The first thing that caught my eye in this chapter happened on the first couple of pages. It was the statistics regarding technology use in this generation of kids and teenagers. Some of them were pretty shocking to me. The book states that teenagers are spending 7 hours and 38 minutes of their day using technology. I see it every day, yet it is still surprising to hear an actual number. Does this mean students are reading less? Are they getting enough exercise? Are they experiencing real world, face-to-face interactions with family, friends and society? We live in an age where we are all extremely lucky to have the technology we do at our fingertips. We do not have to spend hours and hours scouring books. We do not have to leave our bedrooms to see whats happening in the world all around us. While all of this is my first thought, hearing that number of almost 8 hours a day really got me thinking...but at what cost? Is it hindering our ability to think for ourselves? Do we not have to try as hard anymore to get what we want? It brings up all these ideas to me. This chapter is big on us progressing more towards a technological world as teachers and seems to have pretty positive views on it...which I do as well. I just can't help but also thinks of these things as I read through those statistics. This is a published paper regarding Pros and Cons of Technology in the Classroom I read that I thought voiced my same opinions very well. The one that stood out to me the most though is that internet and computer use is more prevalent in homes of parents with a higher education. That part made me stop reading..I had to think about it. I believe this statistic is true because people with a higher education might have a more time demanding job or stress level, resulting in them using technology as a distraction or entertainment for the family. It is also more prevalent because higher education correlates with a higher salary-resulting in them being able to afford more luxury in the household. This section of the book was exciting for me because it really got the wheels moving in my brain.
The next section I was very interested in was the paragraph discussing a technology based learning environment . The book talks about these being helpful because it is a way for the teacher to extend the school day past the scheduled hours. It is a way for them to post notes for the class, discussion topics, assignments (where students can also turn in said assignment) and extra reading material to help the student really understand the point. The book also talks about the online learning environment having online tutoring or video clips to go along with the lesson. This idea really got me excited! I loved it! The idea of having a space for a student who might not have understood everything said in class, or maybe just needs a refresher before completing the assignment, sounds so smart to me. This technological advance is one I think is going with the times and expanding on materials students are more fixated with to make the learning environment that much more interactive and helpful. When I become a teacher I would love to have something like this for my students.
The section of this chapter I really want to remember is the part discussing the creation of your digital identity. Your digital identity is used to highlight your knowledge and talents in technology. It is a way to show your personal commitment to learning and innovation. The book states it is a way to set up your front-of-classroom personality. I agree with this because if you are advanced you will stand in front of your class proud and confident using whatever form of technology is needed that day. The three key points in this are:
1)Building a multimedia resume. This is important for applying for a job as a teacher. The school wants to know they are hiring someone who is dedicated to their profession and want to grow and learn along with their students and a resume is a great way to show that right off the bat.
2) Learning resources and teaching tools. This is a great way to keep up to date on all the new learning tools out to the public. An interactive lesson is a great example. It's a way to ensure your teaching stays fresh and new.
3)Modeling technology for students. This says to me that as a teacher in this generation, it is your job to show your students their potential with technology, while also showing the correct way to go about using it. You want to teach your students good morals and ethics using the resources they have online. It is also important to really emphasize all it has to offer them to help with their assignments and research.
In conclusion, what I have taken away from this chapter is that I have a lot to learn. Technology, while I fear of negative effects, has so much to offer to teachers and their students. I want to be able to use technology in so many positive ways for my future students. I want to be able to give every student the opportunity to master the lesson by giving out tools for success using the internet. Our technology is quickly growing and shows no signs of stopping, it will be so important in teaching to keep up with it all. This chapter was a great way to open your eyes to that fact.
Maloy, R., O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc.
