Blog #1 (make-up)

Technology in the classroom has become a necessity in the 21st century, I guarantee you cannot walk into a classroom in America and cannot find one technological device. 99% of teachers say they have or have the ability to use computers in the classroom everyday. Computers have become so important in the classroom because of the amount of opportunity presented on them. There are endless assignments, educational games, tests, quizzes, endless information, etc. that could be used on a day-to-day basis. I know that I would not be able to have the same education I have today without the help of computers. The only problem with computers is how easy it has become to get side tracked/distracted. In school this is not an issue thanks to blocked websites and restricted internet, but at home assignments could be easily put off, unfinished, or not done at all. Thus, depending on the student.

Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity: This is something that could be very exciting yet terrifying at the same time. Creativity is a major part of teaching and for learning as well. Although I believe I have some creativity in me, students may not have this ability. I know as a child I had a hard time being creative and coming up with ideas for projects or making my projects look "pretty" so I had my mom help me, for she was the most creative person I knew! I think because of her I have become the creative individual I am today. What makes me excited about this is that I can try to pass on this creativity to my students! I can only hope.

To me a Digital Native is someone who has used technology their whole life, been surrounded by it their whole life, and never not had technology in their life. I am a digital native, I can't remember a time in my life that I didn't have a phone, computer, pager, etc in my household. The difference between how I, a digital native, and my teachers and parents, digital immigrants, use technology is what we use it for. We natives usually use it for social media, homework, research, and mostly school related topics. Whereas immigrants use theirs for emailing, work, work, and occasionally some social media. The immigrants, my parents, taught me the basics of technology but I taught myself the tricks of the trade and has become very tech savvy over the years. I don't think there will be a big difference between me and my future students, for I will keep up with the technological times through work and school, being able to help and teach my students on how to become tech savvy themselves.