Being a Teacher in a Digital Age

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In today’s society, technology surrounds us everywhere we go. For this reason, we as educators should teach students how to use this technology in a resourceful way. Technology can be abused by anyone and everyone. We should take the responsibility of giving children experiences with technology that effect their lives in a positive way. Technology can be used by students and teachers in a classroom setting. If someone is going to be a teacher that uses technology in their classroom, they too should be educated on technological devices. A teacher should not take advantage of the resources they are given. By no means, should the technology take over the role of the educator.

Chapter eight of the book, “Learning Identities in a Digital Age”, discusses how to teach in a digital age. One thing that stood out to me from the beginning was this,  “A teacher in a digital age is not a technical deliverer of an instrumental curriculum, but a curriculum-maker who draws upon knowledge and experience, and is able to improvise in pedagogic moments and relationships.” Every teacher should have their own philosophy of teaching that cannot be manipulated negatively by technology. A teacher should incorporate technology into their methods along with imagination, creativity, and purpose. Educators play such an important role in a child’s life so we should strive to make the most positive impact as we can.

I will strive to be a teacher that uses technology, but one that knows when not to rely on it. I will use technology in my classroom as an aid, not as a fall back. I will use it to engage students and to motivate them. I will use it for group collaboration and for rewards. Technology is a privilege for teachers today, as well as students. There once was a time when teachers were getting by just fine without technology, so I know it is not a necessity, but a blessing. Technology is a powerful thing. It can change the way a child learns and/or make a huge impact on their view of education. Technology could make a “boring” lesson not so boring. It could be used as a reward or challenge for an early finisher who needs enrichment. It could also be used as a source of remediation for a child who needs just a little extra help. As far as using technology for myself, I think technology will come in handy with keeping up with students work and grades. Also, I believe that technology can help me enhance lessons and lectures that will be provided to students. I hope to be a teacher that always strives to learn more about technology and to take full advantage of it when it is given to me.

In my Microcomputing Systems for Education course, I have learned so many new and exciting things to carry with me on my journey to becoming a great teacher. This course has furthered my education of technology tools and resources that can be used in a classroom setting. I have learned new things to help my future students, myself as a future educator, and my skills of working and connecting with peers/co-teachers. The use of technology is expanding each and every day. It is crucial for teachers to be aware of the resources that are out there so that we can know about it as well as prepare our students for what they will be working with as they grow.

Thanks for reading!

-A Teacher in Training

What Do I Think About SMARTBoards?

SMARTBoards, like every other kind of technology tool, have the potential of being useful resources in a classroom. Also, just like other technology tools, SMARTBoards have the ability to become distracting or confusing in the classroom. SMARTBoards are interactive whiteboards that are mounted on the walls of many classrooms today. They’re in classrooms ranging from preschool to college. They’re useful in the sense of engaging students, allowing them to interact, and giving the teacher options they never had before.

Just from playing around on a SMARTBoard for thirty minutes, it is easy to see that the things it is capable of are amazing. Things like drawing text on the board, playing with objects, being able to show quantities in a way that is easy for students to understand, having interactive media that includes sound effects with different objects, and also just having easy access to the internet. Along with all of these qualities, the SMARTBoard can be used simply as a projector. If a teacher has some sort of document or worksheet that they would like to show from their computer, it’s a simple hookup and it is projected on the screen. The SMARTBoard has four different colored interactive pens that a teacher or student have the option to use. The pens are placed low enough on the board where the students can reach them and have a turn interacting with the board. The SMARTBoard includes games for the students to play according to what kind of lesson is being taught.There are countless options that a SMARTBoard has to offer that enhance teaching and the learning for students.

Of course, just like any other device, there are some downsides. Some say it’s just a fancy whiteboard or blackboard. Some say teachers have access to all of the things that a SMARTBoard offers, without having to pay tons of money. Also, there’s always the factor that technology can fail. Internet connection could be lost or the board could be having some difficulties. This is the case with any sort of technology device a teacher uses in a classroom. This is why of course a teacher should have a back-up plan. Some say that it didn’t enhance the teaching much or that it didn’t make the lesson any more fun for the students.

In my opinion, I think the SMARTBoard is what you make it. If a teacher believes that it is a waste of money, then it will be. Until a teacher takes the time to figure out all of it’s abilities and give it a chance, they aren’t going to realize what it is capable of. I know in the past teachers did just fine without this device, but now that we have it, why not use it? It’s expensive, yes, but it’s worth it. It’s fun. Students will think it’s cool and they’ll want to be engaged. It gives teachers hundreds of objects, interactive multimedia, and so much more to work with. If a school buys a SMARTBoard for a teachers’ classroom, I think they should take full advantage of the great resource they’ve been given. You never know how much of an impact it may have on a students’ education.

Thanks for reading! – A Teacher In Training