Blog Post 1: Technology Strengths and Weaknesses

Considering the five principles of the ISTE Standards for Teachers (2008), there is much to be considered and practiced if we are to be prepared as educators and to prepare today's youth. I am most comfortable and confident in encouraging students to learn creatively and in using technology to promote that creativity. Using supplemental materials such as interactive phone apps, videos, and multimedia presentations transform subject matter into relevant material students are eager to interact with and learn about. Showing students how to balance new technologies with old invites well-rounded collaboration between the teachers, students, and digital world. The students of today live in a fast-paced, rapidly-changing world that offers information at every turn and with every new technological invention and improvement. To maintain effectiveness and relevancy in education, it is imperative that teachers and librarians utilize technology regularly and responsibly so as to serve as examples to our students and to prepare them for success in the digital world of today.    

Facilitating and inspiring student learning is something I promote by integrating technology into lessons and interaction. Abandoning the stand up and lecture model a little more each year, I strive to use current programs and technology in my instruction, tasks, and evaluation. Incorporating interactive polling websites, like Kahoot!, involve students with the content through their mobile devices, grant immediate feedback, and add  convert the lecture into an engaging activity. In addition, using educational video blogs and YouTube segments to supplement lesson content improves the chances of retention because they reiterate concepts in a new format and allow for students to revisit the content on their own time.  Essentially, ISTE Standards 1-3 (2008) are standards I consciously follow and practice.

It’s ISTE Standards 4 and 5 (2008) that I do not as routinely promote, model, or practice. For example, relating to Standard 4 (2008), it is rare that my students and I discuss the proper use of images. With advanced search engines as they are today, it’s extremely convenient to copy and paste images without considering copyright or fair use regulations and restrictions. While I am aware that using images is risky, I have not been very diligent about modeling completely ethical digital behavior. I would like to become more familiar with methods and websites with images and material that is allowable for students and teachers to use without fear of copyright infringement. This is an area where I could participate in more professional development and training to gain the knowledge and skills needed.

In conjunction with fair use and copyright, I passionately believe that one of the most important focuses of librarian and teacher instruction alike should be digital citizenship. Digital citizenship encompasses everyone in the education community. It is crucial that students, parents, teachers, and librarians acquaint themselves with best practices for interacting with and participating in the digital world around us. Learning to implement policies, utilize online resources, and involve myself in professional training are ways in which I hope to improve my instructional strategies and technological prowess.     

International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). ISTE standards for teachers. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/20-14_ISTE_Standards-T_PDF.pdf