Digital Blog Post #A - Chapters 1 & 2

After reviewing chapter 1 and 2, I have made connections with previous lessons I have seen about technological advancements. I understand that technology is a constantly changing and moving forward. In education, "Technology potentially transforms every learning activity"(Maloy, et al, 2013, p. 5). In order for educators to stay afloat with all the new inventions, they need to constantly educate themselves with what is going on around them. In this blog I will be mainly focusing on three concepts:

1. Today's students and technology
2. Teaching 21st century learners with 21st century technologies
3. Barriers to technology use

Today's Students and Technology

In the world we live in, children are expose to technology starting at a young age. Kids are able to manipulate computers, have access to the Internet, and interact with each other using social media. As educators, we need to be able to know how to implement these tools when teaching in class. This generation of kids was born starting the late 1990s. According to Maloy, et al (2013) this generation of kids live what is know as a "Digital Childhood"(p. 3). When using technologies with students, teachers need to understand that there will be differences of knowing how to use these new advancements among the students because not every student has the same exposure to it. Finding ways to make this technological journey enjoyable for the youngsters is of big importance for the instructors. Also, instructors show students how to use the new advancements as tools for their education.

Teaching 21st century learners with 21st century technologies

Nowadays, teachers are responsible to teach students 21st century skills. These skills will get them prepare to work with modern technology. The schools job is not only to show the kids how to use it but also how to use it creatively and efficiently. This video from Australia give us a clear explanation how the 21st century is impacting education in the world and how important is for children to learn how to use this new technologies.

Barriers to technology use

Implementing technology in schools is not as easy as many think it is. Schools and teachers need to follow procedures and many times technology is not an option. One of the reasons of the lack of use technology in schools is the budget schools have. Also, parents are against how technology is use in education because some do not fully understand it. Teachers face many obstacles and we can read them in this article. 


In conclusion, the 21st century have brought many changes to society and education is not the exception. Nowadays technology is a must in schools; it is used inside and outside classrooms to make the interaction between teachers and students easier. As part of teaching, educators introduce students to many new digital and electronic tools. Not every children is lucky enough to be part of these technological advancements and instructors nee to find ways to deal with digital inequality and parcipation gaps

Resources:

1. AITSL (2012, May 7). 21st Century Education. [Video File] Retrieved May 17, 2015, from https://youtu.be/nA1Aqp0sPQo
2. Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
3. Cathleen Norris and Elliot Soloway (2011, Nov/Dec). The 10 Barriers to Technology Adoption. District Administration. Retrieved May 17, 2015, from http://www.districtadministration.com/article/10-barriers-technology-adoption