Immigrant vs. Native

How does technology fit into the classroom? 

In tonight's class we looked at whether technology really fits into the classroom. Technology is changing at such a fast pace many teachers including myself are at risk of being left behind. I am a digital native. In my lifetime cellphones and the internet have become the norm. I use a computer everyday for work, leisure, and school. Although I am classified as a digital native now, my status may change five years from now because the rapid rate that technology continues to change and evolve, it is difficult to keep up. 

This constant growth of technology makes it very difficult for educators to use technology in the classroom, the students are more advanced than the teachers in much of today's technology. In the Digital Immigrant and Native reading we looked at how to bridge the gap between the two parties, native and immigrant, so that educators can engage students in the academic content while not overwhelming the digitally immigrant teachers. I feel it is important we as educators use technology to provide our students with immediate access to information because students are use to the fast responses they receive from ipads, televisions, the internets, and cellphones. 

Yes, the immediate access to information creates new challenges for educators because it forces teachers to master new technological tools but it can make teaching easier as well. I provides teachers a fast way to keep students interested in course content, it provides new strategies to guide learning, taking stress of teachers. The use of technology in the classroom only requires teachers to ensure the information students are retaining is accurate. Google, AOL, Yahoo, MSN, Wikipedia, ect have made access to information instant but not always correct. I feel that not only is important to use technology to engage our students in academic content in a way that grasps their attention, but to ensure our students are receiving the right information. Technology can provide a huge helping hand to educators despite the digital gap but it does need to be monitored. 


Have a great weekend everyone!!