EME2040: Technology in the Classroom, and the Rise of the Digital Natives.

With the exponential growth that is happening in the technological world it is evident that it is making its way into more of our classrooms. With that there is a need for a baseline of skill that educators should have with these new technologies so that they can effectively use them in a classroom setting. The ISTE, (International Society for Technology in Education) has provided such a list for educators, students, and leaders. In their seven point list of standards the two that stuck out to me where Citizen and Analyst. Being a citizen according to the ISTE means being a role model and mentor to your students. As a kid/teen I think most people are rebelling because they're unsure of who they are, and they put up a wall to anyone in positions of authority to try and figure it out for themselves; which is why I believe this is going to be the hardest of the standards to meet. Being an Analyst is to use the tools and what you know about the class to help teach them better. This is more towards my strong suite because I am always thinking of different presentation strategies and organizational methods. I am a strong believer that everyone learns in a different way and to teach an entire class in one way is unfair and cruel to the children in your class.

With the rise in technology the new first and second world generations are growing up surrounded by electrical cords and LED screens and thus have become very proficient with them. Because of this many have started calling Gen Z the "Digital Natives." I find this accurate, but what must be remembered is that not everyone on the globe has access to these technologies. It does NOT APPLY TO ALL OF TODAY'S YOUTH! Gen Y, or the "Digital Immigrants." who were introduced to these technologies later in life are also fluent with these techs but at a slower pace. It is much like using a language, when you are born into a world that uses it, it will come much easier than if you came from somewhere else. Soon there will be a new technological breakthrough and the "Digital Natives" will be hopping onto the boat of whatever the new technology is. and the cycle will continue.