During an undergraduate course, I had been introduced to Prensky and his views of "Digital Natives" and "Digital Immigrants". To be honest, at the time, I did not give the idea much thought until I began my student teaching in a kindergarten classroom and especially now as a kindergarten teacher. My students amaze me everyday with their knowledge and capabilities with the use of technology. In my classroom, my students have access to 6 iPads and 6 MacBooks and an interactive whiteboard everyday, all day. Not only do I teach my students as a whole class, in a small group, and one-on-one, but my students are also able to play educational "games" that reinforce what I have taught.
Although I am technically a "Digital Immigrant", I do not agree with, as Prensky states, "the single biggest problem facing education today is that our Digital Immigrant instructors, who speak an outdated language (that of the pre-digital age), are struggling to teach a population that speaks an entirely new language". That does not mean that as a "Digital Immigrant", we cannot learn and master new technology to teach a new generation. I believe that the biggest challenge in learning new ways of doing things, is a person's attitude. If you are willing to learn, you can!
Not all that has been taught in school and the way it was taught is irrelevant. It is my job as an educator to plan my instruction around my students' needs and teach in a way that is effective and engaging for them. It is my job to prepare them for high school, college and the workforce.
The most important lesson we can teach the next generation is, to think!
One thing to think about is the different between technical skills with new technology and the ability to use technology for a purpose (as the term technology can be defined as a tool used to solve a problem). As we continue the discussion this week, are we fooled by students when they show technical prowess with devices but cannot use them for meaningful learning? How would we change that?
ReplyDeleteProfessor Siko,
DeleteI agree with you. Although, as a kindergarten teacher, I need to teach my students the technical skills they need (especially during the first semester) to have the ability to use technology for a purpose. My students have started to use a couple apps in which they are able to record a retelling using puppets and present it to the class and another app where they are able to create their own graphic organizers using photos they have taken themselves.
Hi Juliana,
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is the teachers job to keep the students engaged in a lesson that provokes them to use their minds to think . Some of the equipment that younger children are able to learn from are easier for them because they see the ipad and macbook as fun toys and not hard work. When educators are able to incorporate their lesson plans into the technology so that learning is just as much fun as it is when they think they are playing then i think we have made a step. I think we have to use technology as a tool for critical thinking not a tool that just monopolizing their time. Learning should be fun and exciting, in my high school classroom they are allowed to use every piece of technology that they have to show me how they solved a problem with their brain.
I couln't agree more! My students use a program that individualized instruction based on their specific needs. They are able to take quizes, watch videos, complete apps, and have to record a reteaching video at the end of each mission. It helps them to verbalize what they have learned and helps me better understand any misconceptions they may have.
DeleteJuliana, That's awesome that you're integrating so much technology into your kindergarten class. As Andrea said in her post, many students don't see the technology as "work," but see it as fun. Their growing up playing on iPhones, tablets, and computers, so they are associating these things with fun and happy memories. As teachers, we could maximize these opportunities. For example, I have a student who is reading/writing at a Pre-K level. To accommodate for his low skill level, he can answer questions that are content based in Dragon dictation. He thinks it is fun and doesn't mind doing the work as much.
ReplyDeleteTrue! Although, for some students it can be distracting at times. I am fortunate that my district provides me with all the technology for my classroom. What grade do you teach?
DeleteAmber, I think Dragon is an amazing tool. I have heard of other students using it as well to write book reports and essays. Is Dragon part of a set of software tools available to all your students?
DeleteJuliana, that is a very good point on the Prensky article. I too was given the article. Part of what I took away from it was yes, when I was in high school there were no computers and in college they were just emerging but, not as the tools we know them to be today. I learned how to use them, the software that came along with them and proceeded to stay on top of the technology as it grew. Quite frankly I was here first and the technology immigrated into my world. That same technology is immigrating into classrooms now as well. My sister-in-law teaches 4th grade and has for 30 years. 2 years ago in June she was sent home with iPad with the following instructions. Research apps over the summer, decide which ones you will integrate into your curriculum and how you will use them with your students. You will be evaluated on how well you do this. Unrealistic expectations at best.
ReplyDelete