Using Technology In Education
"The principle goal of education is to create men and women who are capable of doing new things, not simply repeating what other generations have done."
-Jean Piaget
The students of today are learning in a digital age which requires teachers to “customize and personalize learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources.” (NETS for Teachers, 2008). This standard is exactly what my Philosophy of Educational Technology is. I believe that technology is much more than hardware. I believe that technology consists of the designs and the environments that engage learners. In my view, as new and emerging technology is making vast amount of information available to teachers and students, a need for creating open learning environments in which learners can evaluate their own needs, make decisions, and modify, test and revise their knowledge is becoming more critical. I think new and emerging technologies have given educators the opportunity to create an environment that can engage learners in active, constructivist, intentional, authentic, and cooperative learning. It is very important for educators to keep learning and continue to modify their approach to find the best ways to relate to their students and in this world that is constantly being influenced by technology, I believe it is crucial to use technology to improve educational strategies. As a future educator, I plan to get the best out of technology that is readily available and incorporate them in my classroom. I think it is strange that with all the technology we have today, most of the classrooms are still the same as 100 years ago. I think that it is important for students to be taught using webquests, emails, social medias, wikis, podcast, creative computer programs, PowerPoint, movies, discussion boards and the list goes on. There are so many opportunities available at the fingertips for us to just put them to use. These opportunities create and engaging classroom and also gives way to authentic learning. As a future educator, I know I will definitely utilize them in every way possible in order to provide the most successful learning environment for my students. Given a complete, well rounded 21st century education, who knows what this generation may invent or solve.