Digital Blog Post #A

Becoming a 21st century teacher compared to the teaching I grew up knowing has definitely changed drastically due to the growth in technology.  Now that I am on the path to becoming a teacher, I can see that the way I grew up learning will not be the same for the newer generations.

The first concept that caught my attention is that grade school students now are known members of an iGeneration.  iGeneration are those whom have grown up using digital technology every single day of their lives.  Being born in 1989, I do not consider myself from this generation, but it was upcoming when I was still in some of my very own learning stages of life.  I see kids at the age of 6-7 years of age that are very technology literate to the point where they can find things that even I cannot.  Here is a video ad on the way Huawei is planning to create technology that can engage a student in the classroom using similar methods of interest, such as tablets and programs similar to facebook.

The second concept that caught my attention is how an everyday workday as a teacher is almost 100% technology based.  It was known to me elementary school teachers coming into the classroom carrying his or her grade book, folder full of homework to be graded and a calendar to fill in.  Now I watch my college professors walk in with only a laptop and a clicker in hand.  Times have greatly changed and now have a technology-based library, textbook, environment, teaching tools and office.  Students no longer need paper back books to follow along and have the opportunity to download versions onto a tablet, submit assignments online, ask questions through email and receive his or her grades through an online grade book.  Here is an article which describe 15 characteristics of a 21st century teacher.

The third concept that caught my attention is knowing that we each have a "digital identity".  Digital identity refers to ones technology talents and competencies.  After reading this chapter I realized that this is an identity that will continue to build no matter the career path.  In the teaching profession, we must keep up with what kinds of interests in technology future generations are using so teachers can incorporate it into a lesson plan for successful learning.

In conclusion, with this just being the first chapter of the semester, I am excited to continue to learn much more of how I can become a successful 21st century teacher.  Technology is advancing and we must use it to our advantage to teach future generations with what they are growing up with.  We now have the ability to teach with technology, teach outside the classroom with technology and record with technology.

Photo credit to Ken Whytock on Flickr

Resourses

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.