After watching the video "Olivia's Story", I realized that in the future when I become a teacher I might have students just like Olivia. In the video Olivia explained how she does not always have access to a computer, yet she has really great computer skills. Having access to a computer is so important to her that she goes out of her way to use one, such as going to an apple store. She is also very creative and loves to help people make websites online. I also noticed that some teachers in the video assume that students like Olivia do not know how to use a computer because of the lack of access to one, but surprisingly they know how to use a computer exceptionally well.
As a future teacher, it is important to understand the relationship that students have with technology.Olivia has a strong bond with technology. Her life revolves around using a computer or her cell phone because she likes to keep in contact with her friends and be able to express her creativity. I have come to realize that there are going to be many students in my classroom who have similar interests to Olivia. These students are going to be interested in learning new things having to do with computers, cell phones, ipods etc. Integrating technology in a classroom can be a great way to help my students become involved and excited about learning.
Just like Olivia, the young people in the video "Learning to Change, Changing to learn" also use many forms of technology in their every day lives. It was very interesting to learn about how these people use computers to create music, twitter to keep updated with current events, and also websites to learn a new language. They explained how much of a role technology played in their lives such as always having a cell phone in their hand and texting more than talking. It is very visible in the video that there are many ways to learn new things and express creativity through using various forms of technology. Students can use the skills they learn from technology to do better in school such as Olivia did. She was able to rank in the top three of her school.
The students in the videos reminded me of myself because technology also plays an important role in my life.
The three most influential communications technologies in my life are my iPhone, my computer, and social networks. Throughout my day I am constantly using one of these things. I believe that this will benefit me as a future teacher because I have many skills that I will be able to use in my classroom and also to teach to my students. These technologies have benefited the ways in which I learn new information because I am not only always updated on current events, but also I am able to use my iPhone or computer to do research or look up something that I am unfamiliar with.
The students in both videos used their forms of technologies for more creative things such as creating music and websites. I, on the other hand, use technology mainly for learning purposes such as doing research. However, like many of the students, I do also use my phone to stay in contact with my friends. My phone is always glued to me just like one of the students mentioned.
As much as technology helps me learn and keep me updated, there is a downside to it in my opinion. I believe that I personally rely on my phone and computer for everything. I feel like I need to always have access to them. There needs to be a balance when it comes to technology. The main thing to focus on is to make sure it is being used for positive reasons.
