Blog Post Four

            Twitter is undoubtably one of my favorite social media platforms; I’ve been using it since middle school to keep updated with all my favorite celebrities. In high school, I began to take it more seriously. Not only did I use Twitter to stay updated on world news, but I also relied on it to get school announcements. We would use Twitter to announce meetings, sign up dates, and all sorts of events that were taking place on campus. I was able to interact with my classmates for further clarification (if necessary). It was convenient, quick, and keep me updated. I think using Twitter in a classroom could aid students in their success. It could certainly be beneficial in reminding them of their assignments/due dates, but it could also provide them with a platform for easy teacher-student communication. On twitter, they could tweet out their question, which could benefit other students who need further clarification. There’s also an option for direct messaging, which a student could use if they wanted a more personal conversation (that isn’t publicized). 

            As a student, I never fully experience the digital divide. I went to school in a middle-class area (where everyone had access to technology). Even if one student didn’t have their own laptop, my schools (elementary, middle, and high) could provide them with fully functioning rentals to complete their assignments. I think the digital divide is caused by money, politics, location, and socioeconomic status. In EDF1005, I’ve been learning about legislation that’s been passed within the last decade, providing certain schools with more money than others. The schools that are getting this money are being put on a pedestal for having mainly middle to upper-class students (that tend to do better academically). These students (who don’t need as much help) are rewarded, while the students who seriously need assistance aren’t getting it! Because these students tend to not test as well, their schools don’t receive as much money, which limits their ability to purchase new technology. This puts students at a huge disadvantage: they aren’t able to learn about technologies’ that will be most likely be utilized throughout their careers. As a teacher, I’ll incorporate technology as often as I can, but I’ll give student’s class time to complete their work. If I ever assign essays or other assignments that require technology, I’ll take my classes to the library or computer labs. When necessary, I’ll make sure that every student has access to technology that will help them succeed. 

            Something I definitely want to incorporate into my classroom is Google Classroom. I’ve been exploring it for my first Independent Learning Project and it’s the perfect classroom resource. Students have access to everything they would need: reminders, calendars, assignments, etc. I also wished I used it in grade school, it’s almost like canvas with a different layout! I’d also want to try and use Kahoot in my classroom. I loved using it in school! It created this competitive atmosphere that made me want to do better. It also was loads of fun; my classmates and I would always get excited doing a Kahoot. I think they’re the perfect way to implement a fun, simple review into my classroom and I plan on utilizing Kahoot quizzes in the future!