How can technology be helpful for teaching and for learning
(technology-enhanced learning)?
The American educator American Prensky introduced the term "digital natives" for those learners who have been brought up with technology. Teachers have to alter their way of teaching to suit digital natives.
Mark Prensky (America) on Digital Natives:
- students who are living in the 21st century world --> adapt lessons to their needs
Who are our students?
- they grow up with technology
--> they are part of the digital generation and they want to be part of this digital generation
- "emerging online life of the digital native"
How do we engage (with) them?
- educators need to be aware of this online life
- use of 21st century technology
- interactive lessons (collaborative work instead of lectures)
vs.
Sue Bennett (Australia) on Digital Natives:
- digital natives = experts in using technology?
- idea of the digital native is misleading or even dangerous
- only a small percentage of young people fits the basic idea of digital natives
(most are not experts)
- use of technology depends on family background
--> having the know-how of how to use it well (e.g. digital literacy)
(some children have an advantage at school --> digital inequality)
- technology not only useful for entertainment, but also for education
What can we do?
- reject digital native idea as a dangerous one (difference between children)
- creative activities are powerful to improve children's ability to use technology appropriately and to build digital literacy
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What do I think about Prensky's idea of digital natives?
I agree with Prensky's general idea of digital natives. Nowadays, children grow up with technology and although some families may decide to keep technology away from their children during the first years of their lives or they may not have as much access to technology for other reasons, children will very early discover their technological environment. The new generations are, beyond doubt, part of the digital generation and this has a significant impact on their upbringing.
Do I consider myself to be a digital native? Why? What impact might this have on my teaching?
I do not consider myself to be a digital native, because I was not surrounded by or confronted with much technology during my childhood. The emergence of modern technology started some years later. At primary school, we had one computer lesson a week in which we learned how to use some basic programmes. During my time at high school, the school made more and more use of new technology and the classrooms started to be equipped with new tools such as Smartboards. However, the media competence of teachers and students was not very developed back then.
I am more used to using technology than the older generation and I am very curious about the diverse new tools and their significance for my future teaching context. Working with technology and new tools sometimes seems to be a challenge, but having experienced the advantages of modern technology for teaching contexts will encourage me to use a variety of different tools for my teaching.
How might the teaching that you have experienced in your education be appropriate or not appropriate for the students you will be teaching?
As mentioned above, during my time as a high school student, we just started to use modern technologies in the classrooms and there were not as many tools as there are today. Nevertheless, I have experienced the advantages of using technology in teaching contexts and for this reason, I believe it is appropriate to make use of media to foster students' motivation and support learning processes.
Digital native debate
In my opinion, Sue Bennett is right in saying that there is some sort of digital inequality which makes it inappropriate to talk about digital natives (referring to the new generation of students). Although most students grow up in a digital environment, not every child has enough access to modern technological tools and not enough support for developing media competencies and digital literacy.
Nevertheless, as Mark Prensky pointed out, we all live in the 21st century world that is marked by the extensive use of technology. As a result, all children are immersed in the digital world and will, sooner or later, be in contact with technology and learn how to use it from peers, their teachers etc.
What makes a good teacher?
- open-mindedness
- social skills such as empathy
- CPD based on constant (self-) reflection
What makes a good learner?
- open-mindedness
- passion
- motivation
Learning theories
- objectivism & behaviourism (cf. Skinner)
- cognitivism (cf. Bloom) & constructivism
--> Bloom's taxonomy:
- six categories of thinking:
remember, understand, apply;
analyse, evaluate, design (higher thinking processes)
How different media and technologies can be used in teaching
- a variety of different tools should be used in the classroom
(selection of tools that the students use for specific purposes and that may also be helpful for their future professional development)
- prevent digital inequality
(all students need to have access to these tools and they should have the knowledge for being able to use the tools appropriately)
- reflected use of digital tool will make the lessons more appealing and more effective
Listen to my immediate thoughts about the significance of implementing innovative technologies in our future teaching contexts and ways of implementing them:
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