Reflective Blog #2

Eductional technology is defined as basically using technology in the classroom to advance/enhance a students method of learning. In a sense it is getting the learner off of his/her seat and on their feet to stimulate higher thinking processes. Technology forces the learner to be multi-faceted in how they are able to process the information that is presented to them at a given time. By exposing students to technology it enables them to begin receiving the training that they will need in order to operate and compute systems on a global level.
I feel that the YouTube video was synonomous with what I have been telling my students for the longest. They have to have a different mind set about their own education. We can want it for them and give them the tools that they need, but unless they make up in their mind that they want something different it doesn't really matter what we do. The other thought that came to me after watching the first YouTube video was relating to the whole digital divide debate. This is going to forever be a challenge to schools that are in low income areas. That's why I think that I should show this video to my students so that they can be better informed with what life's going to be like for them. This video needs to be shown to the parents as well. I don't think that non-educated parents sometimes realize the demand that will be placed upon their children in the near future and that if they don't begin to make sure that their children are well equipped with the skills to compete with the rest of the industrialized world, then they will find themselves worse off than the generations that were before them.
The second YouTube video "Pay Attention" presented various ways in which one could
incorporate the use of technology into their classroom. The problem I found with some of these are the mentality that the school board has towards the possession of such devices let alone the use of them on campus. In order for said devices to be used in the implementation of curricula the powers that be must change their perceptions about them first. I am all for using technology in classroom, but I must also comply with the laws of the school districts as well. If some if the manufacturers of this products would demonstrate the educational value that these products could/do have this would speed up the implimentation of the technologies that were mentioned in the video.

Reflection Blog #1

As an educator in 2010 it is important to stay abroad with the latest innovative changes in the field of education and technology. The field of education has just evolved in 2010 where students no longer have to depend on basic textbook learning. And,teachers no longer have to rely on settling on referring to textbook curriculum as their only means of the lesson delivery. We live in a microwave society were we want to expidite or complete things in a timely manner. Educational technology, has allowed teachers a new way of delivery of lessons and the students and interactive way of receiving and retaining the knowledge they need to be successful in classroom.

The purpose of education is to prepare a students from preschool to a senior in high school with the academics, life skills, and higher order thinking skills needed to develop successful productive members of our society. The role of the learner in education primary focus should be on retaining the information through various ways of interactive learning. The role of the teacher should be committed to continuing education and constantly using the philosophy of a reconstructivist. It is important to embrace change when you are teacher, you cannot teach the same way you taught ten years ago, because the students are not the same students you had ten years ago. Teachers, are now competing with various forms of technology that students use at home on a daily basis. Students have games like WII, Playstation 3, XBOX 360, MP3,IPODS, and Cell Phones. Students are immersed with such technology, so when they come to school teachers have to think of new and inventive ways to keep the students interest and attention when they are delivering their lessons.

My objective , as a teacher is to build relationships with all my students find out what interest them and build on that knowledge that I obtain from their interests. By obtaining, this information I can implement the delivery of my instruction through technology that will keep the interest of my learners. I expect, all my students, colleagues,and myself to be committed to enhancing our knowledge of technology as it advances through the years.

Educational technology is here to stay and as educators we should embrace it daily through implementing it in our daily activities in educating and motivating students to learn through incorporating instruction through technology.

One of the potential uses I see for blogging from the standpoint of a future media specialist is allowing the patrons to use it to comment on new features that are being offered in the media center as well as for reviewing new books that have been recently purchase for the center . As mentioned in "Educational Blogging" this will serve as a platform to encourage students to share their views about particular items that they have read and even comment on the views that others have about similar reads. Kind of like an informal book club.
In response to the question pertaining to have we met this potential, I would have to say no. My reasons for this is because there are some who have not had the privilege of being exposed to the use of such media resources because of lack of knowledge and familiarity with the process involved in blogging. Particularly speaking, those from low socioeconomic backgrounds and those who are still thinking that students learning technology is something that is not as important as taking/passing standardized test. The thing that is preventing some from doing this is the way in which we view technology and its importance in the role of the children of today being able to compete for the jobs of the future. Some people are threatened by technology because of a fear of the unknown. While others are preoccupied with just supplying students with knowledge that is required of them in the specific grade that they are in.

The area that stood out to me the most from November's article was the fifth one pertaining to Automating vs. Informating. Mr. November made some excellent points about "how education's new business is building a capacity for learning. This is important because in this economy it essential for the whole family to learn skills that will enable them to be marketable for them to earn a living. Also it is key that if the whole family is more technologically savy it will spark an on going interest for parents to make sure that their children get all that they need to be lifelong learners.