First, responding to innovation and change was informative to me in the sense that it gave me insight as to how other educators handle technology. I realized that I consider myself to be an Early Adapter, as classified in figure 2.1 on page twenty-six while there are educators who refuse to use technology aside from the administrative responsibilities. Change is very difficult to adapt to for many individuals, but I see it as an exciting challenge to engage myself and my students. I hope that when I begin working in education, I find a school and a team that is supportive and forward thinking in technology. No more blackboards! Although, I kind of miss the smell... it that weird?
Second, using technology to enhance teaching, when done properly is a gold mine! I feel that it is still important for the educator to have the instruction time in which the students learn from the teacher as the source of knowledge. That being said, technology can enhance even the dullest lectures with interactive slides and colorful pictures to enhance the listener’s understanding of the topic. While reading this section of chapter two, I was enlightened to learn that there are many pros to incorporating technology into the lesson plan, but my favorite is motivating students to learn. In an era where technology is our present and our foreseeable future, it is likely that most students will thrive when given the opportunity to learn through technology.
Third, I want to reflect on teacher-centered and student-centered. When I began down the path of education, I aspired to be like the teachers I grew up with. Students like myself learned from lectures and the teacher being our source of information. We did not use tablets or computers to learn, and our technology was not digital. It feels like a simpler time. However, our society is so diverse now than it was when I was a child. As I continue to become educated about the ways students learn, it makes me realize how many students would have further succeeded if they only had the ability to learn the way they were wired to learn. I love this article about Rick Scott passing a student-centered learning bill for students with disabilities. I can only hope that all students will have the equal opportunity to learn in a way that caters to them as individuals.
In conclusion, as I continue my journey to becoming an educator, I find myself more attracted to the concept of student-centered education. I am becoming more and more aware of how technology can enhance education, and how I can incorporate technology into my classroom. Further, I have realized that while I am ready to jump ship and learn about all things digital, many of my coworkers, parents, administrators, and students may take a little longer to understand the benefits technology will forever provide.
Below is a lengthy video. However, please take a moment to watch how Sugata Mitra explains how technology changed the way children can learn, and how quickly they learn with access to technology. While this video discusses these changes in other countries, it applies to our students here as well.
Resources
Bennett, C. (n.d.). Bitstrips for Schools. Retrieved February 07, 2016, from http://www.bitstripsforschools.com/comics/WS58W1/
Bennett, C. (n.d.). Poetry by futureleaderstoday on Storybird. Retrieved February 07, 2016, from http://storybird.com/poetry/poem/cxyywxskw4/
Bennett, L. (2013, July 2). Governor Scott Signs Student-Centered Bills. Retrieved February 07, 2016, from http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/Governor-Scott-Signs-Student-Centered-Bill-214065761.html
Kunnen, E. (2015, August 03). Emerging Technologies to Enhance Teaching and Enable Active Learning. Retrieved February 07, 2016, from http://er.educause.edu/articles/2015/8/emerging-technologies-to-enhance-teaching-and-enable-active-learning
TedGlobal2010. (2010, July). The child-driven education. Retrieved February 07, 2016, from http://www.ted.com/talks/sugata_mitra_the_child_driven_education?language=en
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