TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM
Karen Craig
EDU 533W Micaela Boesche
There are many schools today that are well equipped to handle a curriculum heavily based on technology use. However there are more where perhaps the best they have is a computer lab for limited student use. With such a heavy emphasis on the importance of technology in the classroom today, this can pose a problem for less fortunate students. It doesn’t seem fair to give assignments requiring computer use when some students have limited or no access.
In her article, Who are today’s Learners? Christine Greenhow offers some great advice on how to “get to know your students’ out-of-school technology access”. The price of computers has been continually becoming more and more affordable, and this trend will continue. I would guess that someday soon, all students will have a computer at home. Until then, there are many variables to consider, and I would use Greenhow’s techniques to find out as much as I could about access outside of school before deciding on how much technology to use in my curriculum. Some may have friends or relatives who would allow them to use their computer for assignments. I will make sure that any technology based assignments are manageable, and can be done in a reasonable amount of time in a school computer lab or library, so as not to impose a disadvantage. I have had some fun in this class setting up different sites for students to visit. I will have them available for students who wish to use them, but at this time I can’t say it would be a requirement.
In the article Social Justice Choice or Necessity, Swain and Edyburn point out some great resources to help schools get computers into the classrooms. As we become more and more technological in the schools, I think these programs will grow, and soon, all students will have opportunities.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Video Games as Learning Tools
Video games as learning tools
Karen Craig
EDU 533W Micaela Boesche
I believe that if a student wants to play a video game that is designed to teach, for example, The Civil War, then it would be a successful teaching tool. Just like when players have all the characters and facts memorized in the video games they are playing at home, students would learn and know all the facts about the Civil War after playing such a game in school. My opinion is that in a situation as this one, a video game that complemented the traditional educational setting would be effective. However, I personally would not like to see them take the place of traditional instruction. For many students, as with cell phones, video games are already such a large part of their routine, and to incorporate them into the classroom and perhaps replace the traditional system would be too much. I don’t say this because I am against video games. I say this because I feel that traditional school work at times can be hard work, and there is value in hard work. There is value in achieving self discipline and a good work ethic. I feel that perhaps video games are an easy, fun alternative for learning. This is great, however, there is not going to be a video game for every hurdle a student comes across in the future. There won’t always be an easy way to tackle problems and new ideas.
Gee says in his video interview, “we have de-professionalized teachers; we’ve allowed a bunch of textbooks and tests, and politicians, and schools of education to supervise them and to do curriculum for them in ways that take away their professional responsibilities.” I agree with this, but I feel video games would also take away from teachers. If we had a video game for every subject or concept, then the video game would be doing all the work. In moderation, video games designed to teach and assess, and allow teacher and student to become “partners in learning” is a positive aspect.
Video games will not be used in my classroom as I plan to teach Physical Education to younger students. In Today’s technologies, Tomorrow’s Learning, a lot is said about Social Networking. A site as this set up for a classroom for students and teachers to communicate and share ideas is terrific. For me, this will work great. It won’t be a requirement, but students will be able to give their input on different aspects of the class and I will welcome all. As in my Wiki example, I plan to ask students to play a part in designing some aspects of their routine, and search for other ways to become healthy that we could use in class.
Karen Craig
EDU 533W Micaela Boesche
I believe that if a student wants to play a video game that is designed to teach, for example, The Civil War, then it would be a successful teaching tool. Just like when players have all the characters and facts memorized in the video games they are playing at home, students would learn and know all the facts about the Civil War after playing such a game in school. My opinion is that in a situation as this one, a video game that complemented the traditional educational setting would be effective. However, I personally would not like to see them take the place of traditional instruction. For many students, as with cell phones, video games are already such a large part of their routine, and to incorporate them into the classroom and perhaps replace the traditional system would be too much. I don’t say this because I am against video games. I say this because I feel that traditional school work at times can be hard work, and there is value in hard work. There is value in achieving self discipline and a good work ethic. I feel that perhaps video games are an easy, fun alternative for learning. This is great, however, there is not going to be a video game for every hurdle a student comes across in the future. There won’t always be an easy way to tackle problems and new ideas.
Gee says in his video interview, “we have de-professionalized teachers; we’ve allowed a bunch of textbooks and tests, and politicians, and schools of education to supervise them and to do curriculum for them in ways that take away their professional responsibilities.” I agree with this, but I feel video games would also take away from teachers. If we had a video game for every subject or concept, then the video game would be doing all the work. In moderation, video games designed to teach and assess, and allow teacher and student to become “partners in learning” is a positive aspect.
