Blog post 2
Being a product of public school, I have only ever used Microsoft word for my processing software needs. At this point in my life, I would say I am 75% fluent in Word; to me it is the most user-friendly software available. I have tried other software such as google docs and I have found it confusing and difficult to navigate, I tend to stick with Word. I do not think I will use a different software, especially in education; as students learn their way around it and all of its capabilities, they will need the help bar and tutorials which word can provide.
I found the ISTE standard for educators very interesting. This resource is a road map for educators to be the best they possibly can. The standard I found most meaningful is standard 2.4 Collaborator, I think it is important to admit that someone may be able to help you with something you may not understand and there is a possibility to learn from everyone. Specifically, I thought 2.4 b Learn Alongside Students was very important since a lot of teachers have a mindset that there is nothing to learn from their students however, students can have more experience in one subject or technology platform than the educator. I also appreciated standard 2.4.d Demonstrate Cultural Competency, I think it is important to be culturally sensitive with students, co-workers, and parents and they likely have a different background than they do which gives opportunity to learn from them.
I thought the terms “digital native” and “digital immigrant” were very interesting in the provided article. I think it is an interesting way to explain the disconnect between older and younger generations. Growing up in a digital world, students are more competent with technology than those who had to learn the methods of technology and this can be hard to learn, sometimes I find myself confused with technology and going to others for help. I have experienced this difference in school many times, I have found teachers asking students for help with technology and have noticed they go around a much easier shortcut to do something the hard way. However, I had to realized, my teachers did not grow up with computers in classrooms so they are learning as we did. I think there will be many differences between myself as a teacher and the next generation entering schools today. I have my technology which I am comfortable with which may already be the older way to do something. I believe there is a possibility for a learning gap here but as long as I keep an open mind with learning from my students, this can be narrowed.
I completely agree with your assertion on Word being the more accessible platform. I like that you pointed out the help bar and the tutorials; I've always felt that Word is one of the more learnable programs because it offers help to the person trying to work it, and Microsoft offers a lot of tips with learning and writing with the software.
ReplyDeleteI also like how you discussed Standard 2.4. I feel that learning from students is not often something an educator would consider. however, as you pointed out, technology is something students are often more experienced with than teachers, and we can offer insight to their struggles. It takes vulnerability to ask a younger individual for help, but I think that this can also facilitate trust and respect between teachers and students.
Finally, I find myself relating to your final statements; I'm pretty simple when it comes to the online programs I use. Once I become comfortable with a software, such as Word, I'll mostly keep to that software. I agree with your idea that newer generations will probably be more experienced than we will, and I agree that if we continue to be open to newer ways of thinking about and interacting with technology that we can try to stay experienced as the coming generations.