Teaching in Digital Times

Computers and technology are very important in educational settings.  Without them in this ever-evolving, digital day and age most people would be lost.  We are, as a whole, very reliant on technology to help us complete a very large amount of assignments and tasks for school and work.  In a classroom setting, there probably isn't any other type of medium for education more efficient than computers.  They are used to show presentations and PowerPoints, write essays, give instruction, and so many other things that some may not even realize.  Even now, as I am being severely distracted by my phone, I am using a form of technology that I would otherwise be in trouble without.  In the chapters, the importance of using technology as an educator is greatly emphasized.  Without the access to computers in the classroom, some students would not be able to have access to them at all, whatever the circumstances may be.  Adapting to the ways the students learn and use technology is essential for effectively teaching them.

Becoming a teacher is not my overall goal but there are many aspects and characteristics of a teacher that I will most certainly use in my life.  Absorbing these characteristics and teaching styles are crucial for, I think, most careers nowadays.  What I can take from these teachers are techniques of teaching and refreshing people on how to use the technology I have grown up with.  I would use technology to organize my notes and thoughts on various topics relating to my work, to communicate to my peers (at work as well as outside of work), and use audio/visual cues to help people to remember what I am showing to them.  I will also work to accommodate as many learning styles as best I can in order to really understand the person I am working alongside.  I hope to learn from this class how to effectively communicate my ideas and presentations through the use of technology.  I also want to better my understanding of how to incorporate the systems previously used while still keeping up with the never-ending evolution of technology.

The term "digital native" is used to describe those who were born into the Digital Age.  We know what the latest technology is and we know how to use it, while those who are a little older may face more challenges to truly grasp what the new technological fad is.  I do agree with the idea of "digital natives."  As one myself, I acknowledge the fact that I grew up learning how to use these kind of advanced computers and tablets.  We have it slightly easier than someone who may be a "digital immigrant," due solely to fact that this new technology was suddenly introduced and is constantly being thrust upon them before they ever get the chance to master the previous one.  We, as natives to these quick upgrades, are used to having to adapt to the new technology.  Now, I am not saying in any way that this is how it is for all adults who are not "digital natives," I'm simply acknowledging that we have it easier.  There have been numerous times in class where the teacher cannot figure out how to change something on the computer or turn something on.  The class would sigh because, to us, this is simple.  But us teaching our educators how to use something they didn't before betters the use of technology in classrooms, helping us all to be more successful.  In the future, this title of "digital natives" may switch from my generation to my brother's generation.  Technology is forever changing and I anticipate to receive a few sighs from the younger people when I forget how to change a setting on my hologram.

Learning about Learning Styles

I am constantly using technology one way or another.  Whether it is using my iPhone to message my friends or writing a ten page paper on my laptop.  Technology is surrounding all of us all the time.  I'm not too technologically advanced when it comes to more complicated tasks, but I am just savvy enough to get the job done; especially when it comes to the more creative side of things.  I have taken four digital design classes, as well as completed certifications in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator.  In addition to these programs, I am also reliant on my Microsoft Office account for many of my everyday tasks.  Writing papers and applying for scholarships just would not be the same without the help from Word.

Because my major (Editing, Writing, and Media) and future career are very technologically demanding, I'm hoping to learn many of the basic and advanced skills needed to be truly successful when using many computer programs.  With the world becoming more and more digitized with each day, the ability to utilize these skills will make someone an incredible asset to anything he/she goes into, which is what I am hoping to achieve.  What I am hoping to learn from this class is how to properly work with a variety of different programs that I can use to better myself and those around me.

When I completed the Learning Styles Questionnaire, my results were half what I had expected.  Having taken a learning style test before, I went into the questionnaire ready to see similar results.  However, two of the results were a little surprising.  Between an active learner and a reflective learner the quiz determined that I am more of a reflective learner, which is something that I was not expecting.  I do agree with most of the reflective learning result description because I do like to think about what I'm learning before going out and trying it out.  The other result that was not what I had expected was the verbal learning style.  When I took a different learning style test about two years ago, it showed me that I was a visual learner.  While this Questionnaire shows that I'm fairly balanced between verbal and visual learning styles, the result leans more toward the verbal style.  Comparing what I remember about my first results with the new results I received today just goes to show how my learning style has changed over the years.