Being That 21st Century Teacher

In a world full of social media I believe that teacher expectations have exceeded. Everyone wants the latest and greatest and to have that "Pinterest perfect" classroom. We all strive to be the best that we can be and I think that our knowledge on the use of technology can make up stand apart from others. We are a new age of teachers coming out of college now we have been educated on using a student centered model of teaching, our students are going to introduce us to the latest and greatest Apps and websites being a beneficial teacher and a 21st century teacher Intels that we take these new platforms of technology and find ways that they can benefit our classroom. 
Being a 21st century teacher and a 21st century student brings on the idea of  continues learning in a ever changing world. Staying up to date on topics and trends will benefit you in your classroom so I suggest to everyone that they keep themselves educated and keep an open mind to the world around them. 

  

Questions for Pre-K Kidos!

Today I got the chance to sit down with two 5-year old’s, a boy and girl, both currently in pre-k. We talked about iPad and computers in the preschool classroom and how they like them, our conversation went as follows: Do you use computers in your preschool class? Brently: Yes Sara: Our teacher does but we are not allowed to touch only watch on the TV. Brently and Sara both attend the same school and are in the same class, so I see they both see "using" technology in different ways. I also put together that their teacher has her computer streamed on her TV to watch movies and videos. When do kids start to use computers in class? Brently: Middle School Sara: Kindergarten, my friends in Kindergarten Brently was taking back by this and got excited telling me he couldn't wait to go to "big school" and get his own computer. I asked them both if they had either a computer or tablet at home? They both answered yes and told me they had iPads. I asked them what kind of games they liked to play on their iPads, Sara responded with a make-up dress up game and Brently told me he does not like to play games he likes to watch RZR videos on YouTube. I then asked them how much they got their iPads when they were at home? Sara got hers every night while her parents watched TV. Brently got his on the nights that he finished his homework and got a "star" for the day at their pre-school. I then asked them what they thought the big kids done with their computers at the "big schools" ? Sara responded fast saying that the type papers, so they do not have to write things anymore, Brently responded to her, no they look up stuff they have to learn. Both of them have an idea of what students do but not exactly. After talking to Sara and Brently my mind was rolling with ideas of how to introduce technology in a good way to younger students because they both seemed to not like the idea of computers when they got into school because they see it as all work. I think y bringing in lessons that make using the technology fun students will feel more comfortable with it and know how to use it in a way that not only benefits them but is also fun.