Reflections of a technological learner....

Reflections of a technological learner....
This week brought on another group of new experiences and challenges involving technology.  On Monday night, we had our first online class.  I had never had an online class before and trying to figure out how to work the program and get everything to work correctly was a challenge.  However, once I figured out how to use the program, it was a rewarding feeling.

It was a totally new experience to have an online class meeting.  To be sitting at my computer and listening to the teacher and talking through a microphone to the class are things that I have never done or thought about doing in the past.  I think technology is a good thing, and the more we learn to use it can make our lives easier.  However, I am always scared that relying on too much technology can be a bad thing because I live in fear of technology failing on me.

 The difference between computer literacy, information literacy, and integration literacy are that simply having knowledge of computers and their uses is not the same as having the actual ability to put those uses into action.  Knowing that you can look information up on the computer is not the same as being able to actually get on the computer and know how to look information up.  Integration literacy is being able to combine knowledge and ability of technology and add them to other teaching and learning strategies to enhance student learning.  This is 21st Century Learning, and as we progress into the future and new technology continues to be developed, the way we teach and learn in schools will continue to be enhances by new technology. 

Digital Students today are different from students of the past.  In the past, when a student needed information they would go to the library and look in books.  Now, when students are in need of information the internet is the first place they look.  People today in general believe that "Google knows everything".  Also, with the new development of what cell phones and blackberry's are capable of, most students walk around with the internet and information accessible to them at all times. 

Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making is probably the bets implemented of the six National Educational Technology Standards for Students.  Those are aspects of school and life that are important for all students to utilize, regardless of the use of technology.  However, using technology that they are familiar with can potentially make learning those problem solving skills easier to absorb.  As a teacher, I think this is an attribute that I am prepared to teach, but they are also traits which I am learning to adapt to new technology myself.  In order to make all of these standards available to implemented, there needs to be more training for teachers so that they can be aware and capable of utilizing technology.  

We are living in a world which is shifting from Education 1.0 to a new world of Education 2.0.  In the past, it was strict lecture and the traditional tools such as worksheets and pen and paper assessments.  We are now shifting to more of a technological and interactive classroom.  Students use so many stimulating forms of technology int heir spare time that it is difficult for a teacher to maintain their attention and motivate the students with traditional education tools.  Because of this, it is more of a crucial need for teachers to incorporate technology into their lessons, such as web quests, interactive web lessons, and incorporating other forms of technology into the lessons to stimulate the student while providing them with a quality education.