Bret McMann's Digital Learning Space

What are your early memories of using technology?  Thinking back to my earliest memories surrounding technology seems to be a greater task than I had first imagined.  I don’t have a lot of memories to be honest, but I do remember our family having some form of technology.  I remember getting our family’s first desktop computer with the huge screen, tower and speakers.  I remember the dial up internet and the sound of the computer connecting to the web.  I…

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Educators and schools have a responsibility to help their students develop a digital footprint. Who’s Responsible? Again, another loaded debate topic! Initially I began to think that well maybe it is our responsibility to help students develop their digital footprint….then I thought to myself would I place that responsibility on my son’s teacher? ….I would not. That made me rethink my initial thought to it is our jobs as educators to EDUCATE students on digital footprints and developing their own. …

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Debate #5 – Social media is ruining childhood Again this week, I find this topic very difficult to answer.  Both sides of this debate did a great job outlining their stances which made it difficult to pick a side.  I believe that social media can impact childhood, but to say it is ruining it is hard for me.  I think that if children are not taught the proper way to engage with these platforms or the skills to be critical…

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Debate #3 –  Schools should no longer teach skills that can be easily carried out by technology (e.g., cursive writing, multiplication tables, spelling). In a world where the progression of technology and its capabilities will continue to advance at an alarming rate, the many simple tasks that were once required of human beings will go the way of the dodo bird.  I do believe that there is still value in teaching certain tasks that are easily carried with technology.  Humans…

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This has been an ongoing, internal issue I have been struggling with for the last few years… Does tech enhance learning in the classroom? Somedays I think it does, and some other days I want to SMAAAAAAASH every piece of technology in my sight!  But to answer the question honestly, I think if technology is implemented properly and used effectively, with a distinct purpose (not just to say you use it) it can enhance learning.  Technology is an entity that…

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When I sit back and think about my day in the life relating to technology, I begin to feel overwhelmed and somewhat embarrassed about how much I use technology in my personal and professional lives.  My days usually start and end the same way – in bed immediately reaching for my phone.  There really isn’t a good reason to do so, I am not doing anything productive, just a habit that I have developed.  I interact with most of the…

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