Blog Post #1

    As someone who is passionate about the quality of students' learning experiences, I hope to learn how technology can enhance that experience. Introduction to Educational Technology is an important class for anyone planning to be an educator. When I considered becoming a teacher, I was particularly interested in working with Kindergarten through third grade, where children are developing crucial social, cognitive, and emotional skills. I recognize that this age group is growing up in a world where technology is ubiquitous; they have never known a time without it. I believe this class will help bridge the gap between myself as an educator and my students, who are navigating this new technological landscape. I am eager to learn various methods for using technology to benefit classroom learning while minimizing distractions and staying aligned with lesson plans. I am especially interested in strategies for utilizing technology positively to enhance, rather than hinder, children's learning abilities.    

    I feel fortunate to be part of the generation that experienced life before and after the digital age. When I was in middle school, I got my first phone, a traditional flip phone with minutes. It wasn’t a touchscreen device; it had Tetris for entertainment and was child restricted. My parents not only took my phone away at a certain time each night but also set up various restrictions on the device. At the time, I was frustrated by their strictness regarding devices and the internet. However now, as a 22-year-old who has grown up in Florida public schools, I understand their reasoning. Entering middle school, many of my friends wanted to be seen as "cool," which during that period meant having a phone and being active on social media. The early exposure to phones and Instagram during my middle school years changed how I communicated with classmates and how we cultivated relationships. We could connect online, share media amongst one another, and were exposed to much more than what might have been appropriate for our age.    

    When I entered high school, I was a cheerleader, and social media presence was a significant issue during 2015-2020. Platforms like Instagram were still evolving with trends such as the participatory challenges, spam accounts (or "finstas"), and nude photos circulating of students on Snapchat. Many of us faced challenges because our teachers and staff who were older didn't understand technology or social media as well as we did. It was my responsibility to manage my accounts carefully and avoid posting anything that could damage my reputation as a role model on campus. Now, my social media network includes college classmates, former colleagues, and family members. I keep my accounts exclusive to content and people I choose to engage with, ensuring that nothing inappropriate or illegal is associated with them. I am aware that digital records are permanent and take that into account in all my online interactions. I enjoy learning about the impact of individual decisions on others and am particularly interested in fitness and education and their potential to improve our society. I use this knowledge to be an active community member, working as a personal trainer and sharing informative fitness tips on my account.