Digital Badge #A - Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Transforming Learning with New Technologies  got me thinking about how different school is today from when I attended.  Teachers can now have a technology-based library right at their fingertips (Maloy, et al, 2014, p. 8). When I read about technology-based libraries and how teachers and students have access to so much information with the click of a mouse, it made me think of when I had to write papers in high school.  I remember the encyclopedia was often a good source for basic information.  We didn’t have a set of Encyclopedia Britannica at home because they 
Photo credit to Stewart on Flickr                                                                                                       were too expensive.  I had to go to the library to  use those.  We did have a set of Funk & Wagnall that my mom purchased at Publix.   Even though it was no Encyclopedia Britannica, I remember thinking that it was cool to be able to look up information on something without having to go to the library.  Now, when I have a question, I can be in the stands at my daughter’s soccer game and “Google” it on my phone.  It’s really amazing how much things have changed.

 Photo credit to Mike Licht on Flickr

Reading Chapter 1 also made me think about how important it is for teachers to understand the iGeneration students that they are currently teaching (Maloy, et al, 2014, p. 3).  This generation of student is very different from past generations.  In order for teachers to be successful, many will need to change the way they teach.  These students are used to constant stimulation, whether it’s from playing online interactive video games or text messaging with two or more friends simultaneously.  The article "Technology Changing How Students Learn, Teachers Say," says research has shown that today’s teachers feel like they have “to work harder to capture and hold students’ attention” (Richtel, 2012).  Standing up and lecturing for an hour is not going to work.  The iGeneration needs to be engaged.  Fortunately, all of the new technology offers many exciting ways to engage students in learning, and I’m looking forward to learning more about it.

Reading about 21^st century learners also got me thinking about how important it is for today’s teachers to be knowledgeable about 21^st century technology (Maloy, et al, 2014, p. 9).  Sure, everyone knows how to use a computer and surf the net (at least I hope so), but that is just the tip of the iceberg.  If teachers are going to be truly prepared to teach these 21^st century learners, they need to be much more knowledgeable about teaching than that.  I especially found TPACK, technological pedagogical content knowledge, interesting.  The video below is a humorous explanation of TPACK.  

 It makes sense that a combination of content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, and technological knowledge is necessary to truly be an effective 21^st century teacher (Maloy, et al, 2014, pp. 10-11).  I chose this class as an elective, and I’m really looking forward to getting more up-to-date on my technology knowledge.  I’m a little surprised that it wasn’t a requirement in order for me to get my professional teaching certificate.  Just kind of makes you wonder……

In conclusion, this first chapter has really made me think about how different the world is today because of technology.  These changes have a direct impact on today’s students, teachers, and classrooms.  I’m excited about learning new ways to use technology in my classroom so that my students will be ready for the world.

Resources

Maloy, R., O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2014). Transforming learning with new technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc. 

perkyprincess007. (2011, October 14). TPACK model for education. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMCnX3F6YC4

Richtel, Matt. (2012, November 1). Technology changing how students learn, teachers say. The New York Times. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/01/education/technology-is-changing-how-students-learn-teachers-say.html?pagewanted=all.