First, I would like to talk about computers. According to Maloy, Computers are "information - processing machines that manipulates data by following instructions given by human programmers" (2013, pp. 5). Computers have become so technological advanced in just a few short years. From dial up internet to being able to connect your WIFI to a personal hot spot, you can pretty much access the world through your finger tips from just about anywhere. While technology is continuing to grow everyday, the teachers today sometimes forget to keep the students best interest in mind. After watching this "When I become a teacher video," my outlook of teaching with technology changed dramatically.
Secondly, I have decided that a technology- based learning environment is extremely important in the classroom. Looking back to my grade school days, seeing how much a teacher would try to pound in our heads as students is just unbelievable. The amount of information that teachers are required to teach in such short amount of time in the classroom must be difficult and frustrating. If all classes were technology- based there would be no cramming. The idea of students having access to the lesson of the day plus any additional information on the studies is amazing. By having a technology- based classroom you broaden the amount of knowledge the students can gain on every lesson. I also believe that if students can see their work from home, this gives the parents a chance to enhance their children's knowledge on the lesson as well. If students are struggling with a topic or just simply want to show their parents what they are learning in school, they have the capability to do so.
Finally, the amount of must- have technologies in a classroom have increased dramatically in the past ten years. When I was 10 years old and in elementary school, you were lucky if your school could provide the few computers in your classroom, much less every student have one at their desk. Along with computers; some must- have's are tablets, smart boards, wireless internet, and interactive white boards referenced by Maloy et al (2013, pp 12). I am ecstatic about the opportunities students have today. I was totally blown away when I was informed of the "paperless classrooms." I thought the idea of young children being trusted and having knowledge of how to operate the technology was an absurd idea. Upon further reflection and watching the video "Pay Attention" I have had a change of heart. When you think about the less fortunate and the school supplies that are implied to have for your classes, there is just no way that some parents can afford it. The idea of children just coming to school, sitting in the classroom and being able to take notes on a computer is amazing. Not needing pens, pencils, and paper or teachers having to provide them is a huge advantage all the way around. Having this opportunity opens the access of the classroom anywhere you have a computer. This is an addition to being a technology- based classroom.
As young adults who were born in the mid 90's or earlier are now entering into the classrooms as a teacher, it is very important to be up to date on the latest technologies. For the iGeneration, it is more natural to pick up what the newest technology is, and even more natural to be able to help the teachers who are more "old-school" for lack of better words. Technology is something that is not going away and that is what all teachers have to understand, The best way for students to learn is through what they use best and what the use in their everyday lives!
Resources
[jsdt4].(2007, April 4). Pay
Attention. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/aEFKfXiCbLw
Maloy, R.,
O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2013). Transforming Learning with
New Technologies. 2nd
Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc.
[Mike McCormick]. (2009, June 7). When I become a teacher- the remix. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/a7-QIZnCD2Y
