Technology: Positive vs. Negative

Hey, everyone! I can hardly believe this is our last class for 209. I'm pretty sad that it's ending because I've learned so much in the last 6 weeks.  I was terrified to begin this tech course. I've never been tech savvy, nor have I really ever been interested in becoming tech savvy. I was under the impression that this was going to be one of those courses where I just had to grit my teeth and get the work done, and could forget everything once I walked out of the classroom for the last time. I WAS WRONG. Not only am I sad that it's ending, but I will take the ideas I was introduced to in this class with me for the rest of this program, and build on them in my future teaching career.     At the beginning of this course, I wasn't even aware of Google Drive. How crazy is that? Over the last 6 weeks, I have been introduced to so many of the incredible things Google can do. For example, Google docs, sheets, putting things in my drive and organizing them, Google Cl...

Hello, all! Today I wanted to discuss the ever present pros versus cons of children utilizing social media. Before I begin, I will indulge the information that I have a son who is 12, his age falling into the social media category people argue the most about, so I do have some personal feelings and rules, aside from objective reasoning about the pros and cons.      Let's talk about pros first. There are a couple of really cool connections with middle and high school aged kids using social media. First, it allows them to connect with peers from outside their immediate realm of limited social exposure. This can be really important for kids who feel left out, alone, or different from the social circles in their schools or neighborhoods. The ability to connect with peers that share their interests is crucial for their ability to relate, connect, and social-emotional growth during this period of their lives. Secondly, the opportunity for educational resources through social m...