One of the many influences for a teacher to use technology is to meet the ideals for 21st era learning. In today’s society, educational technology and technology literacy have become a central requirement. In part by the ISTE and PTS, which helped create the criteria for enhancing the knowledge and skills that teachers should acquire, both students and teachers benefit from using “classroom technology”.  Teachers use computers to track attendance, prepare assignments & lesson plans, communicate with parents and peers, and to use the internet to come up with topics. Students typically use technology to help with school assignments, to do research, and to communicate with their professor or classmates.

ISTE standards serve a purpose in helping students and teachers understand their role in the education realm. The one ISTE standard that resonates with me the most is the creative communicator. I think being able to use technology as a tool to communicate is a powerful thing. Sometimes people take for granted how lucky we are to have such a variety of technology to be communicating on so effortlessly. I know that I am guilty of using different platforms of technology without thinking of their intentions and how useful they can be. One technology standard that is outside of my skill set is the global collaborator. I am not good at reaching out to people that I don’t know. Thus, having to coordinate an assignment with someone outside of my realm of people I talk to is something that I definitely need to improve on.

I would agree with the term digital native for today’s youth. I think the term means someone who has grown up with knowledge and skills about technology usage. I think they can’t help to be a digital native because they were born using technology. They don’t know a life without the internet, social media, and texting. I’m split when it comes to seeing a difference between teachers and me. Some teachers I’ve had use technology like I do. They use technology to communicate, to use social media, and to complete academic tasks. Other teachers I’ve had, strictly used technology for educational purposes. The teachers that are more up to date on technology were able to reach and connect with the students better than the teachers who didn’t. I predict that future students will be focused on accessing education and collaboration methods remotely and effortlessly.

https://www.iste.org/standards/for-students

I wouldn’t consider myself to be technology buff or have a deep understanding of technology. If I had to describe my technology skills, I would say that I am mediocre at best. I think it depends on which type of technology we’re talking about. I know how phone systems operate and can figure my way around them pretty well. When you talk about computers however, it becomes a whole other realm that I don’t have a lot of knowledge on. I can search the internet, upload pictures, and go between different Microsoft Suite Applications. What I can’t do, is assemble a computer or fix any malfunction within the computer itself. Like most Americans, I am very capable of working a T.V., and have shows that I am addicted to, so I know how to record and keep up with the latest T.V. spectacle.

I would like to learn about the different software available to help students access different information and materials, and help them to benefit what learning style works best for them. I also hope to gain better insight to how educational technology is set up to help others design, develop, and improve instructions. Lastly, I would like to know more about the different types of media and how I can benefit from their platforms. I know that using certain media platforms can help you attain a job or create connections with others, but I want to be able to know which media platform is suited for my needs and wants, and how to take advantage of them.

Based off the Learning Styles Questionnaire, I ranked the highest in the sensing, visual, and sequential categories of learning types. I like to learn facts and solve problems by deep-rooted approaches. I also understand information presented in linear steps that are logically sound. In addition, I benefit from visual diagrams that represent the topic of choice. I need more than a verbal explanation to understand the topic better. I think I learn the best by doing the activity along with the topic at hand. I feel that I can retain and understand the information when physically being involved in the process. In short, I’m logical/methodical and learn best by doing! I would say that the questionnaire is completely accurate in describing my learning pattern.