5362+Reflection

"Our students have changed radically. Today's students are no longer the people our educational system was designed to teach" (Presky, 2001). EDLD 5362 focused on the difference between generations. Current school children are considered "Digital Natives" while adults are considered "Digital Immigrants" (2001). The students grow up knowing how to use technology and are immersed in it from the time they can speak. Many adults are having to catch up on things that their 5 year old can do, but they cannot. It reminds me of learning a new language. It is easier for children to learn because their brains are still forming and growing. It is much more difficult for an adult to learn a new language once they have a fully developed brain. Future generations will be doing things that make no sense to me at all regarding technology. It would be easy to get frustrated trying to teach using methods and technologies that are totally unfamiliar. The point of this class was to overcome the divide in a way that benefits students and increases learning. Educators must not make excuses and only focus on stories that began with "when I was in school...". That type of thinking only encourages stagnation and an environment of excuses. 5362 pointed out strategies and ideas to combat the divide.

During the class we also looked at many different networks that were available as teacher resources. We looked at video, smart board, and audio sites that provided many options for lessons that had already been created. This class showed us that we are not alone as educators, teachers around the world can use the same lessons and share tools using technology. While technology and education are changing and becoming far more dynamic than ever before, it is comforting to know that information can be shared so easily and it is free in many cases. TeacherRated was one of the websites used for this collaboration and according to Moore, students can access the the site wirelessly which mean they can be anywhere with WiFi and access information (Moore, R., 2006).

"Business community members, parents, government officials, and educators are concerned that schools are not preparing students for life, work and learning after high school" (Williamson, J. & Redish, T., 2009). Schools must fill the gap where schooling ends and mandatory job skills begin (Williamson, J., et. al). Teachers must use every resource available to increase learning. Online tools, software programs, and different uses for hardware must become intertwined with curriculum at levels of education. Even though teachers might not be totally comfortable with various technologies, they must still make every effort to become familiar with tools that will benefit our students. As a technology leader, I must be willing to continue learning myself and share strategies and tools that others will find helpful. I feel that I am personally in between the immigrants and natives. I did not really start using the internet until I was in high school, but I learned how to type in middle school. Many teachers today had to learn how to type on really old computers or electric typewriters. They should not be punished for the gap, but as educational professionals, it is necessary for teachers to strive for new understanding in technology integration.

References

Moore, R.J. (2006, August). The five best accelerators in school. //School Administrator//, 63.7, p.8.

Prensky, M. (2001, October). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. //On the Horizon//, 9.5, p. 1. Retrieved from, []

Williamson, J. & Redish, T. (2009). //ISTE’s technology facilitation and leadership standards: What every K-12 leader should know and be able to do//. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education. 