Blog Post #2

    In schooling, I feel as if I used MS Word more than Google Docs. However, I definitely prefer Google Docs.  My elementary school was more paper based. We used our own technology for fun during game time, but only the teacher would use the computer. Fifth grade is when we started switching to more technology based assignments. We used MS Word for our papers and would turn them in electronically. In Middle School, most homework assignments were technology based. We had software similar to Canvas and would submit our assignments in that portal. My teachers would have us use MS Word to do any online written assignment. For my technology classes in 6th-8th grade, we only used Microsoft Programs. We had different prompts, like creating a newsletter, and would use MS Word to complete it. Our school wanted us to be technologically efficient and Microsoft programs is what we used to learn. In high school, I transferred counties. The school I started going to used Google Docs for just about everything. My Google Drive was setup with folders for each class, teachers could easily share documents and vice versa. Google Docs became my preferred processing software. So far in college, I have been typing my assignments into a Google Document and transferring it to the format/word processing software that my teachers prefer. The reason I prefer Google Docs over MS Word is because it is more simple to use. It automatically saves to your google drive, while MS Word makes it a whole process to save it. The connection that Google Docs has to Google Drive just allows me to stay more organized. Every Google Doc goes into a specific folder, and it helps me keep track of my work. Google Docs is also easier when sharing the document. If you give others access, they can edit your paper and add to it without having to resave it as a new document and resend it. I think Google Docs is better for collaborative work in that sense. MS Word works just fine. The two applications are extremely similar; however, Google Docs will always be my preferred word processing software. 

    The ISTE Standards describes 7 different things that teachers need to be: Learner, Leader, Citizen, Collaborator, Designer, Facilitator, and Analyst. Each of these explain different ways for teachers to be well rounded and effective under each umbrella. The standard that was most meaningful to me was "Designer." It is described as providing an environment that is accommodating, while fostering independent learning. The teacher should create effective lessons that comply with the common core standards, while teaching students to be technologically efficient in order to maximize their learning experience. This standard resonated with me as being important for K-12 educators because I believe learning environments needs to be adaptive. One teaching style will not work forever. As our world grows to be more technologically advanced, so do students. Every student has a different way of learning, so teaching should be accommodating/personalized. All students should have the opportunity to be successful in the classroom. Under the Designer umbrella, it is proposed to the reader as an accommodator who is going to focus on individual needs to ensure that each student can use technology to be a successful learner. I believe that this is an extremely important aspect to becoming an effective teacher, hence why it stood out to me the most. 

    I don't necessarily agree with the term "digital native;" however, I understand why it is being used to describe today's youth. I believe that today's youth were introduced to technology at a younger age compared to today's adults. You now see two-year-olds using iPads, whereas when my parents were that age technology like that wasn't available. For me, I remember getting an iPod touch in 2nd or 3rd grade. Today's youth utilizes technology for different things, and I think that is why the term "digital native" was coined.  The term digital native means someone who has grown up using technology. Their brains are still in the developmental stages to where it is easy to grasp the information needed to use technology effectively. I have seen the difference between digital natives and digital immigrants inside the classroom. Many of my older teachers have struggled to switch to a technological learning experience. I have had to help multiple teachers figure out how to set up Canvas pages, publish their assignments, and create ways to turn it in that work for both them and the students. It has definitely made my learning experience an interesting one. Things are always changing, and the teachers have been lenient with submitting assignments. Throughout the course of the year, my digital immigrant teachers have grown with their use of technology, and things got easier. Some of my digital immigrant teachers refused to do anything on the computer. It made things, for me at least, more difficult to keep track of. As for differences between me and my future students in terms of technology use, I think it will be difficult. Technology is always changing, so I am going to have to constantly familiarize myself with the new apps that my students will be using. I will have to ask them what applications they prefer to use for information and making sure they stay up to date with assignments. Since I am a digital native myself, I feel like it will not be too difficult to learn how to use new apps. It may take a little bit, but I know I will dedicate time to learn. I want to make sure there is not a disconnect between me and my future students.