Video games will not be used in my classroom as I plan to teach Physical Education to younger students. In Today’s technologies, Tomorrow’s Learning, a lot is said about Social Networking. A site as this set up for a classroom for students and teachers to communicate and share ideas is terrific. For me, this will work great. It won’t be a requirement, but students will be able to give their input on different aspects of the class and I will welcome all. As in my Wiki example, I plan to ask students to play a part in designing some aspects of their routine, and search for other ways to become healthy that we could use in class.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Wikipedia: Ban It or Boost It
Wikipedia: Ban It or Boost It?
Karen Craig
EDU 533W Micaela Boesche
My Digital Immigrant status is confirmed with this assignment. I didn’t know what Wikipedia was or how it worked so I am glad to be learning about it now. In the past it seemed that whatever I was looking for on the internet, I started by searching key words in google, and I was often taken to Wikipedia. I would read it, and ignored, actually didn’t even notice, any warnings about the reliability of the page. I used it most recently while studying for the ORELA, and found that it was more accurate for my purposes than the $60 ORELA study guide I purchased at Barnes and Noble.
Doug Johnson says “The voice of the common man, vox populi, is being heard and heeded as a source of authentic, reliable information.” He goes on to explain that when selecting a hotel, he chooses based on this vox populi concept. This is great for choosing hotels, airlines, or buying a car. I also like the point Johnson makes about how up-to-date the information is on Wikipedia. It is being updated and edited constantly, and “Wikipedia may be one’s only reference source on recent technologies and events.” However for a research project with factual statements, a reliable resource is needed. If a student finds information on the site he or she would like to use for a project, then the information should be crossed checked.
As a Health Teacher I would not accept Wikipedia as the only reference for a research project. It is a good starting point, and may be a quick way for students to gather their thoughts and data. However, there are so many other great resources and websites out there, it should not be difficult to verify the information they find on Wikipedia. I believe that for a research paper a student should know who he or she is getting the facts from.
The article by Doug Johnson supports my view in one aspect as he says; “Basic references sources-whether Wikipedia or World Book-should b used to get a general overview of a topic or put a topic in context, not be used as a sole and final authoritative source.” I would base my policy on internet research on this statement. The information needs to be referenced to creditable sources that I would be able to easily check myself.
Karen Craig
EDU 533W Micaela Boesche
My Digital Immigrant status is confirmed with this assignment. I didn’t know what Wikipedia was or how it worked so I am glad to be learning about it now. In the past it seemed that whatever I was looking for on the internet, I started by searching key words in google, and I was often taken to Wikipedia. I would read it, and ignored, actually didn’t even notice, any warnings about the reliability of the page. I used it most recently while studying for the ORELA, and found that it was more accurate for my purposes than the $60 ORELA study guide I purchased at Barnes and Noble.
Doug Johnson says “The voice of the common man, vox populi, is being heard and heeded as a source of authentic, reliable information.” He goes on to explain that when selecting a hotel, he chooses based on this vox populi concept. This is great for choosing hotels, airlines, or buying a car. I also like the point Johnson makes about how up-to-date the information is on Wikipedia. It is being updated and edited constantly, and “Wikipedia may be one’s only reference source on recent technologies and events.” However for a research project with factual statements, a reliable resource is needed. If a student finds information on the site he or she would like to use for a project, then the information should be crossed checked.
As a Health Teacher I would not accept Wikipedia as the only reference for a research project. It is a good starting point, and may be a quick way for students to gather their thoughts and data. However, there are so many other great resources and websites out there, it should not be difficult to verify the information they find on Wikipedia. I believe that for a research paper a student should know who he or she is getting the facts from.
The article by Doug Johnson supports my view in one aspect as he says; “Basic references sources-whether Wikipedia or World Book-should b used to get a general overview of a topic or put a topic in context, not be used as a sole and final authoritative source.” I would base my policy on internet research on this statement. The information needs to be referenced to creditable sources that I would be able to easily check myself.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Cell Phones in the Classroom
Should Cell Phones Be Banned In The Classroom?
