“Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants”
Change Vs. Continuity
In his article Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants, Marc Prensky claims that, “Our students have changed radically,” and that, “today’s students are no longer the people our educational system was designed to teach.” I agree with both statements as this has been the case throughout the history of our educational system. Effective educators have constantly made changes to their teaching methods in order to cater to the specific needs of their pupils. At each stage in our history, schools have addressed the needs of students by providing the technological advances available at the time. From creating lessons that required a typewriter at one point to demanding the use of PowerPoint presentations in the current school system. Due to the rapid changes in the technological advances in the last decade, schools are constantly trying to keep up with these changes with little success. It is true that a major change needs to take place in the current system, but it is not the first time that a technological reform was undertaken in the school system.
According to Prensky, “today’s students K through college represent the first generation to grow up with this new technology.” As a result, the present generation of students is comfortable with technology and is more receptive when technology is used. For this reason, it is vital that current and future educators adapt the idea of using the most modern technology in their classroom to a certain extent. According to Dr. Bruce D. Perry, “Different kinds of experiences lead to different brain structure.” While it is vital for teachers to be open to using modern technology and teaching techniques, it is not necessary to alter lesson plans completely towards digital medias.
Contrary to what Prensky argues, one could attribute the issue of “Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants” to the generational gap between teachers and students. The existence of an immigrant and a native will always be there when it comes to comparing any generational preferences and habits. Being a part of an older generation, teachers will always be seen as immigrants when entering their students’ world. This issue has always existed and the rapid advance in technology in the recent years has come to amplify this eternal matter. It is a reality that “our Digital Immigrant instructors, who speak an outdated language, are struggling to teach a population that speaks an entirely new language,” (Prensky, 2001), but with or without the technological language students and teachers seldom speak the same language and often live in different worlds.
Just as Prensky suggested, contemporary educators need to do what early educators have done in order to be effective teachers. They need to be “learning new ways to do old stuff” (Prensky, 2001). I agree that anyone who wants to be an effective teacher in the 21st century needs to adapt “materials to the language of Digital Natives” (Prensky, 2001). In general teachers need to keep their lessons and teaching methods relevant to their pupils’ world in order to contribute to their academic success. I agree with Prensky in that there is a need for teacher to become part of this digital age in order to be successful educators.
To conclude; I would argue that it would actually be harmful to students if we moved entirely to digital media to teach our students. Sure, we can use technology to enhance our lessons and engage our students here and there. Technology can be a great tool. However, it could also be a hindrance. If we show too many PowerPoint, too many movies, students will lose their ability to open and read a book or to take notes. Technology makes teachers’ and students’ lives easier at times and makes learning convenient. However, what are we willing to sacrifice for convenience?
Welcome Students
- Math Conference in San Diego
Welcome! I’m Mr.Lopez, and I’m looking forward to being your math teacher. I hope you had a nice summer break and are looking forward to learning new math skills. I believe effort is the most important component of success. My successful students consistently attend class, complete their homework and ask questions.
After graduating from Hueneme High School, I decided to take classes at Oxnard Community College. In 2005 I moved to Northern California, where I received my B.A. in Mathematics from Sonoma State University in 2009. Then I left for Coachella Valley, were I taught Math for one year. Coachella was a bit of a shock, but it was a fun place to live. After a year in the valley I decided to move back to Oxnard.
Welcome Parents
Dear Parents, Welcome to my classroom blog. My name is Jose Lopez and I am a Mathematics teacher. It’s school time again! I am very happy to have your child in my classroom. I believe that by all of us working together we can make this a very successful year. I consider it of prime importance that you be an active part of your child’s education.
You are invited to visit the school, call or e-mail me any time that you have a question concerning your child’s progress. You are also more than welcome to leave your comments, suggestions, or questions here in my blog.
I consider it a great privilege and responsibility to be your child’s teacher this year, and look forward to meeting each of you.
Sincerely,
Mr. Lopez
