3, to Model digital age work and learning. It seems a little outside my skill set because I know the basics about computers but not enough to teach others about it. I wouldn't feel comfortable to use all the different ways of technology to communicate with parents or anything else. I'd need some more knowledge about it, but I'm open to learn!
I do agree with the term "Digital Native" to describe our youth. Being a digital native means that you need technology to learn, unlike the traditional ways that we used to learn. Being a student, I can definitely see the difference between the digital native and the digital immigrants. Some of my older professors don't know how to get powerpoint on their projector or know how to turn on the volume when they play videos in class. Something that if you were to ask a digital native how to do, they could probably figure it out in less than 5 minutes. It does impact the learning experience on students because their attention starts veering towards other things when it takes awhile for our professor to get the technology to start working. I am anticipating that when I'm a teacher I might be current on the technology, but my students will always be ahead of me. Technology will continue to grow and students will always be ahead of their teachers!
Lindsey, I also agree that technology ONLY helps when used in the right way. Many people are still misusing technology and they need to be taught the correct way.
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ReplyDeleteI said the same ISTE standard gladdens my heart too! And I agree completely with your reasoning why.
ReplyDeleteI strongly agree with your point that when an older teacher is trying to figure out something on a computer, the "digital natives" in the class start to get bored and their attention shifts away from the professor (probably to their own computer or phone).
ReplyDeleteWhat will be interesting is how your students are ahead of you. For example, you all are better at social media than I am. But I know a heck of a lot about online content creation. This difference in skill sets will likely continue as students choose to use some features and you will choose to use others. Kids play. Teachers work (in a playful environment).
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