TF-TL_Standard_01

“Terms such as competency, proficiency, literacy, and fluency are often used to describe what educators must know and be able to do to implement technology successfully” (Williamson & Redish, 2009, p. 17). Understanding the operations and concepts of different technologies is something I find very useful and necessary to be effective in putting the right technologies in the classrooms. Which is why this chapter was so important for me learn from and understand. Being able to identity different devices for use like computers, mobile phones, MP3 players, and other devices along with understanding the basic components of the computer is very important in being able to integrate technology in the classroom. Knowing this information as a teacher will help me better prepare my co-workers, through trainings, to use the technology. I will also be better prepared to show my students how to use the technology effectively. “Finding better methods to achieve and maintain technology competency is an ongoing pursuit for technology facilitators and leaders” (Williamson & Redish, 2009, p. 21). In the past I would have thought I knew enough about technology to get by, but after going through these classes and reading about this Standard I know that is not true. I need to keep up with the times because they are changing. “... the single biggest problem facing education today is that our Digital Immigrant instructors, who speak an outdated language (that of the pre-digital age), are struggling to teach a population that speaks an entirely new language” (Prensky, 2001, p. 3). Knowing our students may know more about technology is something teachers have to be willing to admit and then take advantage of their knowledge. Since, being in this program I have asked my students more questions about technology and have found they have short cuts and different ways of doing the same task, but making it easier. They have just as much an understanding of the operations and concepts of the technologies as I do on some of the technologies. Knowing this has impacted my field-based activities being open to have others, including students, help me to understand the concepts of technology was difficult at first, but through it all I learned to listen and progress through the process.
 * TF/TL Standard I: Technology Operations and Concepts **

From Consortium for Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning (1995), I found this quote “Educational experiences are more authentic and of greater value when the curricula reflect real life, which is multifaceted” (para. 2). As a learner and as a teacher we need to keep this in mind because for true learning to take place it should reflect real life. With the knowledge I learned in this program and through the field-based activities I was able to grow and learn more about this Standard and how it works. By using real life situations it made the experience real and I could learn through those experiences. Through interactions and discussions with colleagues, I was able to see the problems they were having when integrating and understanding the technology in their classrooms. This allowed me to help them find solutions to these problems, so they could use the technology in their classrooms effectively. While working with colleagues I was able to learn more about different technologies and how they could be effectively used inside the classroom.

As a lifelong learner it will be important for me to make sure I stay up to date on new technologies and how they could help teachers inside the classroom. I make it a point to look for new technologies and how to connect them to my classroom through different professional developments and through word of mouth from other educators. Nothing beats getting the technology in your hands and actually using it in the classroom to see the benefits that can be had from using technology. I have to wonder what will come next with the operation and concepts of technology, how will it change in the future and will our students be able to out perform their teachers when it comes to using technology. As I continue to grow as a technology leader these questions and more will become clearer and Standard I: Technology Operations and Concepts will need to be understood.

** Reference ** Consortium for Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning. (1995) //Position Statement on// // Interdisciplinary Learning, Pre-K to Grade 4 // [Online]. Available: []

Prensky, M. (2001). //Digital natives, digital immigrants: Part 1.// On the Horizon, 9(5), 1-6.

Williamson, J., & Redish, T. (2009). ISTE's technology facilitation and leadership standards: what every K-12 leader should know and be able to do. Eugene, Or: International Society for Technology in Education.

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