Blog #1 Beginning of the Fall 2025 semester.

My previous experience with AI applications is not huge. I mostly only use ChatGPT and I only discovered how to use it a little over a year ago. I use it to aid in helping with time consuming tasks but never with content creation for writing and things like that. I find it is very helpful when I have say forgotten to read my 20 page textbook reading for class. I can import the pages and ask for a detailed summery. Additionally I use it for stuff in my everyday life, like making me a meal plan/grocery list. It is nice to have a tool that can do things efficiently for me when it seems I have so little spare time.

The educational technology being used in my 3rd year practicum placement includes smart boards, Chromebooks, and coding classes that include little robots. Our classroom uses to smart board multiple times daily for note taking, video playing, interactive games and many other things. They use the Chromebooks, for writing in English, or creating graphic designs in art. It is super awesome because my class has their own set of Chromebooks in their classroom. They also have a coding classes in which they learn the basics of coding and then eventually will get the chance to program little robots with their code.

A burning question I have about digital technology would be how to balance technology with “in person” teaching. By that I mean, how much as teachers should we automate our students learning experiences as opposed to just teaching them without technology. This is important to me because as much as I love technology and the endless possibilities in brings us to teach in new, fun and creative ways. I also firmly believe that screens and technology are harmful to kids and that they need more time outside, enjoying face to face interactions, and actually having to struggle a little bit for knowledge by not having an endless stream of information at their fingertips.