Tuesday, August 27th 2013.
Becoming an e-Teacher.
Focus question: "How do new technologies create new opportunities for teaching and learning?"
If not everyone learns the same way, then why not tend to those needs? To be a teacher I believe you need to be able to distinguish all your student's levels of comprehension, and rates. Not everyone learns at the same speed or the same way, so by the use of technology it incorporates a variety of ways for students to learn. I haven't realized how we really are living in a digital world until I began this class. It all just seemed almost natural, (once I got the hang of the new device).
Speaking of new devices, I had read about the "Tech Tool, Ultraportable Laptop Computers," coincidentally, I am on a laptop right now. These are great tools for educators and especially for students!
If we could give each student their own laptop they would be able to access helpful learning tools to meet their specific needs as an individual, within the classroom and not feel embarrassed to be identified as a "Slow learner." So by having a laptop to take notes on or conduct research in class the students can partake at their own rate.
Also in this chapter I read that different races have a significant difference in the overall use of the computer. If it's the 21st century, we are all created (and now legally) equal to one another then why the difference in statistics? It may be due to the different financial classes we still hold, and on that note being the reason why some kids aren't doing as well in school because to obtain technology it also comes with a price. That is why I feel as though it should be supplied by the school, intended for school. (Just a side note on the school supplying them, they should allow maybe during lunch time for students to play and socialize, just to keep from wondering off during class time; we have to keep in mind students are kids first).
I would have to consider myself as an "Inexperienced experimenters," because I do have a social networking site, and I do use the internet to broaden my horizon for research. (Honestly I'm too lazy to lazy and wouldn't know where to begin at an actual library). Implementing the use of laptops for students would allow me as a teacher become a student again, learning new material. I didn't have my own computer in my classes, so to me if I had, maybe I would have taken better notes, or have had a better understanding of technology. Indicated by this textbook, we are living with Generation M, in the digital world; with that being said I can only assume that these kids would know their way around technology devices better than I.
Another topic from the text I want to touch on is motivating students, if we give them their very own computer it will give them a sense of importance, and probably engage more in learning activities. This will give teachers another opportunity to use new technology as well as students learning in a new way. When we teach to the way they think is "Fun" the students will associate their studies with the everyday use of the internet and newer technologies.
Over all I feel incorporating the use of technology in classrooms is a wonderful idea! Technology is absolutely essential in today's fast pace world, teachers don't have time to do things on paper and spend time in libraries researching topics for their next class. We as teachers need devices to store all of our information so it doesn't get lost, and carrying around mounds of papers just doesn't seem necessary if we can incorporate the use of a laptop. The same applies for students, why cause early back problems by lugging around pounds of books when it can all be accessed through the internet.
