Journal Post #2

Chapter 2 Understanding Educational Technology Issues and Trends

Focus Question:   How can teachers more closely connect learning to the experiences of the digital natives   who are their students? 

Students and Technology 

           Students in this era are technology raised. Starting from a very early age children are surrounded by technology. There are countless websites and apps that children can use from any age the parent seems fit. Some of these websites include Disney Junior, PBS, and National Geographic. Children who are just entering pre-school even get individual time on computers, playing games that the teacher has deemed educational. As children grow older they use technology every single day. This could include texting, social networking or getting on the internet to do research for homework. Technology is something that students use every day. Not all of what students use it for is educational but students now may know even more (technology wise) than some older teachers 

Teachers integrating technology

           Teachers are doing a better job now more than ever before when it comes to integrating technology into the classroom. Back when I was in elementary school if we had a project to do it then it was all done on a poster board with markers and colored pencils. Now teachers can have students do so much more. The students can create a PowerPoint, a Prezi, or stick with the old fashioned way that is a poster board. Getting information for projects is easier than ever for teachers and students the only issue that teachers need to make sure students know is to check the credibility of the site and to use citation. Classrooms all over the U.S are posting homework online, having students do research papers, and using SmartBoards in the classroom.

Photo credit to: Old Shoe Woman on Flickr

 Tech Tool 2.1 

            Using apps for educational purposes is becoming more and more common. I'm currently tutoring my boyfriend in math so he can get his GED. There were tons of apps that we were able to download onto his phone that listed out questions and after you gave your answer it told you if you were right or wrong. If you were wrong it then explained how to do the problem correctly. This type of studying is phenomenal. Anyone can study anywhere and it is easily accessible. There are tons of apps that students can find that can help them further their education. Almost every student has an android phone or a smart phone and apps are easily downloadable on to these items. Some classrooms even supply the student with a tablet during class hours if all their work is complete. 

Summary 

         All in all education is growing in generation. Teachers now more than ever need to find new and creative ways to make education interesting for their students so that they stay in school. Some schools are boring and are not interesting for students at all. If teachers integrate something that students use everyday into their daily routine then the classroom wouldn't seem as boring. Students now are becoming the teacher when it comes to technology so teachers need to make sure they are at the top of their game when it comes to learning new things. 

Resources:

Textbook - Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.