Today we had a discussion in class about digital natives and digital immigrants. Digital immigrants are those who are somewhat foreign to technology, where as digital natives were born into the technologies which are available today. It is said that, there is a divide between many of those who are digital immigrants who do not understand the way the use of technology has changed the minds of our children, and the children who find technology a way of life. Today's students spend large amounts of time with technologies which are banned or prohibited in schools.
Because of technology, we are interconnected like never before...Students spend so much time playing video games, texting their friends and interacting on social networks. Our education system was built during the "manufacturing age" when people had different educational goals, aspirations and jobs to prepare for. Now educators are preparing students for jobs that do not even exist as of yet. Things are changing and they are changing quickly. Some teachers, who are digital immigrant, cannot relate to this way of life since it is so different from the way they grew up and were taught.
Most middle school and high school students have cell phones these days, which are normally banned from campus. In my experience as a teacher, cell phones and other technologies at school can cause distractions. Especially when students text or listen to music during the class period as their teachers are lecturing. Many teachers are frustrated with their students have a lack of attention and interest in conventional methods of learning.
My opinion is that the question shouldn't be how we can bring technology into the classroom, but how can we teach students to leverage technology appropriately?
I agree that we need to teach students how to use technology appropriately. There is a time and place for everything, and students need to understand when and how to use their electronic devices appropriately in the classroom setting. Having clearly defined rules, policies and procedures regarding the use of electronic devices in the classroom is one way for middle school and high school teachers to begin to integrate technology into the classroom at appropriate times for the 21 century academic setting. As educators, it is our job to help mold the digital native children into technologically responsible adults.
ReplyDelete