David Goerzen's Page

Being a science teacher, I feel that I should have a certain understanding of how to apply technology into my classroom. I have always felt that I MOSTLY know how to navigate through the vast amounts of technology available to me as an educator, and pick out what could possibly be used in the classroom. It's great to read articles and see videos about new and different ways to integrate technology into my classroom. I have finally begun to understand why it is so important not just to include technology in the classroom, but to have students USING technology in the classroom. Slowly but surely I have also realized that, as much as I want to deny it, I am a 'digital immigrant.' Hopefully not for much longer.

After watching the videos and reading the articles provided, my whole mindset about what technology is, and how to use it in the classroom, has shifted. I have also taken a big step back to see if I am making it possible for students in my classroom to be successful. I have fully underestimated my student's abilities. In reality, most of my students probably know more about setting up my lab equipment, or working with applications on my computer, than I do.

The story by Marc Prensky about "Digital Natives" and "Digital Immigrants" was the most eye opening for me, to say the least. I have always run my classrooom like a Digital Immigrant, not thinking about how different students are from myself. I did not stop to think that things I'm not comfortable working with may come extremely easy to my students. It's always been a struggle for me to understand how students could concentrate on their homework if I let them listen to their iPods. After reading this article I understand how it IS possible for them, and in all likelihood, helpful to them. I agree with Prensky when he implies that educators must adjust to the students and not the other way around. As much as teachers like to be organized and logical (at least speaking for myself), there are definitely times when that approach is boring and outdated to students.

This article makes me excited about learning as much as possible during this course, and implementing everything I can to help change my current methodology. Mainly, I would like to develop more activity-based, or game-based, lessons that are shorter and more intense, being sure to use any type of technology I can get my hands on. I am also currently in the process of creating my own class web page. I plan to focus on using it to blog about what's going on in class, display assignments from day to day, and link podcasts or videos for students who missed class. I feel that this will be a huge step in closing the communication gap with parents and keeping students who miss class updated, or keeping students who are in class interested. I guess a long term goal for me would be to eventually reach a working system similar to the "A Day in the life of Web 2.0" article.

We must all move forward for the sake of education, and for the sake of keeping up with other nations. And like Prensky states, "...if Digital Immigrants really want to reach Digital Natives...they have to change."