Week 1

For reasons that I cannot explain, I have always been better at manipulating
technology than most of my peers. Technology seems to be something I am naturally
good with, but most people would not realize this when they first meet me. I work for a
software company, so I have gained a great deal of hands on experience with servers and corporate systems, just like the infrastructure of a school. I realize just how efficient
technology can make an organization, when it is applied appropriately. If the technology
that is implemented has flaws, it will result in larger problems than the company had in
the beginning. I see these fears in potential clients regularly, which makes me a better
evaluator of software and hardware. I will pick out the software that I use in my
classroom based off of the evaluations I perform on the software, using the skillset my
experience as an employee of a software company has given me.
Due to the potential for personal security compromises, I have chosen to remove
myself from social media. Additionally, I realize the importance of being present in a
room and being present in a conversation. Therefore, I put away the distractions that
come from emails, cell phones, computers, and iPads while I’m with other people.
Additionally, I do not watch TV because I am too busy to waste time watching movies
and television shows. Overall, I use technology to increase my effectiveness as a leader
and communicator, but I do not let technology control my life.
Similarly, I will not allow technology to control my classroom. It will be a tool
that I use to assist my students assimilate information into schema through visual
stimulants. I will not just use technology to be using technology. Additionally, I will not
replace interpersonal communication with technology, because students text and post
enough to be experts on how to communicate outside of speech. I will foster the growth
of their social skills through classroom forums that are done in person, not in online chat
rooms because the digital divide results in half of my students not having access to the
internet or computers.

I'm naturally good with computers, but do you think kids are naturally better with technology than their parents?