Dr. David Preston's English Class

Technology is everywhere; in our homes, cars, workplace, even in our pockets, but what about our classrooms? I’m sure you all remember the never ending lists of required school supplies; multiple composition books, a sturdy binder, a good supply of paper and extensive amounts of pencils and pens that always seemed to disappear a few weeks after their purchase. Take that memory and replace it with a new list of school supplies that only consists of a journal, a small stack of paper, two pens (can’t forget the backup), and your cellphone. This is the list required to properly function in Dr. David Preston’s English class. Dr. Preston is a former English professor from UCLA who currently teaches English at Ernest Righetti High School. Dr. Preston

Dr. Preston encourages his students to journey beyond pencil and paper and reach out into the brave new world, also known as the era of technology. Students use websites such as; Blogger, Twitter, Facebook, Pintrest and Tumblr to further their education and work as a team. By using platforms they were familiar with, students were able to complete homework assignment with little stress and consistent ease. “Digital social networks have become increasingly important to learners because they provide a place to interact that we no longer have in physical space," Dr. Preston states. The internet has a bad reputation for creating interpersonal relationships and severing genuine communication and proper learning. Dr. Preston goes against that belief by training his students how to properly utilize the internet through interdependence and self-reliance (these are also assignments Dr. Preston assigns his students so that they are able to gain more understanding on the subjects). Interdependence is the mutual dependence between two things. Dr. Preston teaches his students to rely on each other throughout the class year through their blogs. By allowing students to comment and critique each other, students are grow and learn through their peers. Self-reliance is reliance on one's own powers and resources rather than those of others. Though Dr.

Although many teachers might discourage the action of pulling out a cell phone during class time, Preston encourages it. (Camillia Lanham).

Technology has become a form of taboo in today’s classrooms. Cell phones are forbidden and journeying anywhere outside of Microsoft on your laptop while in class is considered disrespectful. There are so many educators that choose to look down on a tool that is only becoming more relevant to today’s generation. OSL encourages the use of all forms of technology in the classroom in order to provide limitless sources and knowledge during class time. “I encourage use open use of tech in the classroom because it's not encouraged elsewhere on campus, and I believe students need to prepare themselves by developing both technical skills and the mindfulness necessary to concentrate and prioritize. The most important element here is critical thinking that leads to making purposeful decisions. Technology shouldn't be used for the sake of technology, it should be used when it's the right/best tool for the job,” Preston states. It’s not about allowing students the freedom to use their electronics in class; it’s about teaching them how to properly utilize their resources so that they can appreciate their education to the fullest extent. Technology is often categorized as the biggest distraction in today’s day and age, Dr. Preston works to