Can Technology Be a Bad Thing?

• In 2017, why is technology still a class kids go to to learn to use a tool and not an integrated part of the lessons we teach?

This is something I always question! I think that education is so behind in how technology is used that, it's still taught because that's what we've done for the past 10-20 years. Many schools don't want change, even though we always want what's new and what's the best. In my district we are blessed with technology, but it's just given to teacher without any idea or rhyme with how to use it. As a younger teacher, I am a digital native so it isn't hard for me do research and figure it out for myself, when some teachers just don't understand how to use it except for a replacement for a pencil and paper or for a book.

• How can integrating technology into our teaching enrich instruction and help promote learning?

I think that it can really utilize those skills that the kids already have. They are experts and we shouldn't hinder that ability because of our insecurities when it comes to using technology. iPads and computers offer so many new and different ways to teach different subjects that we need to start taking advantage of them. Our jobs as teachers is to prepare our students for their future. Their future is going to include careers where this technology is used and they may even be pioneers in new ways that it's used. When we are behind as schools, we are putting our children behind. 

Technology can make lessons more engaging if they are creating videos and learning in a way that they create. By fostering these abilities we can really see our students shine.

Video in the Classroom

Questions:
a. Based on Prensky’s descriptions, are you a digital native or a digital immigrant? Why do you think so?

After the reading, I have concluded that I am a digital native. I grew up surrounded by technology, not as much as kids today, but enough that i remember it always being there. As a child we had computers, tv's and game systems at home and at school. We were fortunate to have dial-up internet at home while I was a young kid, and I remember that being very special. 

b. How are you equipped to teach the “digital natives” in your classroom? 

I believe the first and most important thing is to have an open mind! I love learning new things and I want my students to have the experience that comes with the new things. Technology is always new and fun and my kids love it when I introduce them to a new game or app we can use to learn. 

I think that by also being a digital native it makes me more open to learning. Once I find a new app or get a new "toy" I want to explore. I don't take the time to read directions or look things up I just discover things for myself. Once I find new ideas I can share them with my students and coworkers. I think my students are the same way. I don't really have to teach them how to use an iPad or a camera, it's something that they just know or can learn by watching me one time. 

I am blessed to have a set of class iPads, AppleTV, and a SMART board in my room. My students and I utilized those tools everyday. They would much rather build a vocabulary match on their iPad than write definitions from a book, like I did growing up. It's taking what you have and using it to fit their interests. I'm reading blogs, and looking ideas up all the time for new and innovative ways to use my devices. By doing this I think I'm speaking their language and making learning fun.

c. What further steps could you take to learn the “language” of multimedia?

I think that there are always things that I can learn and do better when it comes to technology. Just this summer I found several new apps that will be great for my new group of kindergarteners. I want to start creating Google resources to use for my students that help with sight word and letter recognition. I would like to learn more about coding and what I can do with 5 year olds in my classroom to teach them the basics of that subject. 

So much is out there that is a click a way, I just need to take time to do my research so that I can create lessons for my students. 

d. What steps can you take to keep students safe from undesirable social video content?

I love to use YouTube in my classroom. I think there are tons of great videos for introducing subjects that you are going to teach. I teach using themes and if I can't somehow bring it into my classroom, I will show a video clip.
These are some ways I keep all of the video content safe:
•Preview all videos before watching
• I also always use Safe Share for my videos. I can input my video link and it automatically cleans it up, just in case there is something inappropriate hiding within
https://safeshare.tv/
•There are some videos that I want to share, but only a few minutes of the content is appropriate. When that happens I use Ed Puzzle. This site allows me to clip videos for viewing in my classroom. It is even great for independent videos that you may assign.
https://edpuzzle.com/