What I learned 9.12

Technology is a very important part of teaching and learning in our schools today. It is a very useful tool, but does not assume that students with technology will be more successful in the classroom.  It is crucial that as a teacher, I know how to use technology for several reasons. First of all, students will expect technology to be used.  Videos, pictures, powerpoints, etc.  will help me appeal to a wide variety of learners.  It will keep the students' attention. However, more importantly, I must teach my students how and when to use technology.  Given the right circumstances, the internet can lend itself to learning on students' own time. For instance, it is much easier for students to do research on the internet than it is for them to go to a library.  Moreover, students will need to be proficient with technology for the job market after school.  Future employers will almost certainly demand a sufficient understanding of technology from new hires. In the classroom, the more I can involve the students, the better.  If they are participating and I resist classes which are only lectures, I will have better results as a teacher.
In addition, there are many differences between digital  natives and immigrants.  Natives are much more familiar and used to using technology. Therefore, they are more comfortable turning first to technology to solve problems. For instance, they may turn immediately to the internet to find the answer of a questions instead of the library.  On the other hand, an immigrant may turn to technology only after he or she has exhausted all other options.

The Differences Between Classrooms of Last Century and Today

Teaching and learning has changed significantly over the last century.  It is important for teachers to recognize these changes so that they can adapt and become comfortable in an ever changing environment. Failure to do so will certainly have endless negative effects on our students.  Today, students play a more active role in their own learning. Teachers  allow students to learn by doing and monitor their progress, interacting when necessary. Students may build models, research, or create projects instead of listening to lectures. Next, each subject relates to each other.  That means that skills learned in one class are needed in another. The topics may be loosely related or even an extension of a single lesson which applies to more than one subject.  Thirdly, students have many more resources at their disposal than they did a century ago.  Students not only have an endless supply of books, but they also have technology including computers, the internet,  and other software programs.  Students who need varying levels of attention are afforded it through individualized lessons and programs.  Importantly, the goal of school has changed.  It is no longer for students to learn facts. Rather, successful schooling is marked with students understanding how to learn on their own.  If a student knows how to ask questions and subsequently find answers to those questions, he can learn anything he or she wants to. Therefore, assessments have had to change as well. They no longer call for students to repeat facts that they heard in the classroom.  Instead students use projects and presentations to demonstrate what they have learned.  This gives the students a freedom to express what they learned on a wider scale.
To be a successful teacher today, one would have had to adapt from the 20th century.  The teacher is no longer the sole facilitator of learning.  Instead he or she has an active role and must stay active to be successful.  Teachers must work with one another and administrators to ensure they are using the most up to date methods and curriculums.  Teachers also must be aware of individual studetns' learning styles and appeal to all of them.  Meanwhile, the teacher must also institute cooperation amongst the students themselves.  They must work together in order to learn skills needed in the real world.  Social skills and teamwork are crucial skills that do not necessarily fall within the normal boundaries of classroom learning.  Next, teachers must continuously update their superiors, other teachers, and parents on the progress of the class and individual students.  Perhaps one or more students is struggling and may require extra help.  The teaching profession has evolved significantly in the past century and if we want to keep up on the World stage, we must be committed to keeping up with that change.