Journal 4

I used twitter daily before taking this class so my experience has been a smooth one. I am familiar with all of the concepts that the app has. I think it is very cool how twitter connects you with people from all over the world who have similar views as you. I know that other social media apps can do this as well but the platform and layout of twitter makes it more accessible to me. I have been interacting with classmates, current teachers, and advocates for better funding in schools. By interacting with all of these people I have been introduced to a bunch of information that I had no idea about pertaining to public schools as well as ways in which we can make the lives of teachers and students better. I hope to become a civil rights attorney in the future. Twitter could help me keep the public updated on injustices occurring in our society as well as inform me on these as well. I could also collaborate with other attorneys through Twitter.

The digital divide is one problem that we will have to face in the future when it comes to students using technology in the classroom. For one, some students simply do not have access to technology when they are home which can make it incredibly difficult for them to succeed in classes that heavily depend on technology. I believe that ending the digital divide starts with more school funding. Every school needs several computer labs so that students can conduct research while at school if the assignment calls for that. I also think that there should be sets of portable computers that can travel from class to class. It is important that when teachers assign work that has technology involved, they give the students enough time to complete those assignments in class just in case they do not have access to technology at home otherwise they are put at a disadvantage.

Two educational software programs that I am interested in using in my future classroom (if I were a teacher) would be Class Dojo and Kahoot. Class Dojo is used to track the behavior of students. When you add or takeaway points in the app the parents are automatically notified. There are also learning opportunities within Class Dojo as well. Especially with younger kids, Class Dojo is a good way to ensure that the students are always behaving. Kahoot can be used to assess students on their knowledge of topics being taught in class. I have never met anyone who does not enjoy playing Kahoot. The competitive edge to the software makes it more fun for students to participate.