Journal 3

Greenhow, C. (2008).Who are today's learners?. Learning & Leading with Technology. 36, 16-17.

After reading, “Who Are Today’s Learners,” written by Christine Greenhow, I have come in the realization that many teachers stereotype their students based on backgrounds and socioeconomic status. This particular article focuses on technology and how students take advantage of it. Numerous teachers make the mistake of assuming that not all students have access to a computer, so they do not integrate technology into their lesson plans. Technology can be implemented across the curriculum to enhance academic learning and the advanced learning of technology. In today’s society technology is a very popular domain of our everyday life. The article brought up an excellent suggestion, that by simply conducting a survey on the first day of class would inform the teacher about her student’s knowledge of technology and how they interact with it. Students reported often use of Internet, email, and cell phone on an everyday basis. Students are aware of the basics of technology and it is our job to extend on that knowledge. Most students enjoy using computers, so by implementing them into the curriculum will engage them in that particular lesson. My incorporating something that they do in everyday life will engage them. Expanding on their knowledge will also prepare them for outside world that relies on technology to function.

Questions
1. What are the two assumptions that new and veteran teachers make about students?
The assumptions teachers make are that students are computer savvy, which intimidates teachers, and that students from low-income backgrounds are technologically improvised.
2. Why do students want to incorporate mobile computing and the web into the classrooms?
They feel that it would make school correlate with careers and future workplaces that will arise in their future.