Blog Journal 1

I believe that an individual’s surrounding culture is what influences teachers and students to use technology in the classroom. The more advance available becomes, the more it is able to be of aid in the classroom. Additionally, being aware of the technology that is being used by others allows for the knowledge of how beneficial the use of new technology is to be learned.

The International Society for Technology in Education provides a standard that is carried across the nation that deals with students and teachers all across the country being able to utilize technology in the classroom at an acceptable level. The Creative Communicator standard is the ISTE standard that is of the most meaning to me. I think it provides a wonderful option to allow students to express themselves through their technological resources. I, personally, think of myself as a creative individual and, as a result, especially appreciate this standard. As for a standard that is out of my current skill set, I look to the Global Collaborator standard. I am unfamiliar in the field of communicating with individuals from outside of my country and, therefore, do not know much about this subject. However, I think it is wonderful that global communication with other students is of extreme importance and am very pleased that this is an opportunity.

As an individual that has three younger siblings, I would absolutely use the term “digital native” to describe today’s youth. In my own definition, a “digital native” is a young member of today’s society that has been raised in an era where technology is prevalent in everyday life. The divide between digital natives and digital immigrants can be observed in many aspects of life. For example, while my parents did not own cell phones until they were almost out of college, I received my first cell phone at the age of 13. Additionally, I have met toddlers that are able to use an iPad better than I could as a teenager. I believe there are both pros and cons to this, but, educationally, I think that technology provides more benefits in that it allows for new and more enjoyable ways to attain and retain information. I am sure that the technology of this country will continue to become more advanced and more readily available and I can only hope to use this to my advantage when I am a teacher, though I am sure my students will be more adept to utilizing it than I will be.