I grew up in the late eighties and early nineties and I can remember the use of technology just starting to become more evident then in schools. Learning how to type and playing 'Oregon Trail' on Macintosh computers. Watching science videos that were derived from these giant discs that looked like CD's on steroids. While thinking about my technology background I would like to think that I am about average when describing my familiarity of technology. I feel comfortable using the Microsoft Office applications, surfing the internet, and composing and sending e-mails - everything else is a little foreign to me. I feel like I may have just missed the technology curve in utilizing all it can offer to today's students. I would like to compare my knowledge of the internet, to buying a new car - the value decreases the moment you drive out of the lot. I have been out of school now, or have driven off the lot, for quite some time and I feel as if my knowledge declined in technology, or my value has decreased. I think technology is great, and I am always looking to have the latest and greatest gadgets but I feel as if I could become more savvy in what it has to offer, other than just the gadgets - like software enhancements, programming, creating websites, writing blogs, etc....
After reading the article "Four Takes on Technology" and watching the video "Learning to Change - Change to Learn" I was able to take away a couple things. Technology can be used to gain more than one perspective on a specific moment in history. When I was in school, we used one text book and that was all. Today, you can still use a text book as a guideline but then look at narratives (from search engines) that form different perspectives on any given event.
School trips were commonly taken annually throughout my elementary/high school career. These trips we taken to local places such as Philadelphia, Washington D.C., New York, and Boston - cities that have a rich history. With today's technology, students are able to interact with other students all over the world. Not only can this help with communication barriers, it can physically show students what life is like for other kids around the world.
I was fortunate enough to grow up in a community that never was deprived of having the best materials to work with in school. However, I am aware of the callenges that some schools face with lack of funds. This article shows a way in which teachers can be creative in using technology to reach all students. Anything is possible as long as you are able to be creative and think of new ideas to benefit the students learning experience.
In being creative, you must do so with whatever resources you have, and what better resource than the students you are teaching. Today's children are influenced on technology, so why not use them to better your understanding? Their use of Facebook, Twitter, and all other types of technology can benefit you as an educator if you can be creative enough to derive a plan to use them to educate yourself. As the student evolves, I believe we as educators must evolve as well.
After reading the coarse outline and skimming through the coarse syllabus I am very excited and eager to begin my quest for technology domination. I seem to have a different outlook on school now than I did when I completed my undergrad work (maybe because I am the one fitting the bill this time). I am more hungry for new information and I am looking for anyway to make myself a better educator and person.
