Journal 1

Why Technology?

The evolution of technology has been one of the best moves for teachers to instruct and students to collaboratively learn. Outside influences have most defiantly encouraged technology in classrooms as it supports team building and accommodates different styles of learning. Technology offers many benefits for students as they are able to both build their tech skills while simultaneously learning educational information in an interesting manner. Overall, teachers choose technology in the classroom as a means of engagement and likewise students conform to this expectation to add purpose to their education.

ISTE Standards

The ISTE standards have been incorporated to provide students with their own individual voice while focusing on the student driven learning process. These standards advocate for teachers to be a leader, learner, citizen, collaborator, designer, facilitator, and analyst. In my view, being a leader is defiantly something that I am confident about because I think that through my experiences in high school and past events, I have learned that it is necessary to empower others, a skill which I hope to incorporate into my classroom in the future years. However, I think being a citizen is out of reach for me currently because as of now I do not fully know a way that I would inspire students to engage in the digital world where I am not fully engaged personally. Yet, observing the teacher and student learning ISTE standards it is quite notable that teachers are meant to be learners just like their students and learn from student insight. 

Digital Native? 

A digital native refers to a person who is brought up during the age of technological advancements and is therefore familiar with all types of technology. Growing up as a digital native, I have seen many differences between students my age and the way teachers use technology. While teachers sometimes cannot figure out how to use the smart board or projector they rely on us, students who were raised in this digital culture. Although teachers cannot always operate new technologies I would not say it has altered my educational experience, just encouraged team building between student and teacher. Looking forward a couple years when I am a teacher I would see myself as being limited technologically and the new generation of students correcting me, as technology will most likely flourish in the years to come.