Popular Technology in Teaching-Written Analysis 2

            Technology continues to expand in many different ways, such as the use of the IPAD in schools.  Teachers are expected to use these technologies to teach their lesson plans to their students.  The learning abilities of a student are focused and centered on how the teacher is teaching the class.  It is her responsibility to create an environment where the student can learn and utilize their knowledge to their highest potential.  The introduction of computers and IPADS are doing just that.

Some stereotypes of using computers or IPADS to teach include the age of teachers.  The teachers who have seniority have been teaching for a very long time and may refuse to use or learn the computer in order to use them in their teachings.  Some teachers in this category were forced to retire simply because they do not want to change the way they teach.  These teachers are so set in their old teaching methods that learning a new way scares them.

On the other hand, younger teachers prefer to teach using the computers and IPADS.  This generation of teachers grew up knowing how to communicate using computers, IPADS, internet, Facebook, email, etc., and many others types of technological advances.  Schools tend to hire younger teachers to replace the older ones simply because they do not need to be trained in technology.

Another stereotype pertains to students who refuse to learn.  There will always be students who not care to learn whether or not the classroom is using IPADS.  These students will use them to play games or simply abuse them.  Remember, if the student did not have the IPAD, she or he would be using paper and pen to draw and play games instead of paying attention in class and working on their lessons.

Just as there seems to be stereotyping, there are also rituals.  Teachers will always be in competition with each other.  They will always strive to be the better teacher with better student scores.  They will structure their lesson plans in a better way as to integrate them using technology.  Another ritual is the ongoing technological advances.  Teachers will be expected to continuously learn new material through the use of lessons or computers to keep up with the new technological advances.  Because technology is rapidly changing every day, so are the challenges of teachers and students.

 

Popular Technology in Teaching

Popular Technology in Teaching                        

            Technology is the way of the world today.  Things such as computers, cell phones, email, and blogs are a few technological inventions that are controlling the way we communicate and teach today.  In schools, we see that computers and internet are used in day to day curriculum and educational instruction.  Some believe that computers will eventually replace teachers.  I do not foresee this happening.  No matter what happens in technology, we will always need our teachers.  Others believe that the use of computers and other types of technology in schools will have a fatal effect on our children’s minds.  Many believe that teaching is the responsibility of the teacher and that we should consider the conditions affecting our culture and the teaching abilities of our teachers.

            Sometimes it is hard to accept a new way of teaching.  Especially for those teachers who are not experienced in using computers or Ipads.  The enhancement of utilizing computers in classrooms is made possible through hiring of younger teachers who are familiar with the new technological enhances.  The uses of these new technologies are excellent educational tools because it is replacing the pencil and books that is no longer a necessity.

            Teaching and learning is possible when knowledgeable teachers are educated in the educational context of their class that utilize the technological tools.  Computers are not the only tools being utilized in schools today.  Let’s look at graphing calculators.  For those that have ever used a graphing calculator knows exactly how much can be performed in respects to calculations, graphing, and tables.  The use of graphing calculators in math has essentially aided students in performing calculations in less time.  Graphing calculators are a great tool to have and they are inexpensive if bought in bulks.  This is why schools are able to buy so many so that each student is able to be provided with one.  Technology is possible in all schools.  But in order for technology to work, it must be inexpensive and be properly integrated.

Icon Analysis

 

 

 

 

 

My three chosen icons are Sesame Street, Breast Cancer program and NFL.  Sesame Street was and still is an educational program for children to prepare them for pre-school.  The program teaches children the alphabet, numbers, and shapes.  Breast Cancer program is symbolized by a pink ribbon, which advertises the awareness of breast cancer and how we can help fight it.  NFL stands for National Football League.  This league contains the highest professional football teams of the states such as the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys.

 Sesame Street is a program with many different characters such as Ernie and Bert, Big Bird, the Cookie Monster, and Elmo.  These characters along with many others caught the attention of my children as they were growing up.  To get them out of bed in the mornings, all I had to do was tune in to Sesame Street.  It was very educational for my kids and they loved watching it.  I’m glad that it is still a part of public television today.

Breast Cancer is a very serious illness and science is endlessly trying to find a cure.  Because cancer has affected my family, it is important that we as a whole make every effort to help and support the fight for breast cancer.  Wearing the pink ribbon symbol represents your support in campaigning to find a cure to help those individuals that are faced with this terrible disease.

NFL which stands for National Football League is the highest professional league.  I just don’t know what the men in our house would do on Sunday nights or Monday nights and I think now on Thursday nights without their football.  Sometimes, depending on who’s playing, the yelling and hollering that goes on in my living room seems like that there’s 20 guys in the room.  I just don’t get it.  What is so exciting about getting tackled and possibly getting hurt?  I’m not into football at all, but the guys love it and what can I say, only that I’m glad for the extra television set.  NFL, you are a favorite in our home.    

Popular Culture

What is popular culture, and what does it mean to you?

As I understand it, popular culture is made up of peoples’ religious beliefs, traditions, and different types of languages, different ethnic origins, music, art, and the variety of ethnic foods.  It is also about how each individual lives and works in society.  Culture is all over the world.  It is how we talk, walk, dress and associate with others.   Culture is also about traditions such as the celebration of a girl's fifteenth birthday.  This celebration is observed by people of Latin America.  It symbolizes the evolution from childhood to young womanhood.  It is very hard to completely define popular culture because it found in just about every aspect of the world.  In today’s world, I believe that the growing pace of technology is defining how we live and work.  I always wonder how we would survive without cell phones and computers when it seems that these things are of necessity.  I believe that the world would crumble and would not know how to react.

Why is an understanding of popular culture relevant to you in a business environment and in your present and future career?

            Popular culture in my business and career defines who I am as a person, friend, and co-worker.  I have two very important jobs and both require interaction with the public.  The person that I have to be is one that is patient and understanding since I have to deal with people of different ethnic origins.  Being bilingual in Spanish is a big plus for me.  My jobs also require the use of computers and the understanding of a variety of computer programs.  Without the computer and other necessities, I would not be able to perform my job.

What would you consider to be an example of a pop culture artifact? And why would you choose it?

            One very important culture artifact is the bible and its teachings.  I chose this artifact because my feelings toward religion and god are important in my family life.  I cannot understand why the public makes such a riot when god is spoken about or when someone decides to demonstrate bible verses to the public eye in one form or fashion.  I say that if you do not like what you see, then close your eyes.  This world has become so self-centered that they do not realize how they got here in the first place.  I for one believe in god and I would not have it any other way.  God has been there for me and my family and has answered many of my prayers.