Digital Blog Post #A - Chapter 1

There is no doubt about it that kids lives these days are controlled by technology, I am just as guilty of being on my electronic device a majority of the time, just as anyone else. There is no escaping the fact that technology rules our world, and helps us in more ways than one. Chapter one begins by explaining the statistics of how many children are using technology today compared to before the 90's. We must ask ourselves though, is that really such a bad thing? I know many teachers are hesitant when it comes to including new technology into their plans, but in reality technology will only help better things in the classroom. One concept I enjoyed reading about is the Technology-Based Library, I have included a link to Florida Southwestern State College's online library as an example of how helpful this can be. Personally I have been to our online library more than I have to the one on campus, you have all the resources you could imagine at the click of a button! I would definitely incorporate using an online library in my classroom, simply because it is easier to help the kids find things, it is easier for them to access, and it eliminates the issue of a shortage of books, or the child losing a book.

Secondly, while I was reading the chapter, a certain sentence caught my eye, and really made me think about things. "In today's digital age, teachers have much more to teach than just the basics of reading, writing, math, and science" (Pg.9). This could not be any more true, because many careers in the world today require you to have experience in technology. Our world today is technology based and they will need this knowledge to be successful in the future. If we start children out early in technology, I believe it will make their lives easier in the future. I think teachers need to incorporate the use of blogs, digital medias, information sharing sites, social networking, and interactive technologies into their lessons. Children will begin to lose interest, they will get bored just sitting in the class, reading a paper book, and writing on paper. We as educators should be striving to keep them interested and excited to learn, so I do believe the corporation of these technologies in the class will keep them interested. I came across this video online and it includes a teacher and representation of a classroom where the kids and teachers are demanding a high tech classroom. The teacher explains that she could just stand up and tell them answers, but with technology they have the ability to find them and discover the answers on their own. They are more involved and care more about learning when they are able to use technology. (Note this video is from 2012 so imagine the demand for technology in the classroom today.)

Lastly, I came across a section about building your digital identity as a teacher. I believe that this is extremely important as a teacher, you should create a digital resume and a teacher should learn how to use these tools. As a teacher you are a role model for your kids, and you should show that you know what you're doing and you are interested in the kids lives. When I become an educator, I plan to create personal pages for my resumes, websites, podcasts, and many other things to show my kids that I am up to date with the world and that I know what I am doing. I want them to believe in me, and trust that I can help them learn these tools so they can then succeed in the digital world.

In conclusion, I firmly stand by integrating technology in classrooms. It shows better results in children and their learning outcomes, they show more interest in the class, they are able to discover and learn on their own, and it makes things easier and simpler in the classroom. Technology is taking over the world, and it should be taking over the classrooms too. The children need this in their future, and they should be able to have access to technology. Digital learning has become a new standard in school along with reading, writing, math, and science.

Resources:

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.

http://fsw.edu/library

WLWT (2012, February 1). Students Say Technology Helps In Classroom. Retrieved January 24, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAgvw7tj6SM