# 1: Technology & Today

Paragraph 1: When I look back on how technology has been used throughout my whole education starting from the very beginning what stands out to me the most is the use of computers. While in elementary school getting to go to the computer lab one day was a privilege and something to be excited about, while in middle and high school it just signified more work that had to be done and was less of an excitement. While using computers can be very useful and helpful in getting what needs to be done accomplished there are some major downsides to having all children in one-classroom use computers. One of the biggest concerns is the fact that many schools have very diverse populations of students when it comes to socioeconomic status, in which that higher statues children are more comfortable and used to having computers and using them while lower children who may not have access struggle when in the computer lab. This takes extra time for the teacher to go one on one with the student to help them and show them exactly what to do and how to do it. Overall slowing the process and sometimes not even using the computers at all. Not only this but the fact that the role, played by teachers is getting overtaken by technology itself. Al children do not learn the same and computer systems do not change based on how the child learns. They need that one on one interaction and guidance from the teacher to help them succeed the best way possible. These problems addressed in the first two chapters are very real issues that need to be considered when technology is used in the classroom. 

Paragraph 2: Looking through the ISTE standards makes me happy that there are standards like this in place to truly mold and help the next generation grow. The standard the gladdens my heart would be the first one "Facilitate and Inspire student learning and creativity", this makes me happy for the simple fact that a child’s creativity in learning is so important to the process. A child’s imagination is one of the best tools a child has when it comes to learning and I believe that we should promote and engage that as much as possible when relating to the real world and problem solving. The standard that seems outside of my skill set would most likely be "Model digital age work and learning" simply because of the fact that the digital world and technology are not my strong skills. I feel that I still have a lot to learn about other kinds of technology necessary in the teaching environment to communicate properly with others. 

Paragraph 3: The term "digital native" has been very controversial for this generation because they truly are the first generations that are digital natives. This term meaning being born into a generation/society where technology is so easily accessible. Our parents never had to deal with that which is why it was so different for them growing up. You are able to tell with many older teachers while I was in school that were digital immigrants mainly because there were students having to help the teacher with technology many times. Along with many older teachers sticking to using chalk boards or white boards and the younger teachers using smart boards due to that comfort level that has been established there using technology in everything they do. A main difference that I anticipate between myself and my future students in terms of how I use technology is too make sure that I stay up to date on the technology at the time which is going to influence how my students learn. It will be important to know how they learn new things at home through technology so that I am able to transfer it into the classroom overall making it simpler for them to focus and learn.