Karen Craig
EDU 533W Micaela Boesche
Before reading the assignment, my opinion on this topic was yes, cell phones should be banned in the classroom. I saw points on both sides of the argument I hadn’t thought of. One point mentioned by Liz Kolb in the Point/Counterpoint article is that “students are unaware of cell phone etiquette. Allowing cell phones to become learning tools will give teachers the opportunity to introduce appropriate cell phone etiquette to students…” I agree that students need to learn etiquette. When my 13 year old niece stayed with us for the weekend, it was hard to maintain eye contact with her when we spoke because she could not stop looking at her phone. However I think etiquette can be taught without having to implement the phone as a learning tool. Liz brings up some good points on how cell phones could be used in the classroom; including “knowledge construction, data collection, and collaborative communication…”and her arguments have swayed me just slightly in that I think “banned” may be too strong a word. A school-wide ban I believe would be asking too much, especially in a High School. Perhaps it could be left up to each individual teacher. If a teacher has a project which has a need for this technology, and the parents and students are on board, then he or she should be able to allow it.
Although Kolb makes some good arguments, I agree more with Josh Allen. He mentions “…the fact that students would use them for purposes other than educational…” What is to keep them from reading and replying to texts while using the phone for an “educational tool” during class? Also, as Allen mentions, “the goal of an educational setting should be to give students the proper tools to succeed once they step into society...employers are much more concerned about a student’s computing and critical thinking skills than their phone skills.” Students do not need to be taught how to use their phones. I am pretty sure they have that mastered.
If I become a Health teacher in Middle School or High School, cell phones would not be allowed. They use their phones constantly before school, between classes, at lunch, on the bus, at home, all weekend. They are a distraction, phone use is disrespectful to the teacher, and students should be able to exercise some self discipline and put their phones away during class. I realize I will be in for an awakening when I become a teacher, so I may need to be flexible. One idea would be to have some sort of phone or “texting fix” at some point during class. Perhaps at the beginning of class when I am taking roll. Let them get it out of their system, take care of any last minute messages, then the phones need to be put away. If I see the phones out again during class, they will be taken, and can be picked up at the end of the day. In a Physical Education setting, cell phones shouldn’t be an issue and they wouldn’t be allowed in my class.
References
Kolb, L. (2006, November). From Toy to Tool. Learning & Leading with Technology,
Allen, J., & Kolb, L. (2007-08, December). Should Cell Phones Be Banned From Classrooms? Learning & Leading with Technology,
Karen Craig
EDU 533W Micaela Boesche
Before reading the assignment, my opinion on this topic was yes, cell phones should be banned in the classroom. I saw points on both sides of the argument I hadn’t thought of. One point mentioned by Liz Kolb in the Point/Counterpoint article is that “students are unaware of cell phone etiquette. Allowing cell phones to become learning tools will give teachers the opportunity to introduce appropriate cell phone etiquette to students…” I agree that students need to learn etiquette. When my 13 year old niece stayed with us for the weekend, it was hard to maintain eye contact with her when we spoke because she could not stop looking at her phone. However I think etiquette can be taught without having to implement the phone as a learning tool. Liz brings up some good points on how cell phones could be used in the classroom; including “knowledge construction, data collection, and collaborative communication…”and her arguments have swayed me just slightly in that I think “banned” may be too strong a word. A school-wide ban I believe would be asking too much, especially in a High School. Perhaps it could be left up to each individual teacher. If a teacher has a project which has a need for this technology, and the parents and students are on board, then he or she should be able to allow it.
Although Kolb makes some good arguments, I agree more with Josh Allen. He mentions “…the fact that students would use them for purposes other than educational…” What is to keep them from reading and replying to texts while using the phone for an “educational tool” during class? Also, as Allen mentions, “the goal of an educational setting should be to give students the proper tools to succeed once they step into society...employers are much more concerned about a student’s computing and critical thinking skills than their phone skills.” Students do not need to be taught how to use their phones. I am pretty sure they have that mastered.
If I become a Health teacher in Middle School or High School, cell phones would not be allowed. They use their phones constantly before school, between classes, at lunch, on the bus, at home, all weekend. They are a distraction, phone use is disrespectful to the teacher, and students should be able to exercise some self discipline and put their phones away during class. I realize I will be in for an awakening when I become a teacher, so I may need to be flexible. One idea would be to have some sort of phone or “texting fix” at some point during class. Perhaps at the beginning of class when I am taking roll. Let them get it out of their system, take care of any last minute messages, then the phones need to be put away. If I see the phones out again during class, they will be taken, and can be picked up at the end of the day. In a Physical Education setting, cell phones shouldn’t be an issue and they wouldn’t be allowed in my class.
