"When I was in school, we walked to the library to check out books." "When I was in school, we passed notes in class to talk to our friends." "When I was in school..."
This past week I have repeatedly found myself thinking, "I sound like my mother, maybe even my grandmother" as big flashing lights went off in my head and I was smacked with the reality, that I have been naive to the capabilities of technology within the classroom. Just last week I thought the role of technology was to be a supplement to learning and a tool to make information accessible to all. I still agree with those thoughts; however, I now recognize, as a Digital Immigrant, I was limiting the role of technology within the classroom because of my own experiences.
As a soon-to-be teacher, I face the reality that I need to "get with the times" and create a learning environment conducive to the digital age our students are growing up in. I now recognize that social media should be exploited in the classroom not avoided. What a great opportunity to teach students how to communicate effectively and appropriately, in a context that is applicable, in and out of the classroom. Social media can be a great platform for teaching social responsibility and drawing awareness to the impact of an online presence. I think it can be easy to think of a person's social life separate from their academic or professional life, when in reality, the two collide via social media. It is important to teach student's to recognize that connection as they enter the 'real world'.
#Comments4Kids Blog Post
#Comments4Kids Blog Post
I can really relate to this feeling! I viewed my social media life and my teaching life as having a giant cement wall between them. "Back in my day" is a saying that feels pretty relevant to me. My parents were some of the first people in our circle to own computers. My mom and dad had us take computer classes that took place on a black screen with green writing, to teach us coding in elementary school. We even had an old Texas Instrument computer that used giant cassettes that looked like VHS tapes. My two major employment opportunities since college graduation required me to master medical center computer based systems. Even though all of my parents efforts to ensure that our family would stay current on technology and its uses, I catch myself thinking that my learning is done. MIT is forcing me to move forward by finding my technological zone of proximal development.
ReplyDeleteI found some resources online to help me stay ahead of the game as a teacher:
http://blog.mimio.com/15-free-tech-training-resources-for-teachers
I think the most important thing is that we stay aware of our need to stay current in order to reach today's students.
It's great to know others can relate! Thanks for sharing the blog, I will definitely check it out!
DeleteI can relate. There was no internet when I stated high school. I think what's good for us, growing up in that transitory age, is that were able to learn and adapt quickly. Social media will be the tip of the ice berg, or a jumping off point, into bring tech into the classroom for you.
ReplyDeleteOk. Since we started this program, I've thought you were infinitely cooler than I am. I am so glad to read that other, much cooler, people feel the same struggle. I am constantly thinking about how old I would sound if I said aloud what I'm thinking. Things like, "Well, we used a dictionary. You know, it used to be a book," or, "I miss card catalogs." Hello, I am my great grandmother. At age 35. Headdesk. Glad I am in good company ;)
ReplyDeleteBut, all joking aside, I think this stuff is so exciting! I've never been particularly enamored by technology but I am really looking forward to implementing it in meaningful and interesting ways for my students. I loved this class and wish we had more technology days scattered throughout our learning.
Ha, I love it Sara! I am not sure how cool I am, but I can definitely relate to the struggle. I would say I am very forward thinking in some ways of technology and very much the opposite in others. I look forward to swapping ideas of how we can implement technology in a meaningful way for our students!
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