Post #A-EME2040

Digital Blog Post #A-EME2040

The authors reference in the chapter the use of the internet, which seems obvious:  every desk has a computer on it but it never occurred to me the vast uses.  I never really gave it much thought, just thinking, "a computer is there to check email and enter grades," until I read the chapter and was enlightened by the possibilities.  Before technology teachers relied heavily, almost solely on the issued textbook for lessons and materials, now the possibilities are endless.  With the use of the internet online lesson plans are readily available both written and in video format from sources like Teacher Tube.

In "Becoming a 21st Century Teacher" the authors discuss the importance of building your digital identity.  With each teacher having a different "digital indentity" it offers different classroom atmospheres and approaches, which helps keep the school experience fresh for the students.  While some technology is standard in each class, such as a smart board, the individual teachers' digital identities can vary from class to class with he use of tablets, laptops, video and smart phones to name a few.    We need to be constantly learning more about technology as teachers in order to diversify our classrooms.

I have had a crash course on inside and outside the classroom learning activities now having a son in middle school.  Technology has become essential because as parents it is the only way we have any access or knowledge to what is happening in school, both accidemically and from an extra curricular standpoint.  Students need to use their smartphones to access assignments and announcement, and parents need the internet to monitor and stay on top of grades.  Just like FSW using Canvas, my childrens' Middle School uses Edmodo to create a learning community and to force the students to responsibly manage their educations.

In conclusion, I am continuously learning through experience as a parent and now through this class, not only the practical applications, but the importance of the use of technology in education.  Being in the technology era and the emergence of the "iGeneration," learning what my digital identity is and expanding it is vital to future success for both myself, and the students in order to maximize potential.

References:

Maloy, R., O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc.