Digital Badge #B Chapter 2

Thursday, September 4, 2014

In Chapter 2 there’s a section called A Career That Matters that I can truly relate to. It states in this chapter how teaching is a career that matters to everyone which I couldn’t agree more. I believe that this career is one that shapes a person’s entire life because at a young age is when children form their values and morals that they often carry on for the rest of their lives. So many people help shape every one of us into becoming who we are today and when we are young we absorb that information from our surroundings. Children often look up to the adults that they love so being a teacher is a very rewarding career and definitely one that matters. Personally I can remember the best teachers I had and I know that my way of thinking has been profoundly influenced by them. This section is very important because it talks about what is expected from teachers and just how important our careers as educators will be. As a teacher we have a responsibility to assure success for every one of our students. We have to overcome challenges to be able to help our students be successful and once we reach this goal we feel a sense of accomplishment. These are all reasons why I chose this career. I want to teach my students everything that truly matters. I think we complain too much about new generations or generations to come but teachers have a real power to ensure the next generations will be successful and they can really influence their students. I know this career is right for me because it makes me happy knowing that I can create a positive change in someone’s life through teaching.

In chapter 2 it is also stated that teachers often teach as they were taught. I think this is a very true statement and also very troublesome. Teachers tend to stick to what they know and many are afraid of change (which is why some oppose using technology) but without change they fail to engage their students because they aren’t interested in the past. There’s no way to engage a student that lives in a digital age by using a chalk board or even a smart board. Students don’t care to learn by sitting in their desks taking notes all day. That may have worked in the past but the world is changing and therefore teachers must embrace these changes in their classrooms. I know I personally wouldn’t be able to learn the way my parents did. There’s no way I would be able to pay attention if I had to listen to lectures all day and didn't get to do anything hands on. In my opinion there’s no point in being a teacher if we fail at getting our students attention. Education routines kill learning. These routines of taking notes, completing worksheets, and taking tests are not teaching our students anything. This is a huge reason why teaching through technology is so important. I find it shocking that some teachers refuse to change their teaching styles because this is the only way they can truly make a difference.

While reading critics of technology in schools I kept an open mind and I can relate to both sides. I think technology in school will enhance teaching because it will be easier to captive the student’s attention better through technology. I also understand that too much technology use may lead to students being lazier and less creative. With everything at their fingertips they won’t have to work so hard to get their work done. For these reasons I want to teach using technology as a tool to help them learn but I also want to get them to think for themselves. I plan on teaching using technology but not depending on it. Sometimes I will let my students use their technology for research but I want to encourage them to create their own opinions and learn through their own experiences as well.

In conclusion this chapter had so much helpful information. I still strongly believe that using technology in schools can be positive and it can help tremendously improve learning. 

Resources:

Rose, D. J. (2011, 03 12). YouTube. Retrieved 09 02, 2014, from Technology in the Classroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oEgxwLhvV8