References
Kolb, L. (2006, November). From Toy to Tool. Learning & Leading with Technology,
Allen, J., & Kolb, L. (2007-08, December). Should Cell Phones Be Banned From Classrooms? Learning & Leading with Technology,
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying
Karen Craig
EDU 533W Micaela Boesche
According to Kelley R. Taylor, “cyberbullying is the use of Internet technology to inflict emotional harm through repeated and deliberate harassment, threats, and intimidation.” I have not had experience with cyberbullying. I have seen what I would consider cyberbullying on a website here in Vancouver geared toward the wrestling community. Sadly, these were parents harassing wrestlers and coaches. As I learned from Joe Navarro’s Brochure Presentation, this would be considered cyber-harassment because of adult involvement.
I think a big problem in dealing with cyberbullies is being able to motivate the victims to come forward. They are afraid of retaliation, being embarrassed, and even being ashamed. Although I have not been a victim of cyberbullying, I remember being bullied in elementary school. There is no way I would have told a teacher. In my mind, it would have only gotten worse. So it needs to be caught early, before it escalates. Teach victims how to deal with it and avoid fueling the fire. I really like what Julie Norrander states in her power point presentation about the the 3 D’s: Don’t Respond, Don’t Interact, Don’t Engage.
Another problem schools face is legal issues. Kelley R. Taylor states; “…..the websites and emails that are involved are usually accessed and generated by students off-campus. In those instances, school officials are limited in what, if anything, they can do to punish such behavior.” The only way the school can get involved is when the abuse carries over to the school and causes a disturbance.
After reading Should Schools Regulate Offsite Online Behavior, I found myself agreeing more with Lynn Wietecha. She says that while it is reasonable for the school to provide as much information as possible to families to help bring awareness, and to monitor use of the home computer, “Schools have no control over what students do at home and on privately owned computers.” Wietecha adds that schools have so many other responsibilities that seem to grow in number with an “ever-shrinking budget”, can we realistically add “cyber patrol” to that list.
As far as tackling cyberbullying in my classroom, I will try to offer a safe opportunity for victims to come forward. I really liked Aika’s presentation in Dr. Lichau’s class, which had an example of a classroom mailbox where students could express their thoughts. Even if it is anonymous, it might help to tell someone. I could then discuss issues submitted (cyberbullying and other issues that may come up) with the whole class, perhaps we can come up with possible solutions together. Another idea could be having students sign contracts. This would be more effective as a school-wide program, with strength in numbers. It worked when I was in high school when administrators were trying to deal with drinking and smoking. Students surprisingly came together and I think the contracts really helped to curb some of the behavior. Suddenly, it wasn’t so cool anymore.
References
Willard, N. E., & Wietecha, L. (2007, March). Should Schools Regulate Offsite Online Behavior? Learning & Leading with Technology,
Taylor, Esq., K. R. (2008, May). Cyberbullying: Is There Anything Schools Can Do? Principal Leadership,
Karen Craig
EDU 533W Micaela Boesche
According to Kelley R. Taylor, “cyberbullying is the use of Internet technology to inflict emotional harm through repeated and deliberate harassment, threats, and intimidation.” I have not had experience with cyberbullying. I have seen what I would consider cyberbullying on a website here in Vancouver geared toward the wrestling community. Sadly, these were parents harassing wrestlers and coaches. As I learned from Joe Navarro’s Brochure Presentation, this would be considered cyber-harassment because of adult involvement.
I think a big problem in dealing with cyberbullies is being able to motivate the victims to come forward. They are afraid of retaliation, being embarrassed, and even being ashamed. Although I have not been a victim of cyberbullying, I remember being bullied in elementary school. There is no way I would have told a teacher. In my mind, it would have only gotten worse. So it needs to be caught early, before it escalates. Teach victims how to deal with it and avoid fueling the fire. I really like what Julie Norrander states in her power point presentation about the the 3 D’s: Don’t Respond, Don’t Interact, Don’t Engage.
Another problem schools face is legal issues. Kelley R. Taylor states; “…..the websites and emails that are involved are usually accessed and generated by students off-campus. In those instances, school officials are limited in what, if anything, they can do to punish such behavior.” The only way the school can get involved is when the abuse carries over to the school and causes a disturbance.
After reading Should Schools Regulate Offsite Online Behavior, I found myself agreeing more with Lynn Wietecha. She says that while it is reasonable for the school to provide as much information as possible to families to help bring awareness, and to monitor use of the home computer, “Schools have no control over what students do at home and on privately owned computers.” Wietecha adds that schools have so many other responsibilities that seem to grow in number with an “ever-shrinking budget”, can we realistically add “cyber patrol” to that list.
