Technology in Education: Notes from the Closet

Back in 2017, I wrote a blog post about how I spent my time online . Using David White's  concept of  Visitors vs. Residents,  I examined  the technology tools and sites I frequented most and reflected on whether I used them professionally or personally. I then categorized them according to White's idea:  Visitors use technology tools to get a job done quickly. They don't leave a digital trail or engage with others. Residents regularly interact with others or create with technology while openly sharing parts of themselves, whether names, comments, or resources.  At that time, I was in a different role in education as a school-based instructional technology coach. Now, I am still in the field of education, but as the Director of Distance Learning for a community college. The only role that hasn't changed in those eight years is my role as an adjunct instructor. The assignment to map digital spaces has always been one of my favorites, so this week I decided ...

Update! See my newest map from 2025 .  I love my PLN.  As an instructional technology coach and an adjunct professor, I am continuously on the hunt for new ideas and ways to reach more students and teachers. Recently I participated in an #ISTETEN Twitter chat on Student Voices and Future Visions which included everyone from professors, coaches, teachers, and pre-service teachers.  During the chat a question was presented about student voice and what we learn when we listen to students. This led to the idea of students mapping their use of the Internet.  Some professors have students map their professional learning networks, others ask students to map digital spaces that they frequent. This idea was fascinating to me. In 2001 Marc Prensky coined the phrases "Digital Natives" and "Digital Immigrants" essentially stating that your age determined how comfortable you were with using the Internet. He explained that students born after a certain time frame were more c...