Focus Question: What roles does technology play in the lives
of students and teachers?
In the world of education, technology has opened the door to
new and fun ways to teach and to learn through different types of technology
devices. Let’s face it, you cannot even go to a store, restaurant, and so on
without seeing people hands and eyes focus on their electronic devices whether
it is smartphones, laptops, tablets, or other types of eReaders. To most people,
it is just everyday life. In fact, a lot of us could not even function without
are technology devices. Technology has given people the ability to communicate
such as emails, texting, face to face communication through a technology
device.
The roles technology plays in the lives of both students and
teachers. For students, I think technology has greatly improved organization
which ultimately leads to more success, educationally and otherwise. Technology
allows you to create a schedule or a list of things to do and then be reminded
of when to do it, or that you haven't accomplished it yet. I also love programs
like task manger or calendar app with this my schedule can easily be shared
with others in my family and work colleges. When plans suddenly change,
technology has allowed us to make necessary phone calls so that more time is
not wasted.
For teachers, technology is like a teacher aid, and makes a
teacher life easier. Nowadays, teachers use technology when making their
lessons plans and they incorporate technology techniques into their learning style.
It gives their students a chance to enhance their learning by seeing the
content in a visual setting which makes student’s feel that there more involve
with the discussion through different programs and devices such as PowerPoints,
webinars, online learning tools, digital photos and videos, Smart boards, ect.
New programs and apps are being made every day with new and easy ways to help
students learn in all subjects.
Tech Tool 1.1: Tablets, Smartphones, and Laptops.
As a college student entering into the working class it
would be in the best of interest to get familiar with technology. Mainly
computers and tablets and also learning there formats along with learning how
to use the apps. App is short for application which can be downloaded to almost
any Apple or Android device. After reading the article from the tech tool section
in the textbook which it discusses different types of technology that could be
used to help teachers perform in a more organized way and could lead their
students into a new world of learning with devices such as, tablets,
smartphones, and laptops.
Tablets are light and portable it makes it a breeze to
search for document, apps, and other types of learning tools which you can
search the web as well as read textbooks. However in a classroom setting
teachers and students would use these devices to do research for reports,
lesson plan makers, and dictionaries apps just like other devices such as
smartphones and laptops. When it comes to picking the right devices it all
depends on what profession you are in for example some people may use one device
when others may use all three devices.
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| Photo Credit to Holtsman on Flickr |
Summary & Connection:
After reading this chapter I now understand what it means to
be a teacher of the 21st century and how technology is a great tool
for educators. As a future teacher, I have learned new techniques that I can retain
so when the time comes. I can present these skills to my students. In order for
me to learning theses skills I had to first find out what the textbook was
referring to “new teachers of the 21st century” (Maloy, O’Loughlin, Edwards, & Woolf, 2013). By doing so, I have learned that computer
technologies and other programs such as web 2.0 are great tools for creating fun
learning actives great for all students. Another aspect of 21st
century teaching is bringing in digital and electronic assets such as students
using different apps for enhancing their learning. I also learned what building
a digital identity as a teacher. It refers to what technological knowledge and
skills that a teacher already possess. In which a teacher can learn and add
more knowledge and technology skills to their resume. It makes you wonder how
people lived and learned before technology came into this world.
References
Maloy, R., O’Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc.
