How can teachers more closely connect learning to the experiences of the digital natives who are their students?
The students in classrooms today have grown up with the use of instant, interactive computers and wireless devices and are know as the digital natives. This gives some teachers a greater disadvantage because they still trying to learn how to interact with the technology that is available to them. Teaching has taken on a whole new meaning since the use of technology is being added to the traditional classroom.
There are two important implications for teachers regarding the way the use technology:
- Students Perspectives: Students through the use of technology have been able to develop ideas and talents that they would not have in a traditional learning environment. The have learned skills such as how to research using the internet, games and multimedia. These skills are all necessary in today's workforce.
- Teachers Actions:Teachers have the most difficult task when it comes to planning and creating a new learning environment. Most teachers have only been exposed to book learning. Most students are now what we call tactical learns because they can develop there skills only but interacting with the material they are learning. Therefore, teachers have to integrate new technology into their classroom.
Tech Resources for Teachers
There are many resources site that can be used by teachers to help with the planning and implementation of technology in their classrooms. There are sites that will help with creative classroom management, lesson planning and applications that both teachers and students can explore for different subject topics. Many students learn from playing games and being allowed to create with the use of technology.
- Teachers Actions:Teachers have the most difficult task when it comes to planning and creating a new learning environment. Most teachers have only been exposed to book learning. Most students are now what we call tactical learns because they can develop there skills only but interacting with the material they are learning. Therefore, teachers have to integrate new technology into their classroom.
Tech Resources for Teachers
Students and teachers have a digital disconnect due to the lack on skills needed to provide technology based classroom programs by teachers. Many teachers find it difficult to keep up with the ever changing demands of technology. Students are no longer considered individuals who attend school in a classroom environment. Many students today do not even step into a classroom because they are virtual learners. Many teachers have become facilitators and are no longer required to physically teach a subject. Many school, colleges and universities have developed programs that solely focus on the need for online based courses. I have not only experienced online course work but my daughter is part of the online virtual school world. She is in the seventh grade and attends Florida Virtual School. She was having a difficult time in school and I decided when she was in the sixth grade to take her out of the public school system and give her a chance to learn at her own pace. She is doing great in all her subjects. She is in a special middle school Cambridge Science, Math and Reading program for advanced learners. I was worried about it at first; because I wanted her to have social interaction with other children. However, she still interacts with other child during her after school activities. Technology has given my daughter the ability to grow as a student and develop her knowledge and skills at a comfortable pace for her.
Online learning is not for everyone - though there is the push to expose that opportunity to all students - but it is a popular and vital alternative to traditional learning for students as low as elementary years. Thus, one is not necessarily better than another - it is more about creating a good match between learner and method. :)
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