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 Educational Technology Research

    Understanding how deep technology is rooted in our student’s lives will help us, as teachers, connect and engage the students.  I was aware that there was a large increase in the use of technology for Generation Z; however, the statics in McCrindle’s infographic from 2014 impacted me the most in this week’s blog.  It indicated that Gen Z uses technology for 10 hours and 19 minutes a day! 



     When I look at this in terms of how many hours students are awake, I realize that majority of their day is spent on a screen.   With this in mind, teachers need to be more aware of how this affects the day-to-day instruction for their current learners.  For example, effective engagement has completely changed from the teacher doing, to the students trying.  I am not surprised by this, as I have been in the classroom and seen the changes evolve, but it is evident that technology has made this change accessible and expected.  Furthermore, as the Covid pandemic impacted the world, I found the information from SpeakUp “Does School Format Impact Students’ Learning Experiences & Expectations” to be especially relevant.    
    A key takeaway from this is that students’ “preferred methods for communication are mobile-based.”  I did experience this while remote teaching. Now, again that we are back in person it continues to be a trend.  This changes the mindset that teachers need to have regarding student communication because before it was frowned upon, if not forbidden, to communicate with students via text apps or other mobile apps, while now it is the norm.  As teachers, we need to understand that students are connected with technology for most of their day, so reaching out to a teacher using technology is not only more convenient for them, but also more comfortable. I also found it interesting how parents are also changing into this generation where they won't answer the teacher or school's calls but will answer the emails and text messages. Overall, the statics continue to support that technology is even more embedded in our current learners, and teachers need to stay relevant in order to adjust to the new trends and their ever-changing environment. This is why knowing and researching about technology and the type of students we teach today is very important!

Also, keeping in mind in the student's well-being as stated in Teaching Digital Citizens in Today's World,  "The nature of kids' experiences on social media also influences well-being. The effects of social media on well-being vary for different teens." As with everything in the world, technology can have its pros and cons. 
 

Comments

  1. Rhiannon BroschatSeptember 30, 2021 at 4:05 PM

    Hi!

    I feel a little bit of both when it comes to how teachers should perceive their classrooms when implementing tech. I agree that teachers should be in the know about how to use tech and give flexible options to their students that include tech. Tech is so vital for students with IEPs or 504s although I think having the option of packets or book work should be available in certain instances as well. I sometimes miss what life was like before everyone, including 2 year olds, knew how to use smartphones and iPads. Tech is like a double edged sword-has great qualities but some downfalls as well.

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  2. Beatrix FOctober 1, 2021 at 5:55 PM

    Hi Diana!

    Thank you for bringing up the statistic on Generation Z that they spend an average of 10 hours a day on screen! It makes me curious how much of it is broken down to recreational, social media, and educational. But 10 hours is crazy! That's almost half a day! It is very true that teachers have to consider how much technology they incorporate, and almost reintroduce interacting the "old school" style of teaching with peer interaction and pencil to paper. Although technology has become such a great way for accommodations and modifications for students who need it.

    I relate to students nowadays with mobile communication being the preferred method. I even prefer it with my own family. I feel that it is also easier to gather your thoughts and send additional messages in case other questions or concerns arise.

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  3. Amy MekeelOctober 2, 2021 at 7:08 AM

    Hi Diana,

    You make a good point about teachers needing to understand that students are connected to technology most of their day. It is interesting to witness the shift in communicating with students firsthand throughout the years. When I first started teaching, I remember it was a no-no to communicate with students via email or text. Now it is the norm and the number one form of communication. Sometimes when I have to email a student outside of school time, they will respond to me right away. It's because they are joined at the hip with technology. I find it funny sometimes when a student will email me at midnight with a homework question. I will respond to their message in the morning before school starts. They will often ask me why I didn't respond right away, not realizing I am not on the same teenage schedule that most of them are on.

    ReplyDelete
  4. NMZumpanoOctober 5, 2021 at 5:58 AM

    Great point about how things that used to be 'frowned upon' became necessary during the pandemic- and everyone did just fine with those strategies!

    ReplyDelete

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About Me

 Hi! My name is Diana Madrigal       I am currently a Math teacher at Morton West High School located in Berwyn, Illinois. This is currently my 3rd year teaching. Teaching last year was a challenge, specially trying to create all the lessons and activities online. It was hard to keep the class in engage when they wouldn't want to turn on their cameras on. Most of the time I felt I was talking to myself. For this reason, I got really interesting in learning how to become better by using technology at my advantage. I wished I knew how to create and use different websites to make class more engaging. So I am definitely excited to learn from this class, which I am already learning. I have never used this website before! (excited) As a math teacher, I never really write much. Therefore, I do not know how the blogging works but I know I have couple of friends who use it and they make it look very interesting. I am hoping I can learn new thing to use in my classroom, s...
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