Blog journal #2

     In my time in the K-12 public education system, using Microsoft Word was not common until I got to middle school. Around grade 6-7, we started to get assignments that were papers to be completed digitally and printed. I have more experience using Google Drive and Docs, because thats what we used in the 8th grade as well as throughout the majority of high school. The only time we used Word was if we didn't have access to Google Drive. I prefer to use Google Drive because it saves everything i've done over the cloud, and most of my work is already on there so its easier to access. MS Word works well too, and I've used it more since i've gotten to FSU because we have access to it through our student account. I still use Drive and Docs though, I guess its just personal preference and convenience.

    The face of standards that resonates with me most is Designer. I think it's so important for students to be taught how to be independent learners, but also have each of their needs personalized. Not every student learns the same way, and fitting them into a one size fits all standard benchmark approach like many public schools do does more harm than good. We are all human, but that is what makes us unique as individuals. Authenticity is so important when it comes to learning experiences, because authentic and genuine interest is how to get students the most interested in learning. Passion drives learning, and teaching students things that aren't that meaningful to their experiences and passions can be distracting and irrelevant to their unique sense of self, which also isn't embraced enough in the public education experience. Conformity is a big theme here. Innovation is big for Designers, and providing an established principle that allows for innovation is key to students learning and growth.

    I think digital native is an interesting way to label this current generation of youth growing up with access to technology all around us. Digital natives are wired to be accustomed to instant gratification, endless dopamine and access to anything we want with a couple of clicks and keyboard types. While this instant access can be beneficial and make exchanges quicker, I also think it could have an effect on our attention spans, learning styles, social communication, and there could be countless other unexplored impacts that we wont know of until years from now, when the effects are able to be studied. I definitely notice differences between the two, teachers are usually slower with technology and embracing it fully. From my personal experiences, i've had teachers refuse to do digital learning and canvas submissions because the believed pen and paper was the best way to learn, and while I dont disagree i think it can be a big waste of paper sometimes. Teachers who have been slower to embrace it and allow students to teach them technology can slow the learning in class by spending so much time trying to figure it out, when students in the classroom likely have a solution that is much quicker and more streamlined, all it takes is a bit of reaching out and willing to be taught. Everyone can learn something from anyone, regardless of the 'role' they assume in society or in a job. In terms of future teaching, I expect more understanding of technological differences and more likelihood to embrace the digital movement.