Blog Journal #2

 EME 2040 Blog #2

I come today to share my experiences using Microsoft word throughout my academic career. For starters, I did not use much of word through elementary school up until high school I would say. As a freshman, we were all given Microsoft Surfaces and all of the Microsoft apps were pre-installed. This is where I started to get a better feel of the software but I never really got into depth about all of its possible uses. I simply would write and submit papers using only basic skills such as indenting, paragraph and line spacing, and using different fonts and sizes. While this is nice to know, I have never needed to go any further with developing a skill for Word. Even at FSU, I have not used word much. I have a Mac computer and I typically use google docs for assignments. There is no particular reason for this other than the fact that I am more comfortable with it now. 

The ISTE standards are to help teachers develop new ways of teaching as our technology advances. The ISTE standard that I believe is most meaningful to me is the Designer standard. This standard uses new forms of technology that personalize the learning experience for each individual student. This standard is great for teachers working in K-12th grade as each student adapts and learns in their own unique way. New digital tools are always being made available and they all have their own purpose. As a teacher, it is important to find the right tools for each individual student and this ISTE standard is a good start. 

Lastly, I very much agree with the label of "digital native" for todays youth. I was in Kindergarten in the year 2008. Technology was very prevalent but schooling was still done old school. When I would go home, I would play video games and watch television. This back and forth of old school and new school caused me to have a shortened attention span and really struggle to pay attention, and then learn anything in school. Now-a-days, technology seems to be the only thing kids participate in. Adapting the skills and knowledge that these kids have in technology to the classroom can allow them to be interested and focus in on school. We can adapt the school to the children better than we can adapt the children to school as it was when I was growing up.