As far as tackling cyberbullying in my classroom, I will try to offer a safe opportunity for victims to come forward. I really liked Aika’s presentation in Dr. Lichau’s class, which had an example of a classroom mailbox where students could express their thoughts. Even if it is anonymous, it might help to tell someone. I could then discuss issues submitted (cyberbullying and other issues that may come up) with the whole class, perhaps we can come up with possible solutions together. Another idea could be having students sign contracts. This would be more effective as a school-wide program, with strength in numbers. It worked when I was in high school when administrators were trying to deal with drinking and smoking. Students surprisingly came together and I think the contracts really helped to curb some of the behavior. Suddenly, it wasn’t so cool anymore.
References
Willard, N. E., & Wietecha, L. (2007, March). Should Schools Regulate Offsite Online Behavior? Learning & Leading with Technology,
Taylor, Esq., K. R. (2008, May). Cyberbullying: Is There Anything Schools Can Do? Principal Leadership,
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Teachers and Social Networking
Teachers and Social Networking
Karen Craig
EDU 533W Micaela Boesche
Here are the 3 main links that came up when I entered my maiden name, Wiedmann, into google:
http://www.washingtontrack.com/1989girlsaaa.htm
http://www.reunionswithclass.com/asp/public_report.asp?rid=1247&tid=3
http://www.kentmeridiantrack.com/Track/State_Results.htm
When I entered my married name into www.pipl.com, only my address and phone number appeared. I was surprised to see how many Karen Craig’s there are right here in Vancouver. Now I know why I get AARP mail every other day. There is nothing embarrassing I need to change on the internet regarding my background or what students might find out about me that I know of. This may be one positive of being a “Digital Immigrant”; I haven’t been on the internet enough to reveal anything embarrassing!
I do think teachers should be held accountable as far as community standards and how they portray their personal lives on the internet. What a teacher does on his or her own personal time is their own business. There may be a student or parent out there who does not agree with those choices. A teacher needs to realize this, and unless they are ready to deal with that kind of conflict, they should not broadcast these choices on the internet. They are personal.
I believe the same holds true for speech. A teacher should be held to community standards. However, I have a hard time with teachers losing their jobs or being exploited over some information found about them from their past. People change, and their views change as they mature. They may have made some unwise decisions in their past that they have learned from. This does not include illegal activity, in which case the school would probably already know about that.
The most interesting fact I found in this article is the story of Tamara Hoover, a teacher in Austin Texas. She was reprimanded for nude photos found on her partner’s website, who is a professional photographer (p.683). It appears the photos were professional, and I think she should have won the lawsuit. I am a mother with children in elementary school, and my initial reaction to this story would be that it would not bother me. On the other hand, I would choose, as a teacher, not to post this type of photography if it meant my students or parents may find it.
I think a teacher should use social networking, both for their students and for their personal lives. I really don’t foresee any problems in having to protect myself. I am a somewhat private person, and have always used my Facebook just to share some photos or drop a note to someone I haven’t talk to in awhile. I don’t see that changing, unless I set up a network for my students, in which case it will be all school related.
References
Carter, H. L., Foulger, T. S., & Dutton Ewbank, A. (2008, May). Have You Googled Your Teacher Lately? Teachers' Use of Social Networking Sites. Phi Delta Kappan, 89, 681- 685.
Karen Craig
EDU 533W Micaela Boesche
Here are the 3 main links that came up when I entered my maiden name, Wiedmann, into google:
http://www.washingtontrack.com/1989girlsaaa.htm
http://www.reunionswithclass.com/asp/public_report.asp?rid=1247&tid=3
http://www.kentmeridiantrack.com/Track/State_Results.htm
When I entered my married name into www.pipl.com, only my address and phone number appeared. I was surprised to see how many Karen Craig’s there are right here in Vancouver. Now I know why I get AARP mail every other day. There is nothing embarrassing I need to change on the internet regarding my background or what students might find out about me that I know of. This may be one positive of being a “Digital Immigrant”; I haven’t been on the internet enough to reveal anything embarrassing!
I do think teachers should be held accountable as far as community standards and how they portray their personal lives on the internet. What a teacher does on his or her own personal time is their own business. There may be a student or parent out there who does not agree with those choices. A teacher needs to realize this, and unless they are ready to deal with that kind of conflict, they should not broadcast these choices on the internet. They are personal.
