Digital Blog Post A: Chapter 1

These are three concepts from Chapter 1 that I found most interest:

1. Computer Technologies
2. Technology-Based Learning Environment
3. Your Must-Have Technologies for Teaching

The first concept I chose was primarily about how people molded computers into what they are now, but it also explains the irony on how we reference them for information.  Something about this does make me a little worried when I become a teacher, because I want to here my students explanation for something, rather than just something from the internet.  The internet can definitely be a excellent source of information, but it should just for the sake of informing you, rather than just copying what somebody has already wrote down.  In my own time as a student my teachers were able to explain to me the difference between something that was composed through shear hard work and effort instead of the typical formula where students just simply reference the work instead offering their insight.  Overall, technology is without a doubt a good thing because it makes writing papers and outsourcing information easier, but it also always important to remember that the assignment must be your own work while referencing the preexisting material instead of trying to stretch out as your own.

The next concept that I found fascinating is introducing technology-based learning environments, which hopes to expand the school experience beyond its normal hours by allowing teacher and student communications.  I actually really like the idea of this concept, because this way I can offer study lessons over the internet and engage in any conversations with my students who may be in need of existence.  I know personally that this can really useful to student outside the classroom, unfortunately, only a handful of my high school teachers employed this method, so I often experienced panic attacks over an assignment I did not fully understand.  Expanding the classroom through technology is probably one of the best concepts I read so far, and the interaction and collaboration will be on a new level.

The final concept that caught my attention was asking teachers what they believe to be to most essential pieces of technology for a progressing learning environment.  This is a really debatable question, as there can be more than one answer based on several different perspectives.  One might say the computer is the most essential for a classroom because it is one of the most primal examples of technological advancement, but another could counter that a tablet could be more essential because of its mobility in and out of a classroom contrary to the computer that is only stationary which can be further countered with the existence of laptops.  In my opinion I think that notebooks would probably be one of the best pieces of technology because it can posses a higher processing power than a tablets, but can be more durable and easily as portable.

Conclusion
My final thoughts on this chapter really lets me think how much deeper the concept of educational technologies is than I initially thought.  I now know that ideas that are involved with technology improving student output are going to be explained in more ways than just one, as it is not just simply about information, as it could mean various other things such communication.  It will all depend on which aspect of the student curriculum is most improved due to the extended use of technology regardless of what it may be, it could be phones, computers, tablets, or just simply advanced calculators.  Regardless of what it may be, I have a positive feeling that technology is going to be the most influential in improved communication with peers and educators.

Photo credit to Igb06 on Flickr

References

Maloy, R., O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc.

H, P. (2012, November 21). Technology in Education. Retrieved September 1, 2015,from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXyCECMxhOs