"Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants"

In Marc Prensky’s article “Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants”, he argues that the plasticity of the brain DOES change after the age of three, which is contrary to the previous beliefs of scientists. Because of this change, educators must re-think how to educate students who have been cognitively trained in a much different fashion than others before them. The evidence is apparent when observing today’s technology “Natives.” Prensky feels that we are “…at the very beginning of understanding and applying brain plasticity research.” Presnky believes that in order to properly educate today’s young people, technology that has helped program their brains in a non-linear way, should be used to fulfill their educational needs. If our schools continue to teach in a linear way of thinking, it could actually do more harm than good.

1. “Research by social psychologist shows that people who grow up in different cultures do not just think about different things, they actually think differently.”
2. “…strong evidence that one’s thinking patterns change depending on one’s experiences.”
3. “…brains that undergo different developmental experiences develop differently.”
4. “…children are furiously retraining their brains in even newer ways, many of which are antithetical to our older ways of thinking.”
5. “Children raised with the computer think differently that the rest of us. They develop hypertext minds…it’s as though their cognitive structures were parallel, not sequential.”
6. “Linear thought processes that dominate educational systems now can actually retard learning for brains developed through game and Web-surfing processes on the computer.”
7. “The cognitive differences of the Digital Natives cry out for new approaches to education with a better fit.”

Overall, I agree with Prensky’s viewpoint. I am in a classroom where technology is the focus in education and I am constantly amazed with what the students are capable of. They can work on multi-level projects and thrive using technology with their work. Regular assessments show that they are retaining the information provided in class and I believe it is because we are using a medium that they are comfortable with. It is clear that when a school uses technology in a successful, educational manner, it is beneficial to today’s students.

Anthro Tech Assessment

Technology is heavily emphasized in the Petersburg School District. It is encouraged on all levels and is expected to be used by both students and teachers. The school has already made a decision to make technology in the classroom one of its top priorities. A few years ago, the school made an enormous agreement to supply every student and faculty member with their own MacBook. The district pushes to stay as up-to-date as possible on new ideas and uses in this department.


I have seen wondrous things since I began student teaching at PHS concerning technology and its uses within the school. I’ve learned a tremendous amount in the past month and I am scrambling to catch up with the rest of the faculty. The only thing that I've noticed, that could use tweaking, would be to hire on another person in the tech field who can go around and personally assist teachers with any tech questions they may have. The two people who are the tech coordinators now seem to be overwhelmed.



Tia's Tech Assessment of Petersburg High School.

Futuring

School Train and Fox Becomes a Better Person –

Both Fox Becomes a Better Person and School Train are excellent examples of how technology can be used for school projects. After getting passed the “wow” of the technology, it is clear that the students who did these assignments met the requirements for the work. As an educator, a person must look past the technology and analyze the content. A clear rubric should be set up for the work so both the students and teacher know how to grade/assess the project fairly without being overwhelmed be the technology aspect.

The students of Molalla Elementary who made School Train proved their understanding of a metaphor by comparing education to a train. Hannah’s does a wonderful job using creative story telling to tell Fox Becomes a Better Person. She demonstrates creativity, clear voice, good organization, and appropriate use of technology.

Epic 2015 –

Ideas from a “thought criminal”…

If technology and the exchange of information becomes as advanced as the video Epic 2015 portrays it, physical classrooms could become obsolete in the near future. With online schools and other forms of distance education, we need to start thinking of our students as clientele and keep up with the rapidly growing tech world. To do this we need to focus on technology by making it relevant in our classrooms. Not only will this aid in preparing students for life outside of school but will also help maintain the student population. If all assignments, tests, grades and lectures are available online, the same classes that students show up for in person can be offered to home school children as well. By providing this service it would increase the student population AND funding for the school.

Sabrina Journey –

Sabrina's theme “Do I Belong Here” goes well with her full-circle presentation. She continues to remind the viewer of her theme as she chronologically presents how her life has come to where it is and how her own question “Do I Belong Here” is answered. She uses good visuals and audio to show her journey in life.

With students, I would encourage this outline for a podcast. It’s clear, concise, and interesting. It would be a great way for them to individually document the beginning of their journey as they are about to head out into the world to search for where they belong. My students would enjoy an assignment like this and it would give them an opportunity to record their own history. Along with this project, I would encourage background music that represents who they are.