Blog Journal #2 - Microsoft Word

Apple Word © 2011 by Denis Dervisevic is licensed under CC BY 2.0 

I love Microsoft Word. I am a Microsoft Word aficionado. I've used MS Word since its release and have been fascinated by it since day one. Because of my love for MS Word, I am familiar with other word processing software like Google Docs and Pages. MS Word has many pros, but depending on the project, other word processes function better. For example, for collaborating and working on templates, Google Docs is the reigning champion. It's so simple that there is hardly any lag or delays between edits, and since it does not require a download or installation and is free, it's the perfect tool for collaborating on a draft with peers. However, MS Word is superior when it comes to formatting. Most of the time, if I am working in collaboration with other people, we will type up the draft on Google Docs, and someone will polish it up on MS Word. Pages is much better for any project that includes a lot of pictures, media, or other content. It's much easier to control and manipulate objects in Pages. Additionally, Pages can use a true black page natively without having to download additional plug-ins or templates. Pages can also convert lines and shapes into vectors which allows the user to edit their form better. Pages also has access to better fonts that are easier to read than most of MS Word's fonts. However, when it comes to typing up a paper, MS Word will always be my first choice because it's just easier to standardize the formatting across a document.

AS for ISTE Standards, the one that resonates with me the most is the Facilitator standard. Autonomy has always been a very important part of my own learning journey. A student who knows how to learn even when on their own is someone who will grow and learn throughout their whole lives, not just in the classroom. Teaching students self-reliance is empowering them to take hold of their own lives. As a facilitator, your role is to teach students how to use technology to their advantage. It means to encourage creativity when using the tools they're given to accomplish their goals. It's the same thing as using formulas in math. Sure, you can plug in some numbers into the formula and get an answer, but if you don't know when and how to use the formula, it'll be meaningless knowledge. It's important for teachers of all grade levels to keep this in mind since autonomy and independence is very difficult to train into someone all at once.

I work for Apple's Tech Support. As such, I am in constant communication with both "digital natives" and "digital immigrants" and helping them resolve technological issues. I don't like the label natives and immigrants, especially since the way Mark Prensky describes them, they are categories of people separated by age groups. In reality, I come across many people who need help with their devices. There is truth to Mark Prensky's assertions. Older people have a more difficult time with technology because they don't have as much exposure to it. But the keyword is exposure. My relatives in Cuba who are my age or younger are very lost when it comes to technology because they have no exposure to technology. My boyfriend and mom, who both work for the REVEST program at MDC in Miami, have to teach Cuban immigrants how to use technology almost every day, regardless of age. Especially as the younger generation, it is our duty to help the older generations adapt to the changes we bring. Labeling people as digital natives or immigrants segments them and can create an "us versus them" mentality which can lead to impatience and indiscretions. My future students will most likely be very familiar with technology, and because of that, I should attempt to be as educated and up-to-date as possible in order to not fall behind. As of right now, my students are Apple's customers, who are all of varying ages and expertise but all of them in need of help.