Student Engagement

     After looking through the final project ideas and examples, I think I have a good starting point for where I want to go with my project. Some of my first thoughts are centered around a problem I see in my own classroom, which is that students are not always fully engaged during lessons. While they complete their work, I think there are opportunities to make learning more meaningful and interactive. One belief that has become even stronger for me throughout this course is that students learn best when they are problem solving, collaborating with one another, and creating something of their own rather than simply completing worksheets. I haven't decided exactly what my final project will look like yet, but I want it to reflect those beliefs while incorporating technology in a purposeful way.

    As I continue planning, I want to make sure the project reflects what I've learned throughout this course about technology being more than just a replacement for traditional teaching. I want it to encourage students to think critically, work together, and take an active role in their learning. I'm excited to explore some new digital tools and find one that fits both my teaching style and the needs of my students.

    The projects shared in the slide deck definitely gave me some inspiration. I thought it was really interesting to see the different ways people presented their ideas using technology. Projects that incorporated tools like Screencastify and podcasts especially caught my attention because they felt creative, engaging, and personal. I liked that each project reflected the creator's own teaching style while exploring new forms of digital media. Seeing those examples made me even more excited to start working on my own project and experiment with new tools that I haven't used before.

Barbie/Fairy Tales

     Barbie was a big part of my childhood. I spent hours playing with the dolls, making up stories, and imagining all the different careers and adventures Barbie could have. As I got older, I started hearing more about the criticism surrounding Barbie and the unrealistic beauty standards she represented. Even with those conversations, I still have a soft spot for Barbie, especially after watching the Barbie movie. I honestly loved how the movie explored feminism and showed what can happen when an oppressed group is suddenly given freedom. I thought it did a great job of showing that the goal isn't for one group to have power over another, but for everyone to be treated equally.

    Reading Christensen's "Unlearning the Myths that Bind Us" made me think more deeply about the messages we pick up from children's toys, movies, and books. I never really thought about how much those things shape the way kids see gender roles and relationships, but it makes a lot of sense. We don't always notice those messages because they're introduced so early in life.

    At the same time, I think children's culture can change for the better. The Barbie movie is a perfect example of taking something familiar and using it to start important conversations instead of reinforcing old stereotypes. Christensen's article definitely challenged me to look beyond the surface of the media we grew up with, and it reminded me that it's worth asking what messages we're passing along to the next generation.

My boyfriend and I watching the Barbie movie at the drive-in for my birthday in 2023 

(I promise he loved the movie when it was over 😂!)

Digital Native Debate

    Before reading this article, I had heard the term "digital native" before, but I never really stopped to think about whether it still applies to students today. After reading both Prensky's original idea and Spiegel's response, I definitely agree more with Spiegel's point of view.

    I can understand why Prensky came up with the idea of digital natives. Technology was becoming a much bigger part of everyday life, and students were growing up with computers, video games, and the internet in ways that previous generations hadn't. It made sense to think that schools needed to change with the times and start using more technology in the classroom. I think his ideas helped push education in that direction, which was important.

    That said, I think Spiegel makes a stronger argument today. Just because students grow up with phones, tablets, and social media doesn't mean they automatically know how to use technology for school or future jobs. I've seen this myself. Many students can navigate TikTok or YouTube without any problem, but they still struggle with things like organizing files, typing efficiently, or even using basic programs like Google Docs or Microsoft Word. Those are skills that still need to be taught.

    I also liked Spiegel's point that not every student uses technology the same way. Some love creating videos, others spend their time gaming, and some mainly use technology to chat with friends. It doesn't make sense to group everyone into one category and assume they all have the same skills. As teachers, we have to meet students where they are and help them build the skills they don't already have.

    Personally, I don't think the term "digital native" really fits anymore. It makes it sound like students naturally know everything about technology, and that's just not true. Technology is always changing, and everyone—students and teachers alike—is constantly learning new things. I think it's much more important to teach students how to use technology in meaningful ways instead of assuming they already know how.

    Overall, I really agreed with the ideas in this article. It reminded me that technology should be used to support learning, but it shouldn't replace teaching important skills. Students still need guidance, practice, and opportunities to learn both with technology and without it.

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