Blog Post #2

It is honestly a mind-blowing concept to think about how many times and ways I have used Office products throughout school, especially MS Word. Even before I had my own computer at home I was using MS Word in school to create projects or write out assignments. I have used it more than ever as a college student, but it also played a big part in my high school experience. I used MS Word to write essays, to create advertisements, and to design our family Christmas letters. I often underestimate how much easier my educational experience as well as my everyday life has been because of it. I truly enjoy learning new ways MS Word can help me I and hope I continue to learn new things from this class.

While this technology is extremely beneficial, there are issues like copyright and cheating that come along with it. Millions of documents written buy others are available for reference online, and students can take someone else's work and pass it off as their own. Some copyright can even be done on accident because students do not understand the correct process of citing someone else's work. The last thing I would want is for a student to get in academic trouble because of copyright despite if it was deliberate or accidental. To prevent this I would start by implementing lessons during writing that would teach the students what copyright is and how to avoid it. They also must learn the consequences of stealing work from others. One last big prevention tool would be the implement of programs like Turnitin, which compares your work to others online to check originality. I hope and plan to use some of these methods to fight the loopholes technology has yet to completely overcome.

In my personal opinion cyberbullying is the biggest issue of technology. It is a hard battle to fight, and the issue has not gone away. As a future teacher I think the best way to prevent this is to heavily monitor the students' online activity and only gradually allow them more freedom. It is easier to end an issue when it is small rather than when it has been going on for a long period of time and has gotten more severe. The moment I see any sort of cyberbullying I would address the issue and hopefully end it early. Another issue implementation of technology in the classroom can cause is decreased productivity. There are so many fun websites with games that students would rather be on that can distract them from their assignments. There are features that can be used allowing the teacher to see when is on every computer screen. Especially in a computer lab setting where I cannot see every computer at once with my own eyes, this would allow me monitor what websites the students are on as well as how efficient the students are with the allotted time they have. Technology is a tool we are very fortunate to have, but it is important as a teacher to be aware of the issues it brings and to actively work to fight them.

Blog Post #1

Technology in the classroom in my opinion is influenced by our generation's expectation of everything being automatic and instant. Teachers 70 years ago were forced to give all assignments on paper, hand grade them, then redistribute them to their students to give feedback. Students born in the past 15 years have grown up with technology that allowed them to have everything they want or need at their fingertips in seconds. Because of this, students and teachers use technology more than ever in the classroom to ensure feedback on assignments as quick as possible. With this all of their information is connected and accessible everywhere.

The ISTE Standard is a powerful list of characteristics teachers should strive to be in order to help students reach their highest potential. One standard that is the most meaningful to me is learner. Teachers who reach this standard are actively learning from their environment and the developing education system to create the most influential learning experience for their students. I have seen teachers who refused to learn new teaching methods that would have been beneficial, and it really reflected in how the students performed. One of the best features of education is the fact that it is constantly changing to make improvements, so teachers should continue to learn as well for the benefit of their students

I believe the terms "digital native" and "digital immigrants" are very valid and relevant. Being digitally native is a term for those who were born in an era where technology was well advanced and normal. I think that digital immigrants have to work harder to not only catch up but keep up with technology. I have had many teachers who were forced to ask their students to help them with the technology used in the classroom. In my future classroom I expect the students to still be ahead of me in the latest technology, but I don't think I will have as much catching-up considering I am a digital native.

Introduction

My name is Abby Hayse, and I am from a town in South West Florida called Punta Gorda. This is my second year at Florida State, despite the fact that BOTH my parents went to University of Florida. They have been super great, however, and traded out all Gator gear for Seminole attire! Back home I have two dogs that I love and a beach that I spend all my spare time at. Florida State has been great to me as I have joined the club Softball Team and met people from all over. Despite the lack of beaches, I have no complaints and cannot wait to see what the future holds for me here.

In terms of technology within school, I do not have too much experience. I have taken one computer course that taught Word and Excel, and I am currently in another Excel class. Over Christmas break my Macbook broke on me and instead of getting another I changed to a Windows computer. It has been an adjustment, but being a Finance major I think it will be the best for what I will need to do.

Because of the direction the world is going towards in terms of technology, I hope to learn as much as I can in this class. I want the material to help me not only in a potential classroom (should I choose to teach), but in everyday life as well. If I choose to use my degree to start my own business, I want to have at least the basic knowledge of Excel and other programs to help me. I am excited to see what I can learn in this class and expect to carry the lessons with me through my career.