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Transforming Learning with New Technology 

Chapter 1: Becoming a 21st Century Teacher

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     As I began to read this chapter, I immediately connected to Hilary. She knew she wanted to be a teacher ever since she was a young girl and knew she would go on to continue her dreams to do so. As a teacher, it is important to recognize how technology continues to emerge and influence the classroom. In the classroom I'm in now for student teaching, they are highly dependent on technology. They use Ipads to share student's work, smartboards to write and copy notes, and laptops to record data and share information. There are no chalkboards used in the classrooms, proving that technology is becoming more prevalent.

    What shocked me was that 4-14-year-olds prefer smartphones and tablets to any other digital device. This proves that even very young children have access to technology. I remember my family always pushing me to go outside and be active. I don't even remember phones being an option to play with when I was four.

    However, I believe that technology is a great resource for the classroom. It keeps work organized and a great way to find research. It saves teacher's and student's time by not having to go to a library to search for a book, but rather find it at the tips of their fingers. Also, being a college student, it is great to take online courses that way you have the time to do everything that you have to do in the day and then go back to your home in your bed and complete an assignment.

   It is crucial to learn about the I-Generation as it will influence our teaching. What shocked me is that about 51% of elementary students own a tablet. This is essential to know.


Chapter 1: Tasks Before Apps

     This book really put everything into perspective. Although technology is becoming a dominant feature in today's world we, as teachers, must recognize how to use technology in a classroom. We must put the "Task before Apps," meaning that we must think about the learning objective at hand before trying to use technology. We must create a lesson first and then utilize the technology somewhere into that lesson, not vice or versa. An example would be if you want a student to develop an understanding of the scientific method by conducting an experiment, there are places in which technology could be utilized. You may want to consider a Skype visit with a scientist from a university lab. This is just one of the many ways you can incorporate technology in a lesson. 


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