What is the Digital Divide?

             Learning about the digital divide really makes me reflect on my own teaching.  I know technology is important, but I sometimes find it hard to integrate into my daily classroom lessons and activities.  This is definitely something I will focus on as I plan my future lessons.  I am fortunate to have access to a computer lab in my building.  My students have also benefited by having two classroom computers.  Looking at this week’s activity, I was very intimidated when I first read the voicethread information and what we were expected to do with it.  After getting onto the program and getting the access needed to complete my slide, I realized that is was not as difficult as I had anticipated.  My students have been working on research relating to our Social Studies for the past two weeks.  I am hopeful that with these types of activities, I will have more technology-based ideas for how my students can report on what they are learning.

Please listen to our class discussion explaining our understanding of the Digital Divide:

https://voicethread.com/share/2642666/

Digital Immigrants

Even though I do realize I am one of