Unit 1 Prompt

While reading and viewing the materials for this week’s topic (which really peaked my interest), I realized that a lot of the ideas and information relates back to my students lives and education, to my own education, and to the way that I teach and use technology within my classroom. It is true that students’ lives today function a lot around technology and social networking. I see it every day with my students. They are constantly checking their cell phones and updating themselves on the most recent postings from their friends. I think that as educators we need to remember how much technology has influenced the student that we see in front of us in the classroom.

For me, I had the best of both worlds. Growing up technology was just beginning to take off. Gaming wasn't as accessible to me or my peers, we played outside. We did not have cell phones until late middle school and/or high school and trust me those cell phone did not have any of the bells and whistles like the phone do now. We networked by calling home phones and walking to our friends house. We were updated on our friends’ status by passing notes in class. By the time I was in high school/college, technology was changing rapidly and in a time frame of less than 10 years, technology is everywhere and for the most part everyone has the ability of accessing it. Unlike me, my students have had these amazing toys and tools since before they could talk and walk and this has influenced how they learn and how they gather and interpret information. They are the technology age the click generation; they have been in and grown up in the thick of the boom of searching, social networking, gadgets and apps.  

I agree with the readings that students these days are connected with technology and that they are resourceful in using technology to learn. I think that the students have a right to technology and that our system may need to catch up with the times, I believe the video about teachers not using technology and that students minds are doing multiple things at once. I also agree that the old ways of teaching need to be improved, but I think that is because of the usefulness of technology to society not just technology alone.

Also, I think that students should have to take responsibility for their learning. With the ease of information, I see my students becoming lazy with thinking. They want the answer now and in black and white. This is not the case in my classroom, the answer is not black and white, there are many possibilities and outcomes, creativity and trial and error are constant. It is important to teach students that problem solving and critical thinking should be and are things that every person needs to be successful regardless of your age and career pathway.  I think that technology can help the learning process, but it cannot alone be the answer and brain for my student.

Introduction

Hello! I’m Mallory. I am currently a CTE/Business Teacher at Lake Shore High School in St. Clair Shores.  This year I will be teaching Architecture, Drafting & CAD, Computers, and Finance. This is my third semester with WSU and the IT program (K-12 emphasis). I enjoy sports and I am a HUGE Detroit Red Wings fan. In my free time, which is rare, I like being outdoors, attending concerts/plays, and reading.

From this class, I hope that I am able to expand my resources and understanding so that I can better prepare my students for their futures. Since I currently use the Internet daily in my classroom, I hope to learn a few tricks to improve the flow of information in my hybrid classes, as well as adding to my other classes.