Blog Post #2

     Throughout middle school and most of high school (approximately 6th through 11th grade), I primarily used MS Word to complete my school assignments. I mostly typed up essays and completed other writing assignments on MS Word, but I also have experience making brochures and flyers, creating and editing resumes, editing peer assignments, and many other personal projects I have taken on. Although I have much more experience with MS Word, over the past couple of years, I have used and become much more familiar with Google Docs. In my opinion, Google Docs is much easier to use on different devices, simpler to navigate, and much more user-friendly when working on group assignments because of the ability to collaborate with group members on the same document. 

    The ISTE Standard for Educators that is most meaningful to me is for an educator to be a learner and continue to improve their practice while staying consistent with their duties as an instructor. This standard is especially important to me because openness to new experiences and improvement is a critical skill to have when being an educator, and allows for comfort and relatability in the classroom environment. There is always more to learn in every profession, but as an educator, it is important to be open to learn about new technology and ideologies and stay informed about potential new strategies to maximize student success. I think more should be done by the institutions to keep their educators informed on current issues, and mandate regular seminars for educators to openly inform their associates as well. 

    I do agree with the label "digital native" for today's youth because we don't know a world without the evolution of technology. In addition, we are much more fluent than a "digital immigrant" such as our teachers and parents when using modern-day technology. Since technology was introduced to the younger generations at such a young age, it's much easier for us to learn and navigate newer technological tools such as artificial intelligence and smartphones. On the other hand, most educators may be part of an older generation not introduced to technology until later in life, making them digital immigrants. This could limit the support of instructors to help their students navigate software in the classroom, and even prevent them from having the knowledge to utilize all technological resources at their disposal. In turn, this means more of a disconnect between us students and educators, and could mean a gap in learning within the classroom. By using the skills and knowledge I have fostered from growing up in a technologically rich society, I hope to stay educated on new advancements and be open to learning from my future students, as they will be the "digital natives."