As a 'digital immigrant' teacher and parent I have concerns about the impact of today's wired world on today's youth. I understand and appreciate (to the extent of my current knowledge) the empowerment, creative potential, reach, speed, and wealth of information and knowledge available to those who participate in today's digital landscape. However, as stated by Mark Prensky in Adopt and Adapt: Shaping Tech for the Classroom, as with most digital immigrants I retain my pre-digital accent (and values) despite solitary and group forays (successful and unsuccessful) with my students and children into today's digital landscape.
So what are my concerns?
1. Although one of the powers of today's technology is in connecting people around the world, I see it isolating people (families and friends) in the same room. The attractive interface of the technology draws people in so that they lose touch with their surroundings and the people in it.
2. Most of today's technologies seem addictive. People are 'obsessed with' their technology of choice (gaming, face book, chatting) and lose track of time while engaged and become distracted thinking about their preferred technology of choice when not engaged.
3. Age appropriateness of content made available with today's tools. As a parent and educator in having these tools in your home and classroom, How can you ensure the appropriateness of the content of each game, each website, each video? The task seems impossible as the tools become more pervasive and information available through these tools grows exponentially.
4. Cost. Again as a parent and educator having the latest technological tools available to our children and students is expensive. And as with all marketed goods, anything we buy is soon outdated and needs to be updated with a new purchase or upgrade.
5. Time. There are only so many hours in the day. Given the addictive nature of many of these technologies I worry that what is being lost can be found on my list of "What will never be wrong..." below.
I don't agree with what Mark Prensky describes happening in many US schools, "locking down machines, refusing to allow students to access email...block(ing)instant messaging, cell phones, cell phone cameras, unfilitered Internet access, Wikipedia..." but I am cautious and don't believe we need to jump wholeheartedly as teachers or parents behind something just because of its pervasiveness in society. New is not always better and old is not always wrong.
What will never be wrong...
1. Reading books together as a family each night
2. Talking to your children (and husband or wife) about their day when they come home each day
3. Making a family meal together
4. Creating a birthday card from scratch
5. Climbing trees with your friends
Feel free to add to either list if you feel like me...
Image URL.
I'm not sure the point is about what's right or what's wrong.
ReplyDeleteI think it's about finding ways to engage students differently, ensuring that our classrooms reflect societal changes, and learning how to learn with technology because we all want our students to be successful and independent learners.
It's not about sacrificing everything in favor of something else. It's about rethinking old paradigms and potentially integrating new ideas. As we discussed on Saturday, this isn't about all or nothing - it's about being aware, learning to adapt and be flexible and ensuring that our students have the experience of successful, appropriate, authentic and meaningful learning with the tools they use for "fun."
I agree it's not about right and wrong. I don't so much believe in right and wrong as I do in shades of gray. Although I gave my list of 'What will never be wrong...' I did not intend for others to infer from the dichotomy of the two lists that I feel technology is 'wrong'. I don't. However, I have concerns about a large influx of the digital tools students use for 'fun' and about following societal changes or 'trends' in the classroom. From my experience as a teacher and adult (parent, aunt, friend, etc.) I have seen too many incidences of individuals isolated within the home and classroom from those closest to them (those in the same room with them) when connected to their digital tools. I have seen people addicted and impacted in a negative way emotionally by modern digital tools. They have lost time, money, and time outside the home unconnected to the digital world (time in nature) and been introduced to mature age-inappropriate content. I do see the benefits of technology in learning and personal connectivity and creativity -- that's why I'm taking this course -- but I also see the pitfalls and the benefits in many 'old' ways of learning and establishing relationships and communities. I guess I'm worried that people will value the speed, convenience, breadth and attractiveness of digital information (and relationships) to the detriment of our old ways of knowing, experiencing and engaging in a nondigital world. I'm not sure current (past) experiences, knowledge and skills won't be sacrificed (not just in the classroom but in society as a whole) as we move into the coming digital age. For me, there are certain things I will continue to promote as I don't want to leave them behind or forget them, to me they are invaluable and irreplaceable...a hardcover book, a handwritten letter, and meeting people face to face.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen! I very much enjoyed your post. I think these reflections are so important. It makes sense that as kids are increasingly comfortable with these new technologies that we focus not only on using them for authentic learning as mscofino mentions, but also encouraging and nurturing the precious experiences on your list.
ReplyDeleteIt reminded me of something I read about actress Jenna Fischer having a healthy living challenge and part of it was to not use her blackberry for a day. I thought it was pretty interesting. Here's the link: http://www.self.com/magazine/2009/02/jenna-fischers-new-healthy-habits
(There's probably a better way to put the link into the comment, but hey, I'm still learning ;)
Hi Patience! I'm glad you enjoyed the post and I love your categorization of my list of experiences that I wish upon all children as precious moments to be nurtured. I was curious to read about the healthy living challenge you mentioned; however, the link took me to a page that mentioned that Jenna had taken on the healthy life challenge from the editors of Self magazine, but provided no more detail than that, no further link. If you have a different link I would be interested in reading more.
ReplyDelete