Blog #2

I remeber being in Second Grade and going to a computer specific class. We definitly got familiar with tools like Microsoft Word as well as Microsoft Powerpoint. I also remember growing up, I would play around on the desktop computer in my parents' bedroom and just learned the ropes of these services. As I grew up and moved into middle and high school, I started to use Google Docs much more. I still used Word for classes like CGS2060 and since acquiring Office365, I have once again gravitated towards Word again. 

Of the ISTE Standards for Educators, I think that standard 2.1 (Learner) is super important. It states that "educators continually improve their practice by learning from and with others and exploring proven and promising practices that leverage technology to improve student learning," (ISTE). The reason I think this standard is so important is because teachers can also be in the process of learning at the same time as their students. They have to grow and adapt as new technology develops to aid in teaching students. They may not be as knowledgable as the younger generation that they are teaching, so it is a process that both student and teacher go through together. It is also important that teachers keep an open mind about new learning techniques and technology. 

I think you could definitely argue that mine and my peers generation could be labeled as "digital natives." I also think that while my generation is more adept when it comes to navigating tech, there were probabaly different levels of exposure to it; it depends on the person. Seeing how someone like my mom, an educator herself, navigates technology is interesting because I would totally consider her a "digital immigrant." Things that come easy to me regarding technology give her trouble, which is totally okay, it just goes to show the difference between coming into technology brand new vs. being brought up using it. I think that there are a lot of gadgets and advancements in technology that eventually I may have a trouble learning to use but will come easily to my future students. It just goes to show how things continue to develop. 

In my elementary school, we were given badges based on these standards known as the Learner Profiles. My school was IB oriented and these standards included attributes like "Caring", "Risk-Taker", "Reflective", "Inquirer", and more. Every week, my teacher would give out badges like these to students who exeplified the attribute. I earned one in 5th grade for being a good Communicator. I think badges are a good way of rewarding students who are behaving as students should, with respect for themsleves, their teachers, and their classmates.