4.5 Assignment: Critical Reflection Journal/Blog

What is new to my thinking or learning this past week?

             I continue to be amazed as I progress through the courses in this program how much technology has impacted education, from the way and how we teach to how we communicate with students and parents. I learned a lot over the last two weeks about various applications used in the classroom and communicating with parents about their student’s educational progress. 

            I am what Prensky calls a ‘Digital Immigrant,’ and my daughter, who is 17 and a senior in high school, is a ‘Digital Native.’  A ‘Digital Native has grown up with technology, and a ‘Digital Immigrant’ is one who didn’t but has adopted new technology as it has been developed.  Today’s students —K through college— are considered ‘Digital Natives’ and represent the first generations to grow up with technology. This generation of learners has spent their entire lives surrounded by and using computers, video games, digital music players, video cams, cell phones, and all the other toys and tools of the digital age. 

            Communication had changed dramatically from when I was in school.  I have to say that if my principal wanted to communicate with my mom, he just came out to the school bus that she drove and communicated what needed to be communicated.  There was no getting away with things at school when you lived in a small community, AND your mom was the school bus driver.  While all these apps are a great way to engage students and parents in the educational process, I must wonder if we have lost the personal in-person touch?  There is something to be said about principals and teachers who knew their kid’s parents by name, knew the family situations, and invested in a personal relationship with them. I hope that someday we can get back to a personal touch in education.

 How has this new information challenged me? How has this stretched my professional growth and development? What are the implications of this week’s learning on my professional practice?

             I sometimes feel overwhelmed by all the new technology, applications, software programs, and gadgets used today.  The most challenging thing for me as an up-and-coming practitioner is to stay up to date with all the options that educators have.  I often hear about something or see something online and mention it to my wife and stepdaughter, only to have them say, “do you live under a rock?”  “that’s nothing new”; it’s been around for months, then they would call me a “boomer,” referring to the baby boomer generation.  By the way, I am not old enough to be considered a ‘boomer’ and make sure that they are aware of that fact.

            To remain relevant and competent in this profession, I know that I must educate myself and stay on top of the latest in the tech world.  I believe this is important to be aware of new tools that can enhance my student’s educational journey and know what my students are being exposed to.  While there are many applications, software, and content on the internet, some of it is used for harm.  As educators, we are mandated reporters regarding child abuse and other things; I believe the same is true of harmful technological things.  If we see our students using it, hear about it, or know about it, we need to report it.  This is a vital part of digital citizenship and is our responsibility as educators.

How can these new learnings be used to impact my personal faith journey and my impact for the Kingdom?

             I continue to think each week about how we can use technology to reach a lost world for Christ.  Scripture talks about how Christ will return when everyone in the world has heard the good news and gospel of Jesus Christ.  I must wonder, with the advances in technology and the way that we can take the gospel into some of the most remote places in the world with things like the ‘Jesus Film,’ which tells the story of Jesus and His love for us if we are coming close to the second coming?  I wonder if I am doing enough with the technology at my disposal to share my faith with others. Are we living out The Great Commission that Jesus calls us to as believers in Matthew 28:16-20, and how can we use the technology we have for good to fulfill The Great Commission?

Houston Logsdon

Dr. Houston M. Logsdon II is a consistent leader in student-focused education with proven and professional experience in both higher education in the areas of Enrollment, Advising, Financial Aid, and Online Instruction/Teaching and secondary education in the areas of Character Education, Educational Mandates, Attendance Management, Special Education. His extensive experience in Advising, Customer Service, Management, Consulting, and Administration spans over 20 years.

My “Why" is to Reimagine the learning experience and support students pursuing their educational goals so that they (students) have the highest level of service to ensure the most effective, efficient, and enriching educational experience possible. I seek to inspire students to do things that inspire others so that together we can change the world.

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