My Aha Moments

ETEC has provided me with several Aha moments. First, even though I am a digital immigrant, I can learn to be just as proficient as most of the digital natives I teach. Technology is an empowering tool, and if I choose to integrate it correctly into my classroom, I can provide my students with the skills they need to think critically and be productive members of society. I also believe the new technologies I have learned will provide me with unique opportunities to teach things in new, relevant ways.

Second, technology is important, but so are the daily face-to-face interactions we have with our students. Today’s learners still value the role teachers play in the classroom, so making technology human will remain an important goal of mine.

A third aha moment came in the e-portfolio itself. As an English teacher, I have always valued writing portfolios and see the value an e-portfolio will provide for my students. Since portfolios are reflective in nature, they not only showcase a student’s ability to provide insight to selected pieces, but they can also showcase their creative use of technology.

Even though I’m working on getting my LIS certification, I am still a classroom teacher. In fact, I am thrilled about having the opportunity to use many of the technologies I have learned in this class with my students. Being able to share blogs, wikis, Glogster, Google Earth, Voki, Jing, and many others will help provide me with a firsthand account of how technology can transform a classroom. I believe it will be through these experiences that I will learn to become a better library media specialist as well.

Fortunately, my educational philosophy dealt very much with the role of teachers in the 21st century. I am a firm believer that as educators we must change if we plan on challenging and shaping the minds of those we teach. My future goals include keeping up with the latest trends in technology and sharing with others what I have learned. Since I will continue to grow as both an educator and a learner, I expect my educational philosophy will change as well. I look forward to many of the other technologies I will discover and plan on continuing the development of my e-portfolio.

Reflection #4

“Is it Age or IT?” is a relevant look at the Net Generation and the way they view technology. As far as education is concerned, those belonging to this generation truly want the best of both worlds – face-to-face learning as well as learning through activity-enabled technology. And why shouldn’t they want the best of both? Students in the Net Generation have grown up on technology and have been educated primarily by Baby Boomers and members of Generation X. Because of their educational experiences, those in the Net Gen have experience with face-to-face learning as well as active learning through technology. Clearly, they see advantages of both. Then where, you might ask, is the problem? The problem lies with the fact that many of those responsible for educating Net Generation students believe occasional incorporation of technology into the curriculum is enough to reach the students they teach.

Much about the Net Gen and their views on technology has been learned. For example, it’s not so much the use of technology they crave, but more of the interactivity technology can provide. These students thrive on learning by doing- not by lecture. They are also social learners who prefer to work with a partner or in groups. They prefer learner-centered assignments as well. Yes, they believe technology is important, but it’s the active involvement from technology that matters most. For me and many other educators like me, this statement alone can affect the way in which technology is incorporated into the classroom.

As educators, if we are going to close the generational gap, we must begin by incorporating technology that ensures learner-centered, interactive assignments. If we believe we are reaching our students by occasionally integrating technology, then we are not reaching them at all. We must make sure we provide them with a combination of face-to-face learning opportunities as well as engaging, technology-assisted assignments that get them to think critically and reflectively. When we combine face-to-face learning with technology-rich active learning, we are not only reaching their educational needs, but we are also helping prepare the Net Generation for their future.

Another Reason to Appreciate “Is it Age or IT?: First Steps Towards Understanding the Net Generation?

This chapter was interesting on another level as well. Even though I’m part of Generation X, I realize I’m more like the Net Generation than I originally thought. For example, since I’ve started working on my masters, I’ve become better at composing online than by longhand. I have also turned my memory over to my smart phone (thank goodness!). I no longer try to memorize numbers or feel a need to carry a calendar in my purse. When going to meetings, I gladly show up with both my laptop and my PDA…gone are the days of taking a legal pad. I’m constantly connected whether it’s through my laptop or my phone or both. I can multitask pretty well but probably not as well as the Net Gen. I will occasionally play video games with my kids and have been known to play Rock Band with my neighbors. In addition, I share some of the same attributes as those in the Net Gen. For example, I consider myself a determined and hopeful person. I enjoy learning the latest technology, and I still like my parents. I become frustrated when things don’t work or run as quickly as I like, and I cannot stand negativity. Therefore, it seems as though I’m not as far removed from those I teach. Which leaves me with this question-Am I more like those in the Net Generation because of my continued education, or is Generation X similar to the Net Generation?