1 The Good and the Bad

I believe that technology is a very important part of the educational experience because it allows teachers to expand techniques and reach students who learn in different ways. However, because of the challenges technology can bring such as financial complications, lack of experiences and adaption, it is also very important to be able to go on with out technology. A critical concern in use of technology is that it is not always the most reliable and many teachers and student do not know how to use it properly. Also, it is difficult for a teacher to monitor a whole class on computers and students may abuse the privilege. While I think that the idea of NETS and other standard regarding knowledge of technology in classrooms is excellent it is even more vital for a teacher to be flexible with or without technology.

Depending on the age of the students I would use technology in a variety of different ways. For older students I plan on using for mostly communication and conveniences. It is much easier to keep track, define and share grades on a excel sheet then it is in a notebook. With older students technology eliminates many excuses that they may come up with because work can be accessed at almost anytime from anywhere. While for younger students I want to be able to utilize Prezi and create more interactive learning environment. In this class I would like to learn how all the different program that can make learning more interactive and also I would enjoy learning how to use blackboard from the teachers side.

I absolutely agree with the label digital native personally I can not imagine growing up without technology and it is something that has now because of constant exposure become natural. The biggest difference that I see between digital natives and immigrants is the reliance and obsession with technology. However from an educational standpoint I think that digital native are much more confident with technology. For example, if a computer isn’t working in a classroom, 96% of the time a student is helping the professor figure out the issue. I don’t think this is because the student knows how to fix it but because they are more comfortable and confident around the technology that they are willing to try. Who knows where technology will take us in the future but I do I think that the technology gap will be much smaller between my students and I because my generation is also digital natives.