Digital blog post #A Chapter 1

Technology has increased over these last few years. Nowadays, you can't go anywhere without being surrounded by technology. It has changed how the world works. You can talk to friends online, take an online class, shop online (my favorite thing to do), and so many other things. This new generation seems to know a lot more about technology because they use it in their daily lives. It seems like you can ask a five year old how to do something with new technology and they end up showing you things you never knew was possible. My fiancé younger sister who is six years old, goes on youtube all the time to watch these videos called "shartards" ( I believe that's how you spell it). She finds these videos by talking into the Ipad.I didn't even know you could do that on youtube.

    The first concept I thought is important is the iGeneration, which is youngsters who have been around technolongy their whole generation by using computers to go on the internet and cell phones. In this generation is when cell phones became high tech and you can basicly do anything on a cell phone, wether it be paying a bill to texting a friend. People who were born since the late 1990's are in this generation and myself is one of these people. In the textbook, it states that 95% of 12-17 year olds are online and 80% of these adolesecents use social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media websites.  I use all the social media I know about to interact with people I know. Every morning, I check social media like it's the newspaper and I know I'm not the only one who does this.
    Another concept that I believe is important is Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK). This is very important while becoming a 21st century teacher because you can interact with your students using technology that they are familiar with. Teachers use three different forms of knowledge that are 1.) content knowledge which includes the essential academic subject matter that teachers use in elementary school 2.) Pedagogical knowledge which is all information that teachers know about different teaching methods, curriculum development, and instructional design 3.) Technological knowledge that includes knowing how to use different types of technology. Through out school, different teachers that I've had use different types of technology to help studdents learn wether it be youtube videos to explain a lesson more clearer to websites that allow you to interact to gain more knowledge. I've used websites that help me study for classes that do walk through on the assignment that is being taught. 
    The last concept that is also important is technology-based learning environment. This concept allows new possibilities to extend the classroom beyond the school day. This allows teachers to get students engaged into  the subject or lesson by relating it into something they know how to do nowadays, which is technology. Teachers can post notes, discussion questions, extra readings, and assignments that students can access to enhance their learning. Also, online tutors as well as videos to help the students who need that extra help. I've seen kids today that have homework to do online instead of homework on a piece of paper. This way of learning is more useful in my opinion because you can always go back to it and review it how often you need. 
   With technology forming so quickly, it's hard on some teachers that don't know that much about technology because it can help out their students who know how to use technology. It's important that teachers know how to engage their students in learning by relating it into something they know how to use which is technology. Becoming a 21st century teacher, you must know the basic concepts of technology and how to use it in your classrooms so the students can relate and can succeed by using sources that would be more helpful to them, like websites that help reteach the lesson. YouTube can help with a lot of lesson because students can watch videos and get a visual idea. 







Textbook - 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.