Reflect for a moment about the terms defined and Turkle’s “Connected: But Alone?” Then, create a blog post and respond to the following questions:

• How have your individual communication skills changed as with the innovations in technology?
• How have advancements in technology altered classroom communication? Will these change further?

Turkle’s presentation was excellent, and I have been having similar conversations with my friends about how technology seems to ruling our lives.  One thing I always say is “Isn’t it funny how contradictory Facebook is?  It’s called Facebook, but we aren’t in anyone’s face!”  I have a Facebook page, but I rarely post anything on it.  I know people who share almost every moment of their day posting and sharing videos.  It is sad to me that they spend so much time doing then and not enough time talking with people face to face.  I honestly think they are lonely and technology is really giving people an illusion of companionship.

My individual communication skills have changed with innovations in technology in that I do text a lot.  Although I prefer talking, my children are Millenials and grew up with cell phones and technology.  My daughter would much rather text or email than have a conversation at certain times, but on the other hand she has come around in the past few years.  Now that she is 26, she appreciates conversations with her parents.  She is currently in Kuwait and now we are communicating via Facebook or Skype. Like so many people, I sleep with my phone on the bedside table.  If I forget my phone in the mornings, I will turn around and go back home to get it because I can’t imagine not being connected or plugged in. I never really jumped on the Twitter bandwagon, although I will look at Instagram occasionally to see what my children have posted.  I check my email throughout the day and early evening before I disconnect. I have learned that I cannot be connected 24-7 and it has been a plus for me.  I now take time to exercise, read and talk with friends and family.

Ten years ago I began using Quia, which is a Web-based program for creating assessments and activities.  I have even taught professional learning classes to world language and ESOL teachers in my district on how to “Work Smarter, Not Harder”.  I found out years ago, that Quia made my life easier as a teacher, because my students’ quizzes and tests are graded immediately and Quia gives instant feedback.  I began using technology before my colleagues, and my students always told me that my class was the only one using online assessments.  

The advancements in technology have altered my classroom communication.  I maintain a blog where I post assignments, tests, announcements and tests.  I have never been afraid to learn new technology skills and consider myself a progressive teacher.  I communicate with parents and students via email, texting or with my blog.  Using proper email etiquette has always been important to me and I have been practicing this for many years. Using Blackboard Collaborate and Blackboard Voiceboard helped my students to improve their speaking proficiency in a second language. They were able to speak without fear of speaking in front of the class and I was amazed at how they improved.   My love of technology has inspired me to be an online teacher and I am looking forward to continued advancements in the future.