Reflection 2 CDK's Education Technology Place

I enjoyed the article, Should Schools Go Back to 1983 Technology?, by Liz Dwyer.  While reading the article, I tried to envision technology in the ‘80’s compared to technology today.  I have heard stories from my parents about typewriters, library research, dictionaries (no spell-check), letter writing, and corded phones but I think it takes living without the last 28 year’s of technological advancements to fully realize how different things were for them.  This article made me thankful for the technology that is part of my everyday life.  I realize that I can survive without this technology from the last twenty-eight years but I could not function effectively in today’s society without it.  Many class requirements include online research, online testing, and/or online communication.  I would lose touch with many of my friends without the use of Text and Instant Messaging.  It would be crazy to be the only one without current technology and I think my friends would become quickly annoyed with my lack of technology. 

The article made me realize how much time I spend online or on my Android instead of talking to people.  With the new technology, I usually communicate through my devices rather than face-to-face or even voice-to-voice. 

I think the technology experiment for this class was valuable.  It made these students realize how much time they spend on their devices and it forced them to communicate more directly.  It also provided additional time for them to do other activities and spend time with their families.  When I am a teacher, I hope to conduct a similar experiment or at least use it as a topic of discussion.  I will want my students to appreciate technology but I will also want them to be able to learn and communicate without depending on technological devices. 

Although the use of technology can save us a lot of time in some areas such as research and communication, it can also consume our time by offering us entertainment, social networking, and simply just browsing.  Our devices seem to become our friends and can take the place of time spent with others.  I have known several gamers that simply lose touch with most of their friends because they become obsessed with their games.  I will keep this article in mind as I go through my tech-filled life and try to make certain I never let technology replace direct contact with others.

http://www.cyndidannerkuhn.info/CDK/Home.html

Reflection 1 Technology Bits Bytes & Nibbles!

After reviewing CDK’s Education Technology Place website, I felt a sense of urgency to learn how to incorporate technology in the classroom.  The video, “I Need My Teachers To Learn 5.0” made me realize that when I am a teacher, I will have to keep learning and stay current with technology.  This video brought to mind several of my high school teachers that were stuck in the past and used old teaching methods.  These teachers just didn’t get it and wondered why the students were frustrated or did not excel in their class.  My best teachers were the ones who embraced technology and used it in not only their teaching, but also our assignments. 

The YouTube videos, “When I Become a Teacher” and “Think Different” had a huge emotional impact on me.  The contrast between the two videos is enormous.  “When I Become a Teacher” made me feel sad because I have known teachers exactly like those depicted in the video.  They simply do not care and their way is the only way.  Immediately after watching “When I Become a Teacher”, I watched “Think Different” and felt the inspiration these teachers/leaders have made on the world.  It made me want to be better and to be like them.  It made me realize that, as a teacher, you can’t simply accept the status quo.  A teacher’s calling is to make a difference, to impact lives and leave a legacy.  I can only hope that I am just crazy enough to help change the world, or at least a piece of it.

If I had to choose only one theme for CDK’s Education Technology Place website, it would be, “never stop learning.”  If a person continues to learn, they don’t accept the status quo, they question things, they challenge others, they are open to many ways of thinking and they use all of the resources, including technology, available to them.  Part of my plan to keep learning and to stay on top of technology is to read more of the links/blogs provided on this website.             

http://www.technologybitsbytesnibbles.info/