Chapter One

When reading chapter one of Transforming Learning with New Technologies I was really interested in three of the topics they discussed. I found myself in awe of the information and statistics that I learned from my reading. I also found myself to know a lot more than I thought I did. Here is what I thought.

The iGeneration of Technology Users: When reading out this iGeneration I was not surprised by some of the facts like that it is made up of eight to eighteen year olds. However, I was shocked to find that 95% of twelve to seventeen year olds are online. What was even more shocking was that there are 80% of kindergarten students who use technology. I think it is crazy how much time students spend online and a lot of the usage is not for school work. I loved going outside to play and doing other things beside sit on a computer all day. I also have to think we didn’t have smart phones and the other advanced technologies when I was young. I also learned that the majority of young computer users are white. I just wish children these days would take time to enjoy their surroundings and use technology when appropriate for school or something but then put the phone down or computer away and enjoys the other things life has to offer.

Your Must Have Technology for Teaching: When teachers were asked what technology was needed for a successful class most said things like laptops, smart boards, and clickers. Personally this is also what I thought. It’s the extent of the technology teachers had while I was sin school. I didn’t get to experience smartboards until my high school years. I thought the teachers were on the right track. If teachers can teach their students more effectively through technology then I think it would be foolish of them not to use it. Over 50% of teachers want student participation and technology will help.

Strategies for Learning new Technologies: while reading this I found myself already knowing what it was telling me. Although technology has grown since I was I child most of my life I have used technology. I ca learn what I don’t know quickly and I am great at passing that knowledge onto others. The four ways to learn technology according to the book was 1. Learn while teaching 2. Expand categories 3. Create small groups 4. Focus.

I think the things I learned from reading will benefit me in many ways as a student and a teacher. 

                                                     Photo Credit to Superklmbo on Flickr

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXyCECMxhOs

Resources:
 Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc