Marc Prensky coined the term digital native in his work Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants published in 2001. Our students today are all “native speakers” of the digital language of computers, video games and the Internet. (Prensky, 2001). Most teachers who have taught for 15 years or more would most likely agree that today’s students think and process information fundamentally differently from their predecessors. Often teachers note differences in engagement in the classroom - which is why it is so important to understand how this generation of learners learn.
The course “Understanding the Impact of Technology on Education, Work, and Society” at Walden University has helped me to better understand and consider the needs of my digital native students. Although I was familiar with the effective uses of wikis, podcasts and blogs - this course really made me examine my learning environment and better design lessons that allow my students to be planners, creators, collaborators, decision makers and problem solvers. Creativity is needed to apply the benefits of new technology to education, and teachers need to be willing to change from a teacher-centered to a learner-centered classroom. I am committed to being an enthusiastic adopter of new technology, and equally willing to find ways to continually engage students in learning that is relevant.
Dr. Chris Deede asserts in his video presentation “Evolution of Technology and Pedagogy” that technology can be can either be automating or innovating (Laureate, 2008). When planning my lessons I often think of this - and examine whether I am integrating technology in a way that will allow students to innovate - or do something that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to do. Technology has facilitated the capacity to learn things in different ways. One goal that I have is to teach my fourth grade students podcasting and allow them to create podcasts which teach content in their other curricular areas. They could create a series of podcasts which teach the steps of long division, writing skills or define and give examples of landforms. These podcasts could be published to iTunes and be downloaded to the school’s or students’ personal iPods and MP3 players.
Another goal I have is to create a platform for students to connect with other students in order to create student learning networks. Expanding on the idea of creating learning podcasts, students could connect with other classrooms, share their podcasts via blogs and exchange thoughts and ideas with students from across the globe. Receiving authentic feedback will enable students to identify and explore diverse perspectives and processes to find multiple solutions to problems.
I look forward to expanding my knowledge of learning, teaching, and leading with technology with the aim of increasing student achievement by continuing my master’s program at Walden University, serving on my school district’s technology curriculum development team, attending and learning from the ISTE conference this summer, teaching technology professional development courses to colleagues and teaching technology camps for students in my community. I equally gain knowledge when I teach classes - as it gives me real perspectives from teachers and students that cause continuous reflection of my own learning.
As I reflect on the self-assessment checklist that I completed at the beginning of this course, it feels good to know that I am making growth in my skills and practices of integrating technology in the classroom in order to support 21st Century Skills. Through the use of blogs, my 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students are engaged in activities that promote self-reflection and self-examination of their own learning. I am also working with a team of teachers to design curriculum and learning experiences that align with the Iowa Core Curriculum 21st Century Learning benchmarks and standards. Although I always feel I can improve, grow and develop as a lifelong learner - I am proud of the advancements I have made by applying the knowledge I have gained in this course.
Resources:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2008). Evolution of Technology and Pedagogy. Baltimore: Author.
Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives, digital immigrants. On the Horizon, 9(5)
