Changing the way we deliver our
instruction can make a difference on how successful our students can become. For
many, that is not an easy task to tackle. The fear of something foreign and
taking a risk puts a barrier between something so familiar and something new.
Currently technology is transforming the way we learn, work, and function on a
daily basis. For many educators it is evident that they are unfamiliar with
much of the new technology that is altering the way we operate. In order to
implement these new changes into classrooms we are going to have to cater to
the digital immigrants to build their confidence and get them on board. If we
want to lure these participants into the technology world we are going to have
to make some things more digital immigrant friendly. I believe there are two
ways we can accomplish this task. Check out Marc Prensky's video below on why we need to make a few changes to how we deliver our instruction.
The first way I feel the district could
help achieve this task is through the hiring of an educational technologist who
will work side-by-side with those who struggle to incorporate these new changes
into their classroom. This is the person who is a digital native and very
familiar with teaching others how to apply today’s technology in a classroom.
They can be on hand to assist with implementing a learning management system,
creating microlectures, teaching students how to access these types of courses,
and ultimately making those people more confident in their capabilities of
incorporating technology. We need to understand that technology is here to stay
and is going to continue to grow and be more complex, so we must cater to those
digital immigrants in order to get them on board.
Secondly, once that next step toward
technology implementation has been completed simple modifications within the
learning management systems can be made to meet the needs of each classroom
based on the students and the teachers. Initially this may seem like a ton of
work, but it will pay off in the long run. One of the first things that I would
like to see incorporated are microlectures. Once teachers gain an understanding
of how to use these in the classroom and feel comfortable using them, lessons
would gradually shift from teacher-led to student-led assignments. This is
critical because it allows students to tap into their critical thinking skills
and allows for them to apply their own thinking to each assignment.
Finally, to create passions and empathy
between students and instructors, I think it is important to establish that
sympathetic understanding of what the digital immigrants are going through. We
are taught every day that we have to be able to work with all kinds of
individuals. “Unfortunately, no matter how much the Immigrants may wish it, it
is highly unlikely the Digital Natives will go backwards.” I’m not saying that
we should take a step backward, instead I’m arguing that I think we can become
better students, teachers, etc. if we work together to achieve our goals. Who
knows what could be if the two learn to work together. Sometimes a little bit
of old and a little bit of new can combine to make something extraordinary. If
we want digital immigrants to get on board we have to help them join the push
toward being more of a digital native.
Works Cited:
Prensky, M. (2011). Digital Natives,
Digital Immigrants. Retrieved April 15, 2015, from
http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky - Digital Natives, Digital
Immigrants - Part1.pdf
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