Blog ②

Hello again and welcome to my second blog :) Hope everyone is having a wonderful time at FSU!

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I have been writing essays and projects on computers and laptops since I was 11. Back in my junior high years in Vietnam, I used to use MS Word primarily to learn typing, write essays, and decorate simple posters as parts of the Intro to Technology/Computer Science curriculum. I remember trying out all tools in MS Word 2010 version and exploring some new features offered in the 2013 version, which was a bit more complex than the former one. However, when I started high school in Texas and got my very first personal laptop, I began switching from MS Word to Google Docs —mainly used for in-class assignments and teacher-student collaborations— and Pages for personal notes, major essays, and large projects. Right now, I prefer using Pages because I am most familiar with its features and stylings after more than three (3) years of solely relying on this software. I can also type my documents on Pages whenever and wherever, offline or online, on Mac or on phone. Nonetheless, I am doing my best to learn how to use MS Word again for college since it is connected to my FSU account, making it easier for me to find, locate, and manage all my files in one place. 

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After reading the ISTE Standards, I believe "Learner" is the most meaningful quality for me as a future educator. As technology is improving with hundreds of new applications and upgraded features every day, and demand for online learning is on the rise, educators of all levels should keep them updated on little changes and learn how to use those recently developed programs. By doing so, teachers can explore a wide range of learning software and decide which one they should incorporate into their daily teaching techniques and plans. Instructors should also engage in a global-learning network to discover some different pedagogical strategies proposed by other educators around the world to learn and better themselves, as we are living in a globalized and multicultural setting. Moreover, people learn every day, anywhere and anytime, and so do educators. Before one can master and further develop something, one must first learn how to use it. Before educators pass on their knowledge and tips to others, they should thoroughly study educational technology. Don't you think there is a reason why "Learner" is placed above all other standards in the ISTE list?

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Personally, I do not agree with Prensky's assumptions regarding the "digital native" generation. Although the youth today widely use technology for daily communications, schooling, work, or collaborations, not every one of them can quickly get used to a variety of up-to-date technology and applications. Young people may also have to spend the same amount of time, as some older adults, going through tutorials and memorizing steps of how to use a particular software. Some young people do not like using smartphones or laptops for daily routines but instead, prefer the old-fashioned style; some don't even have access to modern technology at all! By the way, I admit that some teachers —especially those who teach subjects other than computer science and technology— have been facing difficulties learning and setting up new ways of learning online during the pandemic, and they often try to figure out how to solve problems when teaching via computers. Still, after some time of practicing, educators started getting used to those applications and becoming experts who show students how to use them. In the future, I anticipate that the way I and my students use technology will not differ much since I will try learning and updating technological trends and software to make me feel comfortable when teaching and communicating with students in an educational environment, whether in-person or online. 

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