Teaching in the Digital Age

Teaching is becoming a whole new ball game. Many students are coming to the classroom with an extensive background in technology. The digital natives are savvy in many different forms of technology and are craving technology based learning. I myself would say I am a digital native. I grew up in the time of internet and cell phones as well as multi-channel cable TV. I would say that at this point in my teaching career that it has given me a heads up in my building as an educator. People tend to look to me for help utilizing technology in their classrooms. It is something I am comfortable with and I am comfortable using with my students. Whether it be a Smartboard presentation, a software program, or simply an education DVD, I am completely comfortable and happy to present my subject matter while using technology whenever I can. With that said, I would also consider myself a little bit of a Digital Immigrant. I would say this because I can also function quite well without technology in my classroom as well. I think it is more of a skill that I learned rather than a skill I had from birth, though. I had to be taught how to function without technology rather than not having it and learning how to function with it…if that makes ANY sense! Long story short; technology in the classroom is evolving every day. I feel it is my obligation to at least try to get some technology to my students to meet them where they are most comfortable.