I'm sure a lot of the students in our class will say they are digital natives. Most of us have grown up with technology, computers being one of the biggest sources of technology that we use. I too would consider myself a digital native but I also would say I am a bit of a digital addict as well. I have not only grown up using technology and have become fairly knowledgeable about using new technology but I am also very dependent on it as well. I am constantly using my computer and the Internet for school purposes but also for social purposes (facebook, pinterest, skype). Not to mention my reliance on my iPhone. I can not even begin to imagine life without these things. However, while my reliance on technology may seem like an awful addition I think technology can serve a lot of useful purposes. It keeps people connected and allows for things like homework and grading to be readily available and easy to work with. It is also very useful in the classroom (smartboards, ipads, laptops). Overall I would say that our world is constantly evolving and technology holds a firm place in our lives and I think sometime in the very near future we will all be digital natives.
As for the way Tompkin's talks about emergent literacy for children on pages 118 and 119, I definitely can see some similarities between digital literacy and literacy for children. During both emergent stages, knowledge and understanding of how words work is being gained and children are learning the skills needed to work effectively for both. Another similarity is that teachers have the ability and knowledge to teach the children the skills necessary for both types of emergent literacy. However, one big difference that I see is that digital literacy is easier for students to pick up on. There are more ways to learn using the various technologies that are available to us and students seem to pick up on them more than the traditional reading and writing forms. I think this is because technology is meant to make things easier for us and it engages us more as well so the young emergent children are able to master digital skills faster and without much struggle. For example, in my placement I have noticed that most of the students who are still working on their letters have a much easier time working on the smart board or on a laptop. Using these technologies they enjoy themselves while learning instead of doing the traditional worksheet type activities.
I also consider myself a “digital native.” In regards to questions that may be raised in response to the ideas of technology and literacy, I think there are many! I think the biggest question is how can the culture of schooling match the culture of the students’ technology/ digital age? I believe there are subtle changes being made in some circumstances, and major changes being made by small groups of educators, but for the most part, I believe most schools and teachers are “comfortable” with traditional forms of schooling. Does this work? I am willing to argue, it does not work. Students today are not the same as “yesterday” students. Technology is an integral part of their life, and as Chelsey mentioned, students pick up on various technologies and digital literacies easier and quicker than “traditional reading and writing forms.” So why don’t we try to reach students at their level?
ReplyDeleteI think questions regarding technology use and its influence on education are crucial to ask in terms of society as well. In thinking about society and education, it seems obvious to me that the system of education is an integral part of society as it works to prepare young minds for participation in society. If we don’t ask questions regarding how technology affects education, to me, that is attempting to ignore how large of a part technology plays in society.
Like Chelsey and Jessie, I also consider myself to be a digital native. Growing up in the generation when it became standard to have a computer in your home and use them frequently in school, I became comfortable with technology at an early age. My parents found multiple educational games both online and in the store that they loaded our computer with and did with me throughout my elementary years. In middle school, we had weekly class meetings in the computer lab to practice our typing speed and accuracy and to learn how to use programs like Microsoft Word and Powerpoint. I have attempted to stay up to date with the latest technologies and have at least a basic understanding of how to use them, although I have to admit that I've fallen behind a little bit in recent years. Before I begin my internship, it is my goal to get caught up and make sure I have a good grasp on how to make the most of all the technology that will be available to myself and my students, maybe even up to the level of what could be considered a digital explorer.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to questions that I still have about the use of technology in the classroom, my only concern is in how we will be able to maintain the importance of written work and physical copies of texts and worksheets. I think it is vital that we teach our students to take advantage of all the technology that is available to them, but I also believe it would be a mistake to teach them to rely on it completely. I guess what I struggle with when it comes to this topic is figuring out how to maintain a balance between students using technology and also doing the work on their own.