1 A few words from a digital native...

Of course as an American in 2015, I believe computers are very important to education and such. I feel like I have relied on technology for my entire career as a student, to the point where I’m almost lost without access to a computer, calculator or other form of technology during school. Throughout chapters 1 & 2, I saw a couple consistent points concerning the idea that students and teachers alike should become more skilled in computer/technology literacy in order to be successful in their careers. I definitely agree with the textbook in that sense because with technology becoming so commonly used on multiple platforms, not learning new ways to use new technology would actually set students and teachers back a significant amount from others who are more technologically inclined.

I plan to use computers in my classroom in the future quite a bit. I loved being able to use the computer at school and work at my own pace, soaking up every bit of information I came across and I hope my students will enjoy using computers as much as I did. I plan to teach my students the basics of Microsoft and allow them to use Powerpoint and Publisher to make presentations and brochures as part of our class activities. I also plan to use internet sources like Kahoot (courtesy of Ms. Cates), iKnowThat and others in order to allow my students to play educational games and such. I’m hoping this class gives me other ideas about how to use computers in my classroom effectively.

Digital natives are people who have grown up only knowing a world with technology. I agree with the classifications of “digital natives” and “digital immigrants.” Some of the main differences I’ve seen between the way I, a digital native, and my teachers, digital immigrants, include our manner of troubleshooting. As a digital native, before I even know what the problem with my computer, tablet, or phone is, I’ve already begun to try and solve it. Watching teachers with a problem is always nerve-wracking because sometimes the start clicking random buttons and other times they call in reinforcements.. even when it turns out to be nothing serious. There’s a visible difference when a new piece of technology enters my life as compared to new tech entering digital immigrants’ lives. I’m likely to pick it up and just start applying what I already know in order to figure it out while my immigrant counterparts are more likely to pick up an instruction manual or have a tech-savvy person nearby for questions. It’s difficult for me to picture what it’ll be like to be the uninformed person when new technology trumps what we have now and my students are more informed than I am. I feel like the differences won’t be as noticeable in the future because I at least have a background in technology unlike some of my teachers now.