Blog Journal 2

 I have gone through 11 years of schooling using some type of technology ranging from Chrome books to iPads to a Mac book to even a phone in some cases, and I can definitely say I have my comfort apps that I resort to for projects and assignments. The shift from high school to college and getting my own Macbook computer was a big change and learning curve since I was so used to the technology I was using all 4 years of high school: a Chrome book. One of the harder tools to pick up was MS Word simply because of how unfamiliar I was with it. I have always used Google Docs and know how to use everything on there. It is very comfortable for me and I resort to it for basically everything since I have been using it since the 4th grade. Being so familiar with Google Docs almost makes it harder to use MS Word because I get a lot of the commands and buttons mixed up and then get frustrated when I cannot remember how to do something on MS Word that is so easy for me on Google Docs. 

Reading the ISTE standards for Educators, one definitely stood out to me the most, as it relates and connects with my teaching philosophy the most. This standard is the 2.4 Collaborator standard. The purpose of this standard is to help educators learn how to collaborate effectively through practicing, discovering, and sharing ideas and resources with colleagues and students. This stood out to me because I see so much value in the collaboration of teacher and student. I think it is so important because it builds relationships and fosters a more comfortable, helpful, and encouraging environment for students to learn in. Especially with technology being so much bigger with every new generation, I think collaboration with students and mutual understanding of technologies will definitely be beneficial for every teacher and classroom. 

Reading about the term "digital native" and the concept around it, I am very intrigued. I think assuming new generations will be born with knowledge is a little excessive though because I firmly believe that would depend on the way you are brought up and raised as a kid. I see this through the kids I babysit, some of them have iPads and are allowed on them whenever and wherever and some of them do not have any personal devices and the TV is the only exposure to technology. I see the difference between these children and very much do consider the ones with personal devices to be digital natives. I say this because they even help me out and teach me how to use certain apps and features when I literally have to read them bedtime stories because that is how young they are. It amazes me, but I very much see it becoming the new norm. I even saw it when I shadowed in classrooms first semester of freshman year, the kids used class dojo and knew exactly how to work it and how to troubleshoot issues with the internet, getting logged out, etc. and it really amazed me because at their age (second-grade students) I had such little exposure to the internet, let alone the knowledge of how to use these platforms without any help necessary. As a teacher, I want to utilize technology because it will be the new norm and it genuinely is very helpful in aiding with lessons, but I also want to incorporate lots of group work and pen-and-paper assignments so that these kids' social skills also develop and they aren't reliant on technology and glued to their devices. 




Comments

  1. You're my equal-opposite when it comes to Word and Google Docs; I've only tried Google Docs once before, and I've always preferred Word to it. I'm surprised that Google Docs and Word would have similar commands that cause different things to occur, and I commend you for the effort you're putting in to learn the software. As someone who likes to stay in her comfort zone technologically, I cant even imagine how frustrating it must be, but I think it's awesome that working so hard.

    Your babysitting example was extremely insightful; I agree with your point that just because you were born at a certain time doesn't mean that you automatically have knowledge of technology. But I also agree with the fact that those who are natives are much more digitally literate. My twelve year old sister occasionally explains to me how to do certain things on my computer (she already knew some digital shortcuts that I had no idea existed), and it's a little jarring that someone so much younger than me knows more in certain areas. But that thought goes with the standard that you discussed, that being a collaborator. Its just as essential for us to learn from those younger than us as it is vice versa.

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