Overall, I have used some MS Word in the past, but not a lot to feel the most comfortable with it. I can utilize the basic functions and use it as a very basic word processor, but I have used it seldom in the past and am more so comfortable utilizing Google Docs. I remember using Google as my primary word processor since elementary school which has allowed me to get intimately familiar with the ins and outs of it. This is a sharp comparison to all of the unknowns that I still have with MS Word which is why I prefer Google Docs (dislike of the unknown and all of that).
The most meaningful ISTE for educators is the analyst aspect of it. I find this to be the most important to myself because if you can't analyze then you can't adapt which can make it difficult to provide the most effective instruction. I especially want to utilize topic 2.7.c: Use Data to Guide Progress as that is one of the key components to effective instruction: to analyze how students are receiving the information so that way I can adapt as needed. I am curious on what are some of the methods that are the most accurate but also the most efficient for student data collection and analysis.
With all of the talk about "digital native", I can't help but think that it is simply too broad to be accurate. More specifically, I find that no one person is fully a digital native and instead each and every person is a native of different aspects of the digital world. For example, many younger generations don't know how to efficiently type on a keyboard as that has not been a skill generally taught as older generations have assumed that generations like mine are "digital natives" and should inherently know how to type, which is fundamentally not true. But this doesn't just happen with typing; it also happens with simply using a word processor like MS Word. "Digital natives" are expected to already have a solid grasp on how to navigate word processors at younger ages (like middle and high school) without the explicit instruction of what certain aspects of word processors do. I do see that with future generations there might be some of this that they experience as well, and that certain aspects of the digital world they will have a better grasp on in comparison to me, much like how I have a strong grasp on how newer applications work in comparison to a generation or two behind me.
I completely agree with you when it comes to the argument over digital natives! There really is an expectation to already know the inner working of technology, so much so that we are failing to learn a lot of the basics. The idea that digital natives know all simply because of when they were born is not wholly true and can put people at a disadvantage.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you said about google docs. I used to only use MS word, but Google Docs is simply so much easier to navigate. I also think its an interesting conversation to have because each big company has very similar programs, so we can't just assume being good in one means being good in another.
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