I fear that too many educators devalue technology and participatory culture as a teaching strategy. Often times, teachers discipline students by taking away their technology sources such as iPods or tablets when they are brought to class. Children are taught that these tools have no place in the classroom and are merely a distraction from learning. We know in the tech world that this idea could not be further from the truth. In order for participatory culture to become successful in the classroom, educators must reimagine the ways in which they use technology. Teachers must not simply use technology as a way to digitize existing materials, but as a new way of promoting learning.
Incorporating technology in the classroom can be beneficial to students, parents, and educators. Students can benefit in many ways, especially if they are able to use their own technology devices. I feel it is important for students to view items such as cell phones, tablets, or computers not only as toys, but also as tools to enhance their learning and a means to access information. Secondly, I hope when I have a classroom, that parents are supportive of the use of technology as well because I feel that classroom blogs, class twitter accounts, or other forms of group communication within the realm of social media would be very beneficial to incorporate. I believe these types of tools would help to create transparency in regards to what occurs in class, and what learning goals are. This would allow students to have a strong support system in their learning. Finally, I feel it can be very beneficial for teachers to incorporate participatory culture into their teaching practice. By opening a twitter account or pinterest board for education purposes, teachers have access to a whole other community of educators beyond the limits of face-to-face interactions. Teachers can benefit from sharing ideas and tools with colleagues from all over the world, and can use participatory culture strategies to make these connections meaningful.
Overall, I feel that if we, as prospective teachers are able to embrace technology and participatory culture as an effective and meaningful means of instruction, our students will be much more prepared to utilize their skills for inquiry and exploration in their daily lives.