EDLD 5364 Week 1 Part 1

Technology is changing the way we do just about everything in our daily lives. it is imperative that education not be left behind in utilizing the tools that are being developed in society. Students' vocabulary includes "let me google it", "just message me on facebook", "I tweeted about that", and my 5 year old grandson recently added, "I can download the app for that". What we know is constantly changing and as teachers we need to be familiar and ready to use the tools that are students use. Technology has opened many doors and opportunities that we would never have imagined as far as bridging our small community with the world. Our students have the opportunity to view webcams of rare and exotic animals in zoos in other counties. I often feel that I become a bit overwhelmed with all of the technology that is around. However, to my students, having a cell phone conversation while texting a friend, downloading apps for just about everything while listening to their iPod or reading a book in their Kendel or Nook is like using extensions of their own hands and fingers. Learning how we learn is not new to educators, but learning how we learn in such a technology rich (or influenced) environment is new. Our students' brains are being wired differently as they multi, multi task. Often this multitasking means that they do not do any one thing well, but rather that what they do seriously lacks substance. Each task they undertake suffers since they cannot give all of their attention to a specific task at hand. There is a need for educators to step outside their comfort zone and integrate technology into their curriculum in what many tec hnology directors would hope to be a seemless effort. However, there must also me a mix of traditional educational experiences that students can build upon.