About two weeks ago I charted how many times I used digital technology throughout my day. I was surprised with how often I do and slightly embrassed. I would reach for it numerous times during the day, whether it be checking the time, sending a text or turning off an alarm. I have noticed in our day and time that many people, including myself are addicted to technology- especially their phones. I can easily see why though. On my phone there are many resources. Such as, Facebook, Instagram, Weather, Email, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. The list goes on and on. It's no wonder so many individuals are on it so often. My husband and I don't have cable so this eliminates TV entirely for me. We both think TV is a waste of money and I am grateful for that because that would be one more thing to add to my list of distractions. The following week I made a goal to not get on Facebook or Instagram for a full week. I have done this before but have never succeed. I am proud to say that I finally did it. It helped me to not grab my phone as much. I realized that I don't really need a technology device connected to my hip. I can get by in life just fine.
I realize that a lot of my students will be similar as I was in high school or how I am now. I am amazed how much high school students are on their electronic devices. A lot of them are sneaking it during classes. I hope as a teacher to be able to integrate digital resources into my classroom in a positive manner. An obvious way that you can integrate digital technology into your class is in the Food and Nutrition Subject. With the new my plate guidelines there is a lot to teach the students. You can do this by pulling up the website for them through the projector and showing them all the new guidelines. There are various apps you can use on iPads, iPhones or iPods. I know of some that help track your calorie intake or help you track your exercise limit. In the FACS class I was able to be in, each student has access to MAC laptops or computers in a computer lab. This made it relatively easy for us students to be able to complete projects or presentations.
In conclusion, I hope to be able to integrate digital technology into my class in a positive manner. I have a teacher here at USU- her name is Lindsey Shirley. She amazes me how informative she is with technology. She accesses YouTube often and show clips that pertain to her lesson plan. I want to apply what I learn in her class into my future classroom. I know by doing this it will catch the students' attention and teach them that FACS can be new and innovative.
I wish you would have put how often you actually used your phone; I think that all of us would be embarrassed. Congratulations on being "sober" for a week! I think that it is very important to keep up with the times and use technology in the classroom as well.
ReplyDeleteI think it is amazing you lasted a week without your phone apps to distract you, it is amazing how much time we really spend on our electronics if we are not paying attention. Using technology in the classroom is a great way to connect with you students and grab their attention.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it sometimes can seem ridiculous how much time we all (myself included) use our digital devices. I have for a long time been opposed to using too much digital technology into classrooms, because I guess I am old fashioned and I feel that students already spend so much of their time with that medium. As I have taken more technology classes (the ITLS) class for instance, and as I have observed more high school classes, I think there are some very good and useful ways that digital technology can be incorporated into the classroom, particularly in different ways than the norms of a powerpoint or youtube video.
ReplyDeleteI too am always reaching for my phone! Time, text, IG and whatever else! Apps make it easy to stay entertained on your phone for a very long time! I want to use it in my classroom as a positive thing also! Teach them about apps that they can use. A MyFitness app that they can use together as a class perhaps. It could just track their activity and they could compare it with others in their class. I am like you and feel that there is a fine line between technology and putting it aside in the classroom. They are using it and have access to it all the time, why can't we use paper or what not to brainstorm. They don't always have to have a device in their hand. It can be very useful however, I just think there needs to be a balance!
ReplyDeleteI love how you have had an FSCE teacher who models what digital literacy might look like in your content area. It probably made you more interested in the content area, right? I think that integrating digital literacy into our teaching shows students that we are not dinosaurs, but in fact our instruction is relevant and up-to-date. Thanks for your posting!
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