Accessibility
is a key concept when it comes to any teaching situation. As an educator it is important to make
anything in your classroom—homework, projects, notes—easily accessible to the
students. In cases like Olivia, her lack
of access to a computer hinders her ability to complete certain tasks. If
something is going to be assigned that requires a computer, it is pertinent to allow
time in the classroom for students to work on the computer just in case there
is no access at home. A teacher can’t
assume that a student can immediately access a computer at home. This lack of computer causes inaccessibility
for the education of students. An educator
must understand the importance of using technology, but must make
accommodations when needed.
1) Text Messaging: Labeling
text messaging as number one is an understatement; I first discovered text
messaging in the 8th grade, and would go over my text messaging
limits by the hundreds. In college, I
have sent and received upwards of 10,000 messages per month. Text messaging has
helped my life because it allows me keep contact with long distance
friendships. I can instantly send a
text, and have a full conversation with anyone no matter where I am. On the other hand, it has hurt me because
while I love talking to people, I have become less inclined to call someone on
the phone because I can just send them a text message. And I do miss late night phone calls, but
those have turned into late night text sessions. I do not believe texting has severely affected
my ability to speak to others, but it has allowed me to avoid interactions with
others by hiding behind a phone.
2) Social Media: I have been using
websites like Myspace, Facebook and Twitter since the 7th grade.
Through Myspace I learned HTML coding, and other computer language, like binary
code, that has helped me in some of my classes.
Through Facebook and Twitter, I have access to so much news, and pop
culture information that I don’t need to leave a single page in order to find
out the most current events or celebrity gossip. While these social networking sites have
helped me connect with more people, increased my knowledge of internet ins and
outs, and opened new ways for me to access information, they come at a
price. When it comes to getting work
done, these sites all get in the way.
Just like texting, it seems that the sites can’t be put down, and are a
tool for procrastination.
3) Blogging: Blogging, just like the
social media sites, have opened new doorways for me when it comes to
communication. Not only has blogging
strengthened what the social media sites taught me, but it also allows me to
keep a journal of sorts. I love to
write, but being so busy, I can’t always force myself to sit down with a
notebook and pen to write what I want.
With blogging, since I always have my computer, I can sit down anywhere
and post a random thought, or share a picture I like with others. This forms an
online journal that allows me to practice my writing. Blogging has made my hobbies more accessible.
After
watching “Learning to Change, Changing to Learn,” I was taken aback by all of
the innovative ways that those students used technology. Maybe it wasn’t really innovative, but it was
innovative for me because I had never thought like that. When the student mention that “writing and
reading have been taken over by technology” I quickly returned to my previous
paragraph in which I mentioned how I keep an online journal. The one student made the connection between
online gaming and in-class group work especially impressed me. Who knew there were so many transferable
skills I was learning by playing Call of Duty online. The one girl mentioned that her phone was
attached to her body—a third arm—and that is precisely how I feel. Another mentioned how his website is an
extension of himself. Through Myspace,
facebook, and twitter and even blogging, my personality and interests shine
through. The one student was right: Technology is “paving the way for us to move
forward as a species and a civilization.” Keeping in mind students like Olivia,
and students from “Learning to Change, Changing to Learn,” it is important to
maintain a healthy balance between using technology so students aren’t left behind.
