Digital Natives a.k.a The Youth of Today
Being a middle of the range ‘technophobe’ I can’t say that I am bursting with enthusiasm about bringing more and more technology into the classroom. However, I won’t bury my head in the sand and hope that it will go away. Instead, I realise I must get out of my comfort zone and embrace the technology if I’m going to become the effective teacher I aim to be.
Image: ‘EliRosa 075‘
www.flickr.com/photos/30864080@N00/349730058
This generation practically oozes technology out of their pores! Therefore, surely they will be more interested in an ICT based lesson finding their own information and designing their own webpage as opposed to yet another chalk and talk session followed by a worksheet. Isn’t that what student engagement is all about? I’d rather overcome my small fear of technology than have bored and disruptive students.
The Digital Natives are only going to grow in numbers, whilst the Digital Immigrants will eventually fade. It seems there’s never been a better time to take on technology in the classroom.
Source: Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives, digital immigrants. On the Horizon, 9(5), 1–2.
August 8th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
I totally agree with you. I feel I am in a similar position. We must move beyond our “comfort zones” and embrace what is available to assist our students in their learning needs. Engagement is the key – and “chalk and talk” no longer achieves this. There will always be a time lag between the technological prowess of students and teachers and the availabilities of school facilities.