Interactivity #3: Generating a State of the Art Inventory

As future educators, we will be expected to work with our colleagues in order to enhance our students’ learning experience.  When I first read the guidelines for this interactivity and realized it was a group project, I must admit I was a bit frustrated.  Group work in person is hard enough, now imagine it online.  I’ve never been a fan of group projects, because I’ve always been the person who ends up doing the majority of the work.  However, unlike my previous experiences, working with Google Spreadsheet allowed us to monitor each member’s contribution by accessing the revision history.  Being able to determine accountability ensured that each member contributed his/her share.

At first conducting the interactivity seemed difficult because someone had to take the initiative to email the group and create the spreadsheet.  However, once Cathleen initiated the process, the steps became a lot easier to complete.  Since I was the third person to start editing, I had a better idea of how my fellow group members wanted to organize the spreadsheet.  Finding the technologies was also simple.  Seeing their ideas inspired me and helped me come up with technologies of my own.  Overall, the interactivity was enlightening.  It allowed me to realize that group projects can be manageable as long as there is communication and collaboration.   

Interactivity #2: The History of Technology in Schools

Redefining speech with a whole new vocabulary. 

Interactivity 1: Technology as Autobiography

Albert Einstein once stated: “It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.”  Although it is true that elements of our humanity have been replaced by technology, it is also true that in today’s world technology plays a vital role.  The three most influential communication technologies in my life are my cell phone, computer, and television.  Just like Olivia mentions in the video, technology is indeed “my lifeline.”  My cell phone not only keeps me in contact with family and friends, but it also allows me to access information instantaneously through the internet.  Nowadays smartphones perform the same functions as desktop computers and laptops, but, just like the boy stated in the video "Learning to Change, Changing to Learn,” have the convenience of being compact and portable.  While having a smartphone is great, there are certain tasks I feel can be completed more effectively through a computer, such as writing papers and researching information.  Having access to the internet is like having a library of information at your disposal.  Lastly, besides entertainment, television also caters to the instant acquisition of information.  With modern technology, we are able to view news live and receive news updates almost immediately. 

As a future educator, it is important to know what technological resources my students have access to and are familiar with.  In Olivia’s video, when the teacher asks what technologies students have access to, she is able to establish an open communication with her students.  Knowledge of what resources are available to my students will dictate what assignments are appropriate for the class.  Not only is it important to understand the relationship between my students and technology, but it is also important to understand that technology encourages creativity, critical thinking, hands on activities, and engages students in the learning process.  This is evident not only in Olivia’s video but also in the second video “Learning to Change, Changing to Learn.”  The children are able to express their creativity when they are designing their Myspace pages.  They are also able to enhance their learning experiences by utilizing these technological resources, as is seen with the girl who learned Japanese over the computer.  

Although there are many advantages to incorporating technology into the classroom setting, technology should be solely used as an aid and support system.  It should not be allowed to take over the classroom, because then students lose that element of humanity and those face to face interactions that are also essential for the learning experience.  Just like the girl states in the “Learning to Change, Changing to Learn” video: “I’m a person. I’m not a computer.”  

Introduction

My name is Jessica Rodriguez and I am 21 years old.  I am a full time student at Montclair State University and currently majoring in English Education.  After graduating MSU, I plan to teach at the middle school or high school level.  Although teaching has always been my passion, I realized I wanted to specialize in English during my 8^th grade year.  I was heavily inspired by my 8^th grade teacher, who made literature alluring through her creative lesson plans.  Other experiences that inspired me to pursue a career in education were peer tutoring and working as a volunteer teacher at my church. 

Throughout my education, I have been exposed to various levels of general technology including computers and projectors.  I also have basic knowledge in computer programs such as Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, and Excel.  Overall, I am fairly comfortable with using these technological resources to complete basic tasks.  During this semester, I hope to learn more about how to adequately integrate technology into my curriculum, particularly learning how to determine when it is appropriate to use these technological resources.  In addition, I am interested in copyright issues and learning what materials or resources are legal or illegal to use in a classroom setting.  Lastly, I am curious to learn how to properly assign coursework that requires the use of these resources.