The video that stuck out to me was the updated version of the video: Did You Know? I remember my first day of LAI 414. It was class necessary for my ungraduate minor in Education. My teacher pulled up Youtube.com, and we watched a similar video. I was blown away by the information presented. And yet, just 3 years later, I am watching an updated version of the video and I am just as surprised at the information.
I am on my third laptop. I text more than I make phone calls. I have had an instant messaging screen name for 11 years. I consider myself fairly up-to-date with technology when compared to most, however the information in the video shows me that I am far from the most expert! I am 23 years old, and I probably send about 200-300 text messages a month. But a teenager, under 10 years younger than than I, sends nearly 1000? I am truly amazed! Have
I turned into my parents already?? Am I so distant from the students I will soon be teaching!
In many ways, no, but in other ways, yes! I have slowly been coming to terms with the explosive progress of technologies. I would be lying if I said I wasn't intimidated by the fact that younger generations will be at the forefront of new technologies. I consider myself young, but I already I have already realized that my students will probably always know much more than I when it comes to new technologies.
While I am still unsure the exact steps I will take, I want to take advantage of my students knowledge. I want them to keep my updated on what is new or interesting to them. I remember teachers who seems so resistant to new technologies. My grandparents never used the VCR we bought them. I had an English professor, just three years ago, who refused to use email. I never want to be that closed off! I am taking this class for exactly that reason. I know that there is something to be said for traditional practices and there are dangers associated with jumping into new technologies blindly, but that video showed me quickly progress is being
made. I must make conscious efforts to stay abroad of trends and shifts in technological progress. Teachers can becomes somewhat isolated in their classrooms, so it is important to step outside of the classroom and interact with technology in the same ways students do.
Yes, technology keeps changing exponentially, but it is not always necessary to use the very latest apps. What is most important is to choose wisely those that really meet your teaching objectives. That said, it is helpful to belong to networks of teachers on the cutting edge so that when you feel a need to add something new to your teaching, you know where to look to see what has worked for others.
ReplyDeleteDr. Burgos