Blog Journal 1

     There are a few things that influence students and teachers to use technology in classrooms. One main reason is that almost everything now is digital. In past generations, technology was not used how it is now to check grades, assign homework, and even interact with students during classtime. As a teacher and student in this era, you need to know how to use the internet and different available softwares. Most states have developed state technology standards and have included these within their certification and licensing requirements for teachers. Technology has become significant in every educators professional life.

     The ISTE standards are standards set for teachers, education professionals, and students. These standards define what you need to know about educational technology. One standard that is meaningful to me is the global collaborator one. This one in particular is meaningful to me because to me, a global collaborator is someone who gathers information to ehnace their knowledge with other students locally and around the world. Whether it be for a homework, a paper, or even for social media platforms, I use the internet to gather information and hear other people's opinions and collect their data for my personal knowledge gain. As a global collaborator, you also get a perspective by learning about other peoples cultures. You hear different opinions and perspectives through technology. One standard that seems outside my current skill set is the computational thinker. I have never really been one to "think out of the box" or use my resources to develop solutions. I feel this is something important that I should work on.

     Somebody who is digital native is brought up during the age of digital technology and is therefore familiar with computers and the internet, starting from an early age. I do agree with the label "digital native" for today's youth. Whether it be at the table at a restaurant, a kids birthday party, and even family gatherings, I have never witnessed a kid not know how to navigate a device or websites online. At such a young age, it is astonishing how these kids know how to use these things. Yes, I have seen differences between digital natives and digital immigrants. Almost all the time I see natives showing immigrants how to navigate a website, or download an app, even do something as simple as create a contact. I do not see there being many differences in technology between my students and I since I, too would consider myself a digital native. But I am sure that as I get older, more apps will come out and more softwares will be created and I will need to be taught a thing or two.