Journal Entry #2

Word Processing Software

As a student I have used Microsoft Word as early as third grade when I used to work on assignments for my wordprocessing class. In my class I was very well advanced at that young age and quickly learn so much more about the Microsoft suite of applications. As a student I have additionally utilize Apple's Pages application to do word processing, well this application offers a great and easy to use user interface it has poor interoperability for other word processing platforms in applications. Google Docs is also a great application that I began using in middle school and all throughout my time here as a college student at Florida State. This application is great because it allows live real time collaboration for groups to work on projects and assignments with ease. However without a stable and reliable Internet connection these collaborative options are unavailable. Ultimately my favorite word processing application is Microsoft Word because it allows industry standard word processing and with the addition of templates and various other themes there is a host of things that can be done throughout the application other than simply typing words on a page.

ISTE Standards for Educators

After reviewing the ISTE Standards for Educators the standard that is most meaningful to me is standard 2.3 citizen. In the world that we live in with more and more technological advancements that allow individuals to be connected across the globe via the VirtualNet I think it's important that at a very young age positive reinforcements are continually pushed to ensure that students are good citizens in the virtual world. Far too commonly people think that they can do whatever say whatever and be whoever on the Internet without that linking back to them however behind each keystroke and behind every screen there is a real individual who not only has feelings but also has some sort of ownership to the continent that they curate on the web. It is important that as educators in the very early stages of adoption for students in K-12 they are not only taught how to fully leverage all that technology has to offer but ultimately how to be respectful, socially responsible, and ultimately safe on the internet.

“Digital Native”

In my personal opinion I believe the is very fitting up today's generation. Not only is it a proper label but I think it fully encapsulates the type of individuals that we are. To be a digital native essentially means to grow up from birth with the every day implementation of technology in our lives. From the toys we use as toddlers to growing up utilizing various different learning enrichment tools and  technologies in the classroom to then deciding to make a career out of the tech industry. For the digital native this is easy. I have definitely seen the differences between how high as a digital native utilize technology in comparison to a digital immigrant. For example, In my previous K - 12 learning environments it was very common to see my teachers utilize hardcopy paper on the regular when assigning assignments, in these situations I would then often like to digitize these assignments complete my given tasks and submit my coursework digitally for the teacher to grade. Needless to say, I was a challenging student. However I often like to do this to sort of nudge and force my teachers to adopt new technologies to make the classroom more engaging and prepared for the advancing world we were going into. While it was hard at times for my teachers to even simply open my emails with my assignments I use these moments to flip the classroom and assist my teachers in navigating these digital environments. Ultimately as time progressed technology became much more standard in the classroom and the learning experience significantly improved. Not only was it fun to do digital assignments but as time progressed my classmates and myself were much more engaged with course material being taught as the pedagogy was slowly but surely shifting. I some of the differences I anticipate between myself and future students are the future students will utilize various different platforms of engagement throughout the learning experience. I think it is quite possible that we will see advancements made on various social media platforms that will allow collaborative and learning environments that positively foster growth to be implemented in various styles of teaching. I think it is also quite possible that we will see more implementation of virtual environments on platforms such a second life that will allow students to interact with other students through a virtual medium. The advancements being made and learning technology I've been met with rapid success and I'm excited to see what's next. 

Badges

I think in learning environments badges are a great way to engage students and additionally offer them a way to publicly display material that they have mastered/completed. Throughout my learning experience I have participated in various different programs that have allowed me to earn badges that I can publicly displayed. One of the most recent badges that I have received as for the completion of a career center professional development course here at (Fsu). While I do not always share the badges that I have earned from time to time I like to display them if I know they will be relevant to the experience that I may be participating in with others. Doing so allows me to showcase to others that I have mastered the material that the badges for and can demonstrate my ability to assist in that area. Ultimately I truly like badges and I am looking forward to earning some more throughout my lifelong learning experience.