My experiences using Word have definitely changed and evolved overtime. When I was in elementary school, I used Word very rarely. School papers were still written on actual sheets of notebook paper and Microsoft was used only for making digital drawings during free time. However, in high school and here at FSU, Word is only used for papers and assignments. My experience using Word has been mostly positive, aside from some glitches with downloading different documents and some annoying format issues. I mostly see Word as software for writing papers and completing online assignments. Overall, even though Google Docs is so convenient when it comes to sharing documents easily with peers, I still would prefer Microsoft software over Google software.
The "learner" ISTE Standards for Education is the most important to me. I am a big fan of growing and evolving from ones' own mistakes. I believe that a big part of teaching is understanding that the same type of teaching will not work for all students, all classes, all schools, all states, etc. Teacher's need to know how to adapt and adjust their methods when it becomes apparent whatever they are doing is no longer working for them. A big pet peeve of mine is when teachers get stuck in their ways and are afraid to evolve, and the "learner" standard is all about preventing teachers from doing just that!
I do agree with the label of "digital native" for today's youth. Everyone in Generation Z and below have grown up around technology and it is has been a part of everyday life for their entire or most of their lives. To be a digital native is when all things revolving around technology is a natural part of everyday life. For example, a while back when my little cousin was around two years old, my family was amazed that she knew exactly how to turn on an iPhone. I tried to explain to them that it really wasn't that big of a feat, since she spent two years watching everyone turn on an iPhone so it is just a part of her everyday life. She learned how to walk in the same way she learned how to turn on an iPhone; that is what being a digital native is all about. Teacher's that are considered "digital immigrants" have a way about them where how they use technology is not innate in the same way it is for today's youth. If they are using a new program, it will take them a long time to understand how to work it, whereas often times their students will be able to figure out how it works right away.
Hi Ann, You made a great point about the learner standard. It's important to remain teachable even though you're in a teaching role. That's all about professional development and Personal Learning Network that we will cover throughout the semester. Thank you for sharing your little cousin's story, showing how younger generations have been immersed in digital technology since birth. However, as you mentioned about the learner standard, at some points we should all spend some time learning new technologies since technology is constantly evolving. Also, some so-called "digital natives" may feel uncomfortable or dislike using technology for learning, even though they were born and raised around advanced technology. Thank you for the thoughtful post!
ReplyDeleteHi Ann! I agree that the teaching aspect of the ISTE standards is very important. Even though we as future educators are meant to teach others we have to remember that it is also important to not get too set in our ways. We have to also have the understanding that we ourselves are still going to continue to be learning for the rest of our lives from those around us whether it be in a student role or teaching role. I also believe that Microsoft is better than google docs when it comes to working on school papers or assignments.
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