Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants
By Marc Prensky
From On the Horizon (MCB University Press, Vol. 9 No. 5, October 2001)
© 2001 Marc Prensky
It is amazing to me how in all the hoopla and debate these days about the decline of education in the US we ignore the most fundamental of its causes. Our students have changed radically. Today’s students are no longer the people our educational system was designed to teach.
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome talk by an Educator who feels that we are not teaching our children properly when it comes to using technology. In fact we are stifeling their development because some teachers are afraid to step out of comfort zone and let students explore things for themselves.
I consider what Mr. Marc P. says a very important aspect that as future professionals in education we must consider. Our children and teenagers have constant access to new technology, providing them with more and more information than we had. As a teacher our role is exactly that to teach but if we are unable to provide new data or at least provide an exciting learning experience we will become obsolete for our students; forcing them to loose interest in learning.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=modpyv8_Rh4&feature=related
ReplyDeleteIn this link you can observe a 1 1/2 year old boy working in a computer... just as naturally as playing with his toys!!! If that is not a digital native, who else could be found in that category.
We are facing a huge challenge, as parents and teachers, to provide these kids with the appropriate tools to get the best from technology. We have to empower them, in order to take advantage of their digital nativeness. To them, it is difficult, even nonsense, to have a day in their life without technology!!! Then, what can we do to keep their attention with us?
I think that what Mr. Prensky says it’s very true. Education has decline greatly. As he mentions, nowadays children are no longer the kids our educational system was designed to teach. Years ago, education was based on books, paper writing activities or the teacher’s own teaching interpretation on a specific subject; today we still have this approach in many schools. Children of this era seem to have overpassed such capabilities. They seem to learn quicker and be more involved than kids of past years. Based on this, Teachers need to change their teaching approach and star to incorporate new technology so students don’t grow bored. Moreover, student would be able to take advantage of their technology skills in order to enhanced their learning process.
ReplyDeleteWe as teachers must be well prepared to face digital native students in classroom. For that reason, we must be up-dated about what children are using not just for entertainment, but also for searching information or solving real life problems using technology. It is important for us go deeper than just know the tools; we must know efficiently and appropriately how to use them in classroom.
ReplyDeleteHowever, some teachers avoid using technology believing it can substitute them. It won’t substitute teacher, but yes can be a great and useful allied. Hence, teachers don’t be afraid because it doesn’t have yet replaced the attachment we give to students.
I also share Mr. Marc Prensky’s opinion. The 21st century education has completely changed and I believe that pupils are also being educated with an instruction that doesn’t meet the requirements of the so technologically bombarded students we share with in class.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, I consider that there are many teachers who do not integrate technology in their lessons because of ignorance or maybe fear; therefore, for learners who are constantly surrounded by technology, lessons will turn in the most boring thing ever. Other than that, sometimes for many current educators imparting their lessons with a smoothly flow could become in a very challenging task, since learners instead of paying attention to the professor, they are sending text messages or using other type of electronic devices.
As future professors, (when technology is even more advanced) we will face all these kind of scenarios and many others (in terms of technology). That’s why I consider that the key is starting first by adapting education to the 21st century’s students since their way of learning and environment have been totally transformed.
I found very interesting the following statement in this web page: http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te200.htm
Evidence indicates that when used effectively, "technology applications can support higher-order thinking by engaging students in authentic, complex tasks within collaborative learning contexts" (Means, Blando, Olson, Middleton, Morocco, Remz, & Zorfass, 1993).
Technology is changing our world, our education, our style of living, our way of thinking, is changing everything. I consider that it is amazing how technology is working nowadays. We can observe that we use technology almost for all the things we do.
ReplyDeleteMost people are not going out to shop since they can do it though interne. People have stopped going to college since they can study though internet so the question is: are we using technology responsibly? We must be aware that technology is offering many things, as we can find useful information we can also find useless information so we must be prepared for everything and be aware of what our kids are seeing in internet for example.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQhlqBlkU0g&feature=related
Is amazing how times change the behavior of people, I remember that the first time I used internet was when I entered to high school and my cousin that is 4years old uses the computer and internet daily, time changes and we have to incorporate to those changes so we dont get lost
ReplyDelete