Blog Post #2

"Introduction to Bioinformatics Teacher Workshop" by NWABR is licensed under CC BY 2.0

     Throughout my academic experience, Microsoft Word has been a part of my academic tool box since K-12 and now, it has followed me into my academic career here at Florida State University. Personally, I feel like I have the most experience utilizing Microsoft Word thus, out of all of the other word processing software, I prefer it most. Even though I am most familiar with Microsoft Word, I know there are still aspects of it that I have yet learned. However, with the aid of the internet, I know I can improve on my skills with Microsoft Word as my academic career progresses. Within the recent year, I have begun to utilize Google Docs more frequently, however, despite this frequent use, I am not confident in my skills to utilize this word processing software on a daily basis. 

    The ISTE Standards for Educators provide not only teachers with the skills to help lead their students, but also aid students in becoming empowered learners. The seven standards that encompass the ISTE Standards for Educators include the following; learner, leader, citizen, collaborator, designer, facilitator, and analyst. Personally, the most meaningful standard to me is learner. Whether you are a teacher or a student, you are constantly learning and finding ways to improve on your skills and abilities. Incorporating the standard of learner is important for K-12 educators as it provides not only students with a way to practice their skills, but also teachers as well. This is due to the fact that teachers will be able to refine their skills through the constant practice of teaching. Thus, they will be able to learn from not only their mistakes, but from their students as well. 

    A digital native can be seen through the perspective of a native speaker like Mark Prensky mentioned. Through this perspective, it can be inferred that a digital native is someone who is very familiar with the language of technology, especially if it was something that has been constant in that individual's life since early childhood. From my perspective, I believe that society places the label of "digital native" on gen-z, which I can agree to a certain extent. This is due to the fact that our generation has been surrounded by some form of technology in one way or another. The most prominent difference I have seen from digital natives and digital immigrants is in their proficiency in the use of technology, specifically within the recent year due to the pandemic and everything turning virtual. From a student perspective, since most of my teachers would be considered "digital immigrants," my learning experience has changed drastically. Although not necessarily all negative, however, it has become something that I have needed to adjust and accommodate for. As for the differences that I anticipate between myself and my future students in terms of how I use technology would be better than how my teachers utilize technology. However, due to the fact that technology is consistently changing, I feel like as a future educator, there will be moments where I may not be as familiar with the technology like the students would be. Despite this difference, it is possible to gain familiarity with the technology that will present through constant practice.