EME Blog Journal 1

Teachers must be able to use technology in the classroom to teach the generation of students that will be using it all their lives unlike the teachers who weren't exposed to it right away. They have to effectively prepare students for their future and they cannot do that if they cannot keep up with recent technology. Students all learn different ways and have different personalities. Some might need more review or one-on-one time than others. Educational technology provides that kind of reinforcement. There are programs and games that will further explain what students may not fully understand.

The ISTE standards for educators consist of the many roles a teacher must take on to effectively teach students of the 21st century. As a teacher, I must also become a learner by exploring new ways to teach and find new ways to improve student learning. I must also show leadership skills that will lead to student success for all types of learners. Teachers will have to show students how they can contribute to this digital world. I will have to find new ways to solve problems and find new resources with the help of my students and fellow educators. An important ISTE standard is to be able to create activities that will engage the students and make them excited to learn. I will have to facilitate learning in independent and group settings using technology. I will track progress with assessments fit for the "digital native" generation and am expected to communicate this progress to the students and their parents. This will allow me to seek ways for the student to improve if there is an area of struggle. One standard that is particularly meaningful to me is the "learner" standard. I won't get everything right and there is always room for improvement. I know that I will have to learn from my colleagues and even my students if I want to be a good educator. One standard that seems outside my current skill set would be the "analyst" standard because I'm not quite sure how to design assessments to accommodate learner needs but it is definitely something I will work on.

"Digital Native" is the perfect term to label today's youth. Most children these days have been exposed to recent technology such as iPad's and smartphones. I grew up with some exposure to technology but not nearly as much as children these days have been exposed. A "digital native" is someone who has been introduced to technology at a very young age and uses this technology daily for entertainment and even for educational purposes. My past teachers, which were mostly digital immigrants, easily adapted to using educational technology for teaching. They were learning how to use new devices at the same time we were. They were the ones to introduce me to the things I use to help me be a successful student. Considering I know almost nothing about technology (I still act like I know what I'm doing and its worked so far), I feel like my students might teach me as much I will be teaching them, and I am excited for it.

Comments

  1. GinnySeptember 5, 2017 at 3:29 PM

    "Fake it, til you make it" can be a useful motto. However, I hope through the activities and experiences in class this semester, you won't have to "fake it" anymore.

    ReplyDelete

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