Preface and Chapter 1

I found chapter 1 to be very insightful and raise many questions.  Like everyone and especially anyone going into teaching, I am curious and a bit scared of technology.  As discussed in the chapter, technology is always changing and giving people more power at their finger-tips.  It is true that people can learn anything they want from almost anywhere at anytime.  Like anything with technology though, this is good and bad.  I agree that schools must adapt with the growth of technology and give our students the tools that will be useful in and outside of school.  It is important to incorporate ideas and technologies that are relevant.  At the same time though, you should not abandon the traditional American schooling.  We must put the two together somehow.  You need technology to help the students learn in new ways and show them how to use what is available for them.  This also allows them to learn more out of school.  Also, you need traditional schooling to teach things that you just can't get from a computer or phone.  Without schooling you miss out on learning how to be social, build self-confidence, meet friends, learn to speak and interact with others, discipline, and the most basic tool of all, listening and comprehending.  I agree that technology must be used in schools but it should not replace teachers or the normal way of schooling but come together as one and give our students what they need.  As I become a teacher, I will learn to incorporate new technologies into my classroom.  This does not mean that I will abandon books and writing and choose cellphones over everything else, but I will use the technology that is vital for children to learn to use.  You can use podcasts to put extra teaching online for students to reach or for parents to see what you're up to.  You can start a blog to challenge thinking outside of school and share your ideas anywhere and at anytime.  I will use technology hand-in-hand with traditional schooling.