CHAPTER 2

2  Understanding Educational Technological Issues and Trends

*A CAREER THAT MATTERS

“Teaching is a career that matters to everyone…it requires constant learning” (Maloy, Verock-O’Loughlin, Edwards, & Woolf, 2013, p. 23).

            I absolutely believe that teaching is a career that matters, that influences most individuals that have been through any type of schooling.  As someone who strives to become an effective educator, I understand the significance in a teacher’s ability to convey learning to students in an engaging way they can internalize the material learned, differentiate learning to suit students’ needs, and constantly reflect and improve oneself to become an even better teacher than ever before.  I believe that a teacher must constantly grow, develop, and learn, for there is always room for improvement; this is especially true because teachers influence their students, children who we hope will grow up to become proud citizens who contribute to their society.   As teachers grow and continue to learn, they must understand how technology changes teaching and learning in the today’s society, and be able to learn how to enrich their curriculum through technology.

*YOUR INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGICAL READINESS

Types of technology users:

1)    “Digital collaborator,” an individual that utilizes online and mobile technology readily to make and share information with others,

2)    “Ambivalent networker,” an individual who finds online and mobile devices intrusive despite using them often,

3)    “Media mover,” an individual who utilizes online and mobile technology as a medium for interacting with others often,

4)    “Roving node,” an individual who turns to online and mobile technology as a way to manage work and to gather information,

5)    “Desktop veteran,” an individual who primarily utilizes desktop computer technology for work and communication yet rarely uses mobile devices,

6)    “Drifting surfer,” an individual who rarely uses technology, and if so, it is to gather information,

7)    “Information encumbered,” an individual who attains information through old media, such as telephones and print materials, instead of the Web or mobile devices,

8)    “Mobile newbie,” an individual who rarely uses technology because of a paucity of knowledge and confidence with devices,

9)    and “Technology indifferent,” an individual who sometimes utilizes online and mobile technology, yet is happy to not use them (Maloy et al., 2013, p.26-27)

I was shocked to learn that there are so many different types of technology users, and there are even labels used to describe each type of user.  I believe that knowing these types of technology users is important because in this modern society, we have now have an iGeneration of technology users.  They may not have the same amount of experience with technology even though they are exposed to technology, and may use them for certain purposes regularly, which relates back to the different types of technology users that are labeled above.  By understanding our students better in terms of what types of users they are, teachers are able to better plan and implement lessons that cater to their needs and interests.  Furthermore, by understanding what type of technology users we as teachers are, we can strive to become a different type if we are not able to use technology efficiently and innovatively as an educator.  I believe I am a digital collaborator, but I continue to strive to become better at using technology and to learn of different ways to incorporate it into my lessons.

*STUDENTS AND THEIR TECHNOLOGIES

“…digital disconnect…students see schools lagging behind their technology expectations…As a teacher, your actions will either bridge or extend the digital disconnect that so many students perceive between themselves and their schools” (Maloy et al., 2013, p. 40-41).

            It is important to understand our students who grow up using technology, and ourselves as teachers who attempt to apply technology to student learning.  Although we may attempt to use technology, it may not reach the expectation of our students.  Thus, teacher must strive to provide active learning environments that include technology that is relevant and that engages students.  I want to become a teacher that can make learning fun and meaningful for my students by incorporating the following: the computer and its applications, the Web, inquiry-based WebQuests, blogs, digital storytelling, and educational software.

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 ~FOOD FOR THOUGHT…~

1) Reflecting on your life as a student, how did you feel teaching was a career that mattered, that influenced you as a child growing up?

2) What kind of tech user are you, and why?  How will this influence you in your classroom?

3) How will you personally bridge the digital disconnect in your (future) classroom?

Work Cited

Maloy, R., Verock-O’Loughlin, R., A. Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (n.d.). Transforming

learning with new technologies (2nd ed.). Pearson