digital natives reflection

If I had to choose one of the two, a digital native or a digital immigrant, I would consider myself to be a digital native. I can't remember a time when I wanted to know the answer to something and I couldn't just Google it to find my answer. I've rarely used sources other than the internet to write research papers. In fact, I don't "write" research papers. I type them. I've had a smart phone for years, and even before that I still had a mobile device. I use multiple social networking sites and I am constantly downloading new music. I use my laptop multiple times a day, and email is the easiest way to get in touch with anyone that you don't plan on just calling up. I remember feeling like I lived in a different century than everyone else when our house was the only one I could remember without caller ID on our house phone. I don't know how I learned to use Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, photo editors, etc., I just know how. If I was a digital immigrant, I would not be so used to such things and unable to recall a time before computers and smart phones.

Living in this so-called "digital generation" means that by the time I am an adult, potentially with children and students, the vast technological options will have been growing and will continue to grow substantially. And while I consider myself to be a digital immigrant, I also believe that growing up in an era where you are used to certain amenities doesn't mean you necessarily understand all your options and how to use them. There are many things I still don't understand about my phone and computer. I just used Microsoft Excel for the first time last semester (with my dad's, who would be considered a digital immigrant, help) and I still have to take my iPhone and MacBook in to the Apple store if I am having any kinds of problems because I can't always figure them out for myself. Likewise, there are many methods of teaching using technology that I have either never heard of or still don't know how to use. Consequently, if I want to succeed as an instructor in this generation, I still have a lot of learning and catching up to do, despite the fact that I would be considered a digital immigrant.

Luckily, I feel as if the problems with the divide between immigrant and native are few. Although my grandmother never has and never will even consider getting a computer because she doesn't find any of the hype to be necessary, and she still calls her cell phone (that she never uses) her "car phone", she does all of these things by choice. As I mentioned earlier, my dad understands software and computer programs that I am just now starting to use, and my dad is from the digital immigrant era. As are some of the men from the Apple store that have known far more about my devices than I probably ever will. It's a matter of choice. In my opinion, if you want to adapt to the growing field of technological devices,  you will. If you don't, you won't. And that goes for any age group or social divide you might be labeled in.

- Megan Singleton

meaningful learning journal

Right off the bat, just from reading the first paragraph of this chapter, I already liked where it was going. I like that this book is not just about understanding how to use technology, but why that technology is important. I don't think I've ever read anything more than a how-to on technology, and maybe that's why I've never understood the need for it. I agree that schools are all about testing and standardized testing, when that might not necessarily be the most beneficial way to teach children.

Upon reading this article, I now understand why technology is useful in a classroom, even if just to engage children in more intentional learning activities. I believe that the constructive skill is very important for comprehension because of the reflection it involves. Being able to think things through and process what you are learning can go a long way when it comes to remembering and understanding material. As an educator, I believe the collaboration skill is a very important one to integrate into the classroom. There are often lessons in class I only understand when they are explained to me by a peer, so I would of course want my students to have the same opportunity.

- Megan Singleton

technology reflection #2

Technology can be used in 21st century classrooms in a variety of ways. Chalkboards and white boards are being coming fewer and fewer as teachers have moved on to projectors and now smart boards. Technology is also helpful in auditorium-sized classrooms at universities such as here at UGA. Clickers, websites, and smart phone apps are just a few examples of technology devices that teachers can use to more efficiently check attendance, take surveys, have in-class quizzes, and more. If I was a schoolteacher, I would use technology to enhance my teaching by showing videos in class, giving PowerPoint presentations, and using clickers to more efficiently get answers from students.

- Megan Singleton

technology reflection #1

To me, technology is any device that makes things more readily and quickly available. That is also what I use technology for. I use my smart phone for quick answers on Google. I use my laptop to type things that would take longer to write. Technology is also for entertainment though. I use my smart phone for social media and talking to friends and family. I use my laptop for social media and to watch television, movies, etc. I also store pictures on my smart phone and laptop because although I’m not a photographer, photographs for memories are still very important to me.

            I am very fond of technology for entertainment and research purposes but I am not very technologically inclined. I wouldn’t mind a bit trying to learn how to work any and every technological device out there, I just can’t promise I would understand them all. There are many devices I wouldn’t have a clue how to use and frankly, I don’t see the need for most of the classroom technology devices anyway. I feel that traditional classrooms are just as relevant and useful as the classrooms that incorporate all the new kinds of technology that are out there. 

- Megan Singleton