Digital Natives vs. Digital Immigrants

I am a digital immigrant. My own children and students are digital natives. That said, I have embraced technology usage, so I understand the frustration that students can often feel, sitting in classrooms listening to lectures when they would rather be using an iPad or their smart phone. I experience many of the same frustrations during professional development and meetings!! I find that my students are very creative and like to learn through self-discovery and collaborative, technology rich projects, versus the traditional styles of learning. The key, I believe, is to get student buy-in on the process, and give them some control over the learning and the process. Today’s students are highly independent and motivated, when engaged in ways that they are comfortable with! What are your thoughts??

2 members like this

Comment by Sheila Matzke on July 22, 2012 at 9:30pm: I am also a digital immigrant with children who are digital natives. I grew up with typewriters and they are growing up with computers, IPhones, etc. I am constantly going to them with questions when it comes to computers.

We as educators must grasp the digital generation and get 'caught up' if we are going to teach the next generation. I am taking a technology course and plan to seek more opportunities to learn. It must be done or we are short-changing our students. We must also communicate with our students when planning lessons in order to involve technology in a way that will both showcase their skills and help them learn new ones.

The current way is the digital way and we must evolve and become digital natives.

S Matzke

Comment by Sheila Matzke on July 22, 2012 at 9:51pm: I have spent time reviewing various training videos on this website and know I will use many more in the future.

Discovery Education Network is a tool all educators should investigate. Amazing opportunities for classroom enrichment! As I become aquainted with more and more sites, I can organize them using Symbaloo. What wonderful teaching tools at your fingertips to use in the classroom. I spent an entire afternoon viewing a fraction of what is offered here.

Classroom 2.0 is quickly becoming a favorite tool for me to become less of a digital immigrant :)