It's Good Stuff

Timm Nelson

undergrounddogs@gmail.com

September 17, 2007

Ed 630

Article Summary 1

Listen to the Natives

By Marc Prensky

Overview:

In this article, Marc Prensky defines “native” as today’s students who are native speakers of technology. He suggests that technology is changing how students learn, and promotes different avenues for teaching. By teaching to student strengths, students will learn more and be better equipped to use their technological skills in their future lives. It is the responsibility of the teachers and administrators to become literate in the technology of the 21^st century in order to use these tools to further educate those who use them on an everyday basis. Prensky also advocates giving students more responsibility to make choices on things that are worthwhile to them. He also suggests that algebra be taught through a computer game. By making it a competition and a fun game, students will master the concepts more efficiently.

Reference Points:

1. Students must be reached electronically, through means such as gaming. In this digital world, methods of engagement and motivation are changing.(11)

2. Kids like to be able to choose their own learning partners. Thanks to technology, students are able to choose any partner in the world. The less force you put on a student, the better. (11)

3. Students should be able to “vote with their attention,” forcing teachers to deliver compelling content. (12)

4. “Students should be learning 21^st century subject matter…” (13)

5. How to figure out to deliver this new kind of education will be difficult because the technology is constantly changing. (13)

6. Teachers and administrators are largely far behind the digital times, making changes to cater to a new kind of student difficult. (13)

Response:

I agree that students enter school with more technological skills than they did in the past. Technology can be a great tool for teachers to use in order to motivate, facilitate student learning, make the content relevant, and interesting. It is a big mistake when teachers refuse to learn about new technologies because they are new and foreign. However, these technologies are simply tools. They may be fun, and amazing, but in themselves, they will not help students achieve the desired results of a class or standard. In addition, although these “natives” are far more technologically literate than the average adult, many students do not have cell phones, ipods, or even home computers. Are we catering to an elite portion of the student body by sending interactive lessons to those with cell phones? It is wise to use the new technology that students are excited about, but lets not fall into one of the ‘Sins of design’ by teaching a novelty lesson just so students can receive material over their phones.

# posted by Timm : 5:28 PM