I’m Reevaluating the Curve

As I reflect back to my first entry on my Blog about where I stand in regard to Roger’s Diffusions of Innovation Curve, I feel that I continue to fall on the scale of the Early Majority.  I continue to adopt new ideas before the average person depending on research and feedback from others in making my decision.

 I feel that it is important to embrace the ever-moving technological world especially as an educator. We continuously have professional development and trainings to enhance our technology skills and implement various learning platforms to analyze student progress which entail the use of Common Core Standards. It allows us to guide students in the use of technology and how to manipulate learning programs to their understandings.

There are many topics that entail and are incorporated within this course.  Below I will share information on what I have learned on this course thus far.

I worry about how we lag in the use of technology on the Navajo reservation. There is limited access to internet connectivity and having access to laptops/desktops to work on. We live in a very remote area unlike what accessibility the cities are used to having. We seem to be taking several steps back in what innovative technology has to offer. The speed of the internet is detrimental compared to the average 5g which cities have. We are limited to 3g, if we’re lucky we can get 4g.

Students are only taught the basics of computer use. There is much time needed to teach students computer usage skills. Teachers need to be able to teach all required subjects accordingly with implemented standards.

During the pandemic, we were forced to make changes in how we taught virtually and to assist families in how to use laptops distributed to all students enrolled. We gave out hotspots for connectivity for those that had no internet, small generators and chargers for homes without electricity so that students may connect to ZOOM daily for class.

Schoology was a learning platform for students to complete uploaded assignments and videos. Teachers used ZOOM conferencing and school phones to communicate with families. Our school provided resources to ensure that all students were learning and engaging virtually. We have become dependent on technology to meet the needs of all students. We were all communicating under the roofs of our home and doing what we could to be safe due to the COVID-19. What a scare! We relied on technology and continue to rely on the changes we continue to deal with.

Just as Udell and Woodill (2019) state, “learning professionals need to understand the workings and implications of the new technologies, recognizing that workplace learning is critically different than classroom-based learning and is just as important as any other function of a business”.

The technological world is ever-changing and needs to be continuously monitored for changes so that teachers are able to teach effectively. They need to meet the needs of students individually and be more interactive and engaging.

We need to be cognizant to how we examine and select appropriate technologies to serve the purpose of instruction in the classroom.

As educators, we need to take time to learn about learning platforms which are engaging and exciting to meet the needs of students in content areas such as math and English. Students interact and look forward to competing with one another when we create challenging games such as QUIZZIZ. They are able to get quick feedback on what answers were correct or what they missed. When given assessments on computers students have a more successful rate in higher scores than taking the test with paper and pencil.

Data is used to implement and give important evidence and observable behaviors in shaping outcomes. This allows for teachers to share strengths and weaknesses in skills needing to be retaught in the classroom to close the gaps.

Demographics play a crucial role in strengths and weaknesses of a community. Data can be created of what works and what doesn’t work in the community. Data-rich institutions or schools have better advantages than those that are data-poor. I have listed some complications of what we deal with in our school on the Navajo reservation.

In Unit 2, I learned that Virtual Reality gives students the chance to have immersive experiences. That they would not have with technology in play. Students are able to visualize and have hands-on experiences on field trips. This allows for schools or institutions to not worry about costs of a field trip. The cost of technology would benefit the schools or institutions in the long run for all students to experience. The costs continue to drop compared to when they first came out.

In the previous units and assignments, I have learned that there is so much that entail Learning Design and Technologies in Education. I had a persona that I knew a lot about technology but boy am I wrong. I still have much to learn. I am intrigued by the amount of information that Professor Salik has to share. I continue to learn new information and knowledge which comes easy to him. I have looked forward to learning new information every week. Dr. Salik gave step by step instructions which allowed me to implement when completing assignments easily, with the exception of the assignment for Generative AI as a Design Partner. Regardless, he helped me to access what I created with assistance.

We are in a realm of continuous changes. Without the ability to change, adapt, learn, and unlearn, they said, well stay in constant state of “future shock.”

As educators, it is crucial that we continue to learn new information about technologies for the sake of our future leaders. It will benefit students throughout their educational endeavors and in their future profession of choice. Let’s continue to grasp the “new” for all to learn.