I admit it, I am a Digital Immigrant. I hardly used a computer until my late college years, and although I have gotten more comfortable using technology, I am nowhere nearly as savvy as the kids around me. Sure, I have my fancy Mac laptop and my snazzy new I-phone, but they keep me busy with the bare minimum: I can search for information online, I can email and I can make a basic doc file, but that is about the extent of it. I am amazed by the surge in technology and the breadth of kids’ knowledge about all things digital. The Prensky articles only further shed light on my need to brush-up on computer skills and approach curriculum in a modern and ascertainable way so that I will be on my students’ level.
As Prensky states, “Today’s teachers have to learn to communicate in the language and style of their students.” I wholeheartedly agree; we need to scrap our archaic methods and learn how to engage students in a captivating way. Students are completely immersed in the digital world outside our classroom, and we need to foster their learning in the same way. If video games can keep them entertained for 7 hours a day, why not use games as a resource in our class? We should incorporate these tools and use them to our advantage. I think many teachers are simply resistant to change, but this is a modern world and we are working with technologically advanced students - it is our duty to evolve.
Prensky calls attention to one study in particular: It showed that “students in class typically get to ask a question every 10 hours.” That is mind-boggling to me. For a generation that craves an “immediate response” and yearns for “interactivity,” it appears they are being left behind. That obviously shows that the old system isn’t working, and that change is vital to empowering and improving student learning.
While I am a novice at incorporating technology into the classroom, I do realize its profound importance. As Prensky asserts, “The fact is that even if you are the most engaging old-style teacher in the world, you are not going to capture most of our students’ attention the old way.” Times have changed, and we as teachers need to change, too. We need to adapt to a new culture and a different approach to instruction, for our sake as well as our students’ sake.
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You are an overachiever!! Good ideas and info, way to be super!
ReplyDeleteI love that eventhough you have immigrant status here you see the great importance in communicating with students in the way they know how. As an immigrant, I think you have a rich perspective of what technology can add but also what time-tested methods are important to know as well. I think its important to provide a balance betweent the use of new technology and old technology in the classroom. When students get to college, their professors will not be so accomodating and so it's good to give students the skills to be able to succeed in those environments as well. I really appreciate how thoughtful you were on this topic and how you appreciate your ability to learn from your students as you teach them.
ReplyDeleteI can tell you are a digial immigrant because its spelled iPhone, not I-phone. JK JK. I definately agree that I have some catching up to do to keep up with our students. You nailed it when you said we have to aviod the tempation to stick with what is comfortable and constantly evolve as teachers. Thanks for you insightful comments.
ReplyDeleteI realized that my first comment was very nice, but rather weak in content, so here's take two. I totally have the same outlook of being a digital immigrant, as well as share multiple facets of your explanation of why we need to adapt. It is for our students best interest (and our own), that we need to "approach curriculum in a modern and ascertainable way so that I will be on my students’ level" (Craven, 2009). I feel that this course that we are currently in, is helping us do just that, by giving us insight into many different aspects of classroom technology. Great vocab by the way, Ms. Craven!
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