Genea Bruner's Page

I cannot even begin to tell you how very much I learned by reading these two articles and watching the videos. We all acknowledge that education has changed dramatically in even the last 5 years but we so often tend to blame the kids instead of looking at solutions. We are digital immigrants trying to educate digital natives. Our students are "native" speakers of technology; they know the digital langauge of computers; they spend many hours exploring the Internet and engaging themselves in video games; they recieve and process information faster than ever and are wonderful multi-taskers. And those of us who are teaching these digital natives are digtial immigrants- we still have a foot in the past and are learning the digital world. Our kids are not going to change, should not be expected to change, and for the most part cannot change. Their brains have physically adapted to the digital age and are processing information differently and cannot go backwards. For this reason, teachers must learn to teach in the style 21st century kids are capable of learning. Content knowledge remains the same; however, methods of delivery are different. Digital native methodologies for all subjects at all levels do exist and students are capable of assisting and guiding teachers. For example, in my own setting at Olathe Northwest High School, we have an e-Communications program. I cannot even begin to tell you the incredible knowlege those students have and I as well as many teachers in my building often just let them know what we need and they go to work producing a digital product. Our principal hired a staff that is very open to learning and using technology and we do house two 21st centuury programs. As the "Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants" article says at the end we need to "Just Do It!"
Even though I am in a very advanced 21st century high school for my area, I was fascinated by the "A Day in the Life of Web 2.0" article!!! I love the concept of teacher blogs each week so students, parents, colleagues, administrators, and superintendents can view and use the information to further expand the education of students and keep the community informed. We use blackboard a lot, but I like the blogging concept much better. As a principal, I would love to require this each week as a replacement for lesson plans so I can see what is going on in my classrooms. As a teacher, I would love to see what my colleagues are doing so I can expand on the concepts with my students and thus create a "community" of learners where cross-curricular teaching is a simple concept. As a counselor, weekly blogs would help me effectively communicate and support both students and parents. As a superintendent, I would be able to effectively support my teachers and students and keep my community informed. I also fully support the Wiki tool and search engines. I know a little bit of this is going on in my own high school but this article made me realize we are only on the tip of the iceberg. I plan to use the article as an idea for my principal when I do my Directed Field Experience next fall. I am sorry to say I am a digital immigrant who is working her way to being a digital native so I can be the most effective counselor possible! Thank you for sharing these very worthwhile resources. I am looking forward to continueing to expand my computer knowledge throughout this course.