Blog 1

For teachers, technology assists in completing many administrative tasks. It also helps support teachers who need to address unique learning needs of any student trying to master a certain concept. Teachers use technology to make learning more effective for students. For students, technology allows for the interaction with material presented to them. Technology also reviews, reinforces, and expands on content that teachers want students to learn and provides a one-on-one environment. Teachers dont have the time to prepare and implement complex lessons and technology can help foster critical thinking for students and help teachers with time constraints at the same time. Also, students have diverse backgrounds and unique needs. Technology helps teachers address students individually while maintaining consistency in the classroom. 

I am really impressed with the ISTE standards. I support the idea of standards in education even though it is an unpopular opinion. I believe that it is important that all students have equal opportunity to exceed and that guidelines are put in place to ensure at least some level of success and preparation. I think that the standards give teachers relative freedom, but also provide a sense of structure. It is really important that children in this age are prepared for the future and can adapt to new technological advancements. My favorite standard was "Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity" and one I felt a bit challenged by was "Promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility." I like that the standards are emphasizing creativity and individuality with the first, and with the latter I don't really understand the terminology and I am a bit unfamiliar with correct technological etiquette. 

I do agree with the label "digital native" for today's youth. The children of today have not lived without the internet or technological devices that improve and aid communication. Digital natives are individuals born into the digital world. I am much more familiar with technology than my older instructors. I am also much more comfortable with it. I find that some of my instructors act as if they are allergic to technology or they are scared of it. I still learn well even with teachers that do not understand technology well, but I find that a lot of time is wasted in class and is spent on them trying to figure out how to share something with the class. I think that future students will become more and more familiar and comfortable with technology. At this point, I prefer learning environments without an overwhelming amount of technology, but I anticipate that future generations will prefer the opposite and will learn better in more technologically advanced environments.