"Reflect on the role that technology has played in your education thus far. What role do you see technology playing in your future career as an educator?"
Looking back, I'd say that technology has had a pretty big impact on my education so far. Particularly, on my ability to educate myself. I remember having computers in school when I was very young, but more so I remember the computers I had at home. My dad was always a technology nerd, so we tended to have the latest gadgets at home long before I encountered them in school. More than anything I remeber taking the technology skills I learned at school, such as typing and navigating the internet, and using them at home by writing and researching things that interested me. While my father was in school for Computer Micromanagement, he would always come how and share his knowledge about Adobe Photoshop or the newest operating systems he was working with, which let me get aquainted with those kinds of things very early on.
Even in the classroom throughout my early education though, I can definately see where technology played a large role. I can't remember a time before powerpoints or computer tutorials. I'm sure I take it for granted; I remember up until high school working with other students who could barely type or find their way around a word document. But I think I've always been lucky to have a strong connection with technology, and access to information about it, and it's definately followed me all through my schooling. And the connection between technology and education will only get more prominent.
Even though I considered myself pretty good with technology when I was young, I'm surprised to see how quickly young kids are picking it up today. I know several four and five year olds who can not only find the games on my iPhone without help, but are consistently better at Angry Birds than I am. Technology is everywhere now; before children even start school, most of them know the basics of operating all kinds of different devices. Which makes it all the more important to have technology in the classroom to keep them engaged. Having so much technology at our fingertips gives us some incredible opportunities. We have quick access to endless information and abilities to create.
As a future educator, I plan to integrate technology into my teaching as much as possible. Children are so engrossed in technology in this day and age, and that relationship is only going to continue to grow. Educators need to grow with it. By using technology in teaching lessons, and letting the kids use it as well, you take something that already interests them and integrate learning into it.
As a future educator, I plan to integrate technology into my teaching as much as possible. Children are so engrossed in technology in this day and age, and that relationship is only going to continue to grow. Educators need to grow with it. By using technology in teaching lessons, and letting the kids use it as well, you take something that already interests them and integrate learning into it.
