Where We've Been...

As technology is rapidly increasing, it is hard for teachers to keep up to date with it.  This makes it hard for teachers as they have to learn new techniques and learning styles themselves so they are able to apply it in their lesson plans.  They also have to teach the students the new technology that they have recently become accustomed to.  Technology has so many positive affects on today's learning, as it allows new ways for students to interact with each other and learn at the same time.  Younger generations are brought up with a greater understanding of how technology works and how it is used as those who are from older generations did not have the luxury of growing up with such technological understandings.  By keeping up with today's technologies, it will be easier for students and teachers to adapt better as a unit. 

 As teachers we need imply the importance of using technology in a professional manner and safely.  I plan on teaching my students that technology is a great resource but it is not a necessity.  Relying on technology instead of relying on our brains, does not help students learn.  If technology is used in the correct way, it can be an incredible resource for students and teachers.  It will show the students how to use technology properly and appropriately.  It is hard for students sometimes to stay focused on that aspect, so as a teacher I want to elaborate on it and work with my students to make smart, educated choices.  Looking back to when I was younger, it is amazing how much technology has grown.  It's also overwhelming at the same time because to think that you start understanding one concept of technology, another concept is coming out that needs to addressed.



Here is my Ed Tech Tools timeline!
I chose to pick tools from various different time periods so the reader can really see how Ed Tech technology tools have advanced.  I think it's very neat to see how far technology has come throughout the years! Take a look!!

Microsoft vs Google

After completing the exercises asked of me in google docs and slides, Microsoft power point and word, I have come to the conclusion that I prefer Microsoft better. I have found pros and cons for each program as I was working with them. Because I am more familiar with Microsoft office, I have found that those assignments were easier for me to do than those in Google.  Microsoft is very user friendly and has all the tools you need to access in easy to find places.  Most of the labels of the tabs describe where and how you can upload or access these traits.  A con of using Microsoft is that it does not automatically save your work for you.  You need to manually save your work and it can only then be accessed on the device you saved it from unless you save it on a flash drive.  For Google, I found that it was more difficult to access what I needed to find, since I was not as familiar with it as I am with Microsoft.  Most tools are harder to access since they are in subcategories.  A pro to using Google is that it automatically saves your work.  With this, you can access your work on any device at any time as long as you know your log in information to Google.  As a future educator, I found that Google would be a great resource if I needed to share a document or power point with my students.  My students can also use this for presenting and not have to worry about carrying around a flash drive so they can present their information.  However, Google does not have as many font choices as Microsoft does.  When it came time to put sound into my Microsoft power point I was able to easily access it however when it came time to put sound in my Google Slides, I was not able to find that feature at all.  In my personal opinion, I prefer to use Microsoft over Google, but as a future educator I believe that Google makes the most sense when it comes to sharing and receiving assignments from my students.

Students and Technology Usage

When you write out information, your brain tends to remember it better than when you rely on technology all the time.  I want my students to be independent without technology, I want them to rely on their brain, not the internet for the answers.  I will present technology as a scary way, so my students understand that whatever they post on social media will never go away, also that technology can be a useful source but there are various downsides to the use of technology.  In schools today, the administration can block websites and even images so students cannot use or see things they are not supposed to be.  It helps the students use the technology given to them in a resourceful way instead of abusing their privileges. 

With today's day and age, many are dependent on technology as it becomes more advanced.  As a teacher, I would encourage my students to use technology appropriately, but not frequently.  I still love the idea of giving kids worksheets, as this is how I grew up.  I also believe that children learn more by writing information down, instead of typing it.  

 I found a really good website that is safe for students to search through, this website is called Kidtopia.  This website allows kids to do research without having to worry about inappropriate things surfacing during their searches.

How did I choose this blog platform?

Honestly, when I saw that we were required to have a blog for this class I was really nervous.  I had no idea what to expect.  I had no idea how to use a blog, how to access one, or even how to operate it or what I was supposed to post.  I had asked one of my friends for advice on what I should do.  She helped me weigh the options of the different blogs.  I had decided to use blogger because I had already had a gmail account, which makes posting a lot easier.  I'm still a little nervous on what the expectations are for blogs, but I know throughout the course, I will have a better understanding of what is required of me to do.