Digital Blog Post #A

In Chapter one there is a section about tech tools. It goes in depth with each electronic that our students are using or have at some point come in contact with. Throughout this class I’d like to learn new ways to incorporate smart phones and tablets such as iPod touches in my future lesson plans. On January 20, 2016 I sat down and spoke with Jason Caissie of Dunbar High School about some apps and or ideas; Kahoot, Google Classroom, Canvas, Microsoft Office, Learn Key and Online Expert are just a few ways to expand learning on a smart phone or tablet. He then sent me a youtube link which is right below the paragraph to further explain what google classroom is and how it works. From my understanding it is a major tool in the Lee County School District. So if you’ve never heard of this I would check it out. If you’d also like to read the opinions of the students on how they feel about incorporating cellphones click HERE.

Essentially what I’d like to learn and develop further is my Technology based Learning Environment. I feel that my classroom will probably be technology based for two reasons; one of them being because the technology program at Dunbar High School interests me and the second being because I was raised in a more tech friendly home. I think seeing as how I myself am so submerged in technology between my online classes and my own social media life. It will offer me an opportunity to be on their level without seeming like their peer. By expanding this portion of my knowledge I feel I will be playing on my biggest strength being my knowledge of technology and after developing my knowledge of the tools above I can only offer the students more ways to learn. It will allow my students who are readers to dig deeper and my student who are hands-on will be able to divulge in the lesson plan further than just reading the chapter.

Another Concept I’m interested in Digital Identity. After reading this section multiple times it still sort of baffled me. I mean I have social media, an email and I know how to use multiple mediums of technology isn’t my identity pretty evident? Absolutely not! Every day we research more and divulge more into the world of the World Wide Web and even download that new app we are developing our identity that much further. Interestingly enough there are dozens of sites to help you see a map out or as Cat Coode refers to it as our Binary Tattoo. Most importantly what this helped me realize is. Less is more. When I want to post about my personal life I need to remember that my future students may see that. Those pictures from the party last night? Yes, they may find that, but besides students finding those possible employers could find it too. It’s so important for my generation teachers or not to realize this concept before it’s too late. I think by understanding this concept I will realize how important it is to keep my personal life private but also teach my students that the only real information that should be shared is their knowledge at least until they can grasp the concept of telling need to know information and gossip or rants.

Essentially I feel all these will be steps I want to take to reach a closer bond with my students without becoming the “friend”. I’ll be able to use my gifts such as type a whole blog on my iPhone to good use and teach them how to apply their Microsoft office skills to their smartphones but also be able to test their knowledge with websites like Kahoot. I want to explain to them that these little devices in their hands were made for so much more than snapchatting their best friend. I want to show them what I learned growing up. Although a majority of my adolescences we had some form of social media I was only allowed to use the computer at home for education purposes i.e. educational games or research. I with social media being said I want to explain this less is more concept so I may save them from the lesson I’ve had to learn and show them how social media can be positive and safe.

 

Technology In the Classroon [Personal interview]. (2016, January 20).

Coode, C. (2015). Binary Tattoo. Retrieved January 24, 2016, from http://www.binarytattoo.com/about-us/

Mayer, A. (2014, September 05). Getting Started with Google Classroom. Retrieved January 24, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIfXzJMLsMQ

Nagel, D. (2013, May 08). Report: Students Use Smart Phones and Tablets for School, Want More -- THE Journal. Retrieved January 24, 2016, from https://thejournal.com/articles/2013/05/08/report-students-use-smart-phones-and-tablets-for-school-want-more.asp

Pinette, B. (2014, September 08). New Study Reveals U.S. Students Believe Tablets Are Game Changers in Learning and Student Engagement. Retrieved January 24, 2016, from http://www.pearsoned.com/news/new-study-reveals-u-s-students-believe-tablets-are-game-changers-in-learning-and-student-engagement/