I believe the same holds true for speech. A teacher should be held to community standards. However, I have a hard time with teachers losing their jobs or being exploited over some information found about them from their past. People change, and their views change as they mature. They may have made some unwise decisions in their past that they have learned from. This does not include illegal activity, in which case the school would probably already know about that.
The most interesting fact I found in this article is the story of Tamara Hoover, a teacher in Austin Texas. She was reprimanded for nude photos found on her partner’s website, who is a professional photographer (p.683). It appears the photos were professional, and I think she should have won the lawsuit. I am a mother with children in elementary school, and my initial reaction to this story would be that it would not bother me. On the other hand, I would choose, as a teacher, not to post this type of photography if it meant my students or parents may find it.
I think a teacher should use social networking, both for their students and for their personal lives. I really don’t foresee any problems in having to protect myself. I am a somewhat private person, and have always used my Facebook just to share some photos or drop a note to someone I haven’t talk to in awhile. I don’t see that changing, unless I set up a network for my students, in which case it will be all school related.
References
Carter, H. L., Foulger, T. S., & Dutton Ewbank, A. (2008, May). Have You Googled Your Teacher Lately? Teachers' Use of Social Networking Sites. Phi Delta Kappan, 89, 681- 685.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Marc Prensky reflection
Marc Prensky Reaction
October 21, 2009
Karen Craig
Because of my age I am a Digital Immigrant, and actually pretty close to an alien, if I compare myself to kids in school today. I don’t have an iphone, I don’t play video games, and up until a few days ago, I had never written a blog. Not because I think these are bad things, I just don’t have the desire to do them. Marc Prensky says in Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants, “Those of us who are Digital immigrants can, and should, laugh at ourselves and our ‘accent’”. I am not ashamed of my accent, and I do laugh at it, right along with my kids.
Thinking back to my high school days, the only technology I remember was the simulator cars in driver’s education. Technology was not part of my learning at all. In college, I had a typewriter! We had designated times to show up to Mac Court to register for our classes by waiting in long lines. I know this information dates me, but it doesn’t mean I “have very little appreciation for these new skills that the Natives have acquired and perfected through years of interaction and practice”, as Pensky states on page 2.
What I have no appreciation for is the destructiveness brought on by hackers, predators, identity thieves, and just mean spirited people on the internet. I know that thieves, predators, and mean spirited people are out walking the streets too, I just feel like it will be more difficult for me to protect my kids from it when they are on the computer.
Prensky says on page 6 of Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants, “So if Digital Immigrant educators really want to reach Digital Natives – i.e. all their students – they will have to change”. I ask; does everything have to change? Does everything have to be digital? How about PE? Do I need to come up with a computer game that will teach my students the bench press?
No doubt these kids’ lives are different from the way I grew up, and we need this technology and absolutely should use it in the classroom as much as possible. But does every curriculum have to be turned into a game?
October 21, 2009
Karen Craig
Because of my age I am a Digital Immigrant, and actually pretty close to an alien, if I compare myself to kids in school today. I don’t have an iphone, I don’t play video games, and up until a few days ago, I had never written a blog. Not because I think these are bad things, I just don’t have the desire to do them. Marc Prensky says in Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants, “Those of us who are Digital immigrants can, and should, laugh at ourselves and our ‘accent’”. I am not ashamed of my accent, and I do laugh at it, right along with my kids.
Thinking back to my high school days, the only technology I remember was the simulator cars in driver’s education. Technology was not part of my learning at all. In college, I had a typewriter! We had designated times to show up to Mac Court to register for our classes by waiting in long lines. I know this information dates me, but it doesn’t mean I “have very little appreciation for these new skills that the Natives have acquired and perfected through years of interaction and practice”, as Pensky states on page 2.
What I have no appreciation for is the destructiveness brought on by hackers, predators, identity thieves, and just mean spirited people on the internet. I know that thieves, predators, and mean spirited people are out walking the streets too, I just feel like it will be more difficult for me to protect my kids from it when they are on the computer.
Prensky says on page 6 of Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants, “So if Digital Immigrant educators really want to reach Digital Natives – i.e. all their students – they will have to change”. I ask; does everything have to change? Does everything have to be digital? How about PE? Do I need to come up with a computer game that will teach my students the bench press?
No doubt these kids’ lives are different from the way I grew up, and we need this technology and absolutely should use it in the classroom as much as possible. But does every curriculum have to be turned into a game?
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