Week 2

Week 2 Reflection

Wow!!  After catching up on the weekly readings, I am now wondering just how much of a Digital Immigrant I am?  I thought I may have been actively trying to keep up, but I feel that I now know less than I ever did – possibly even have a physically different brain (Prensky, 2001).  The statement given by Presnky says it all “Our students have changed radically. Today’s students are no longer the people our educational system was designed to teach.”  On the flip side, I am excited to delve into the depths of new technologies and pedagogies to enhance creative learning adventures for this new generation we are entrusted with.

Readings

It is certainly important that we as teachers implement the TPACK framework to be effective in integrating technology into the classroom.  It allows us as educators to review how we incorporate technologies from simply being “add-ons” to being “creatively designed or structured” integrations, specific to classroom contexts.  Being able to successfully implement this will not guarantee student engagement.  Prensky (2009) suggests that engagement is multifaceted and one core aspect is allowing students to make frequent and meaningful decisions throughout their learning activities.  In doing this, Head (2008) implies that we cannot allow our students to simply cut-and-paste.  But rather, Children need to transform content.  Unfortunately it appears that we are not appropriately educating them how to do this.

What seems a little scary to me is learning through gaming.  I am sure there will be lots of benefits.  As I have found through the 4001Eps discussion board, there are mixed views on the implications and side effect vs benefits and outcomes.  I am still at the point of it being a tool that I need to further investigate and reflect upon.   What will be best for my students?  Am I still holding some biased experiences and judgements?

References

Head, B. (2008).  Generation Cut and Paste. APN Education Media, Sydney.

 Koehler, M. J., & Mishra, P. (2009). What is technological pedagogical content knowledge? Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, 9(1), 60-70.

Presnky, M. (2001) Digital Native, Digital Immigrants: On the Horizon. NCB University Press, Vol. 9 No. 5.