Digital Badge #1

1. The use if tablets, smartphones, and laptops is becoming more and more necessary as times goes by. Tablets are small flat screens similar to the size of a notebook. This piece of technology is able to basically do anything a regular computer would. According to the text book, " Tablets and smartphone can be used of thousands of instructional purposes, including: Supporting learning in every subject area-interactive world maps in social studies, online, and poetry collections in language arts" ( page 6). Laptops are also another useful source of technology to keep in mind for teachers and students. As a collage students, taking my laptop to class became more useful than taking my notebook. In my laptop I was able to type down my notes as the class went by, without being afraid of loosing them later on. I could also look up resources talked about in the classroom and place them as a bookmark, so when it was time to start on my homework, I would have my resources ready. 
2. Technology -based textbook is a new form of teachers creating a new way to organize their information based on how a text book would be put together. With this form of new textbook, teachers are also allowed to provide students with their own academic ideas. This new way of creating a new text book for students gives students an opportunity to learn more from the teacher and also from similar authors to open their minds to new information and to learn more of the reading along the way.
3. Social media, is creating an up rise in the communication between students and teachers. Every year there are more and more students connecting to any sort of social media. The use of social media for most young kids is to communicate with friends and to see what is going on around the world, but imagine how great it would be for teachers to be able to communicate with their students even out of school hours. Based on the text book, "With the use of social media teachers can feature more than lesson plans and educational materials designed to show the talent of teacher. It can engage students, join learning communities, and enliven instruction"(page 16). Teachers using social media to create communication with students, can in the future be the biggest bridge of keeping in touch with students, parents, and teachers on academic topics.