Week+1

__**Week 1- Learning Log:**__

**1. Readings, Reflections, and Questions.** -Importance of technology/technology in the classroom- Technology, for some reason, has always been a bit frightening for me. Not because I am not surrounded by it at every moment of my awake life (I have my cell phone on me or in close proximity to me at all times) but that at any moment those pieces of technology could cease to work or malfunction at any moment, leaving me helpless to do anything. Essentially, it's the unpredictability of technology that scares me. However, I do realize that it is an important part of our culture and crucial for teaching effectively in this day and age. So, I will give technology a shot or continue using it and make an effort to learn more about the technologies that are out there and find some way to incorporate them into my classroom.

**Reading:** "Understanding the Digital Generation I" by Ian Jukes -deals with "the effects of digital bombardment from constant exposure to electronic media had on kids in the new digital landscape and considers the profound implications this holds for the future of education." -It was interesting to hear the term TTWWADI (That's the way we've always done it) being used because I have noticed and even have somewhat promoted this kind of thinking, and its interesting to hear that we have a natural tendency to do things the way they have always been done. I think for myself it is a comfort thing and change can be difficult. -Jukes states that it is very important to realize that we are faced with NEW students which are schools were not designed for and which us as teachers are not trained to teach. This is essentially the basis of this course, to learn ways of reaching those students and designing our classrooms and lessons to engage those NEW students. -I laughed when I realized half way through this reading that I am considered a "digital native" because I am under the age of 25. I guess to some extent I am more familiar with technology and am probably incapable of going a whole day without using technology without feeling anxious or out of touch with society, but I dont think I could be labelled as a "digital native" because there is a lot that I cannot do with technology. -NEW students brains are enhancing visual memory, processing and learning skills because of digital bombardment-this is something we can no longer ingnore because it is crucial for us to engage our students with topics or things that excite them and are relevant to them.

**2. Software and How to Use It.** -learned how to build a wiki-I had previous knowledge of using a wiki in one of my other Education courses, but I had never designed one for my own purposes.

**3.Information and What you have learned.** -I learned how to set up a wikispace and learned some wikibasics. -It was re-emphasized to me that the "stand and deliver" form of teaching is ineffective because our students do not neurologically learn that way. -Students need to be engaged with photos or visual representations of ideas.