Blog 2

I found the quiz questions very interesting and then the results even more interesting. The results fit me perfectly, which I did not think was going to happen based on the way some of the questions were worded and how I answered. The results came back showing I am a "techie." Then it shows I am also a professor and a trendsetter. I am the "technology" person at my school and love technology.

In my opinion technology is integrated into the classroom because it is so prevalent in today's society. Children are using all different types of technology these days. They are playing video games, completing assignments online, playing games on a computer, watch educational videos, read books digitally, buy things online amongst many other things. Because of these things children's minds are not 'wired' to sit in a classroom for seven hours on any given day. They need interaction, movement, and something fast paced. Way too often children are not focused on a teacher standing in the front of the room teaching, but can stay completely focused on watching a video. We are in a technologically focused world now and need to adjust our habits to that.

Teachers also integrate culture and 'real-world' into lessons because it helps engage the student onto the topic being discussed. Most of the time when a child sees relevance or may know something about they are more prone to pay attention to what is being discussed.

Another reason teachers integrate technology is because there is such a wide variety of media available. It allows children to be creative and choose what works for them. They can present what they make without it costing a lot of money to purchase materials.

Media Literacy

 Media Literacy is very important in today's society. Media literacy is the ability to decipher that author's intent. When viewing or reading technology a student must be able to determine if the author is trying to persuade them into something, inform them or to entertain them. It is also very important that students are aware of safe websites to view and areas to not go to. They need to know websites that have factual information for doing research and then websites to stay away from.Students need to learn to decode the inner message within their form of technology.

For the most part students are very involved with some type of technology. Because of this student's brains are very fast paced.Teachers are noticing students losing focus in a classroom setting, but can be very engaged if technology is involved. 

Media literacy is very important in a classroom setting. Teachers also play a very important role in the sense that they have to teach students the proper way to use technology. They also need to show them resources that are available. Students are very smart when it comes to technology, but they don't necessarily know the educational value of technology. Technology can be used in a classroom and the student may not even realize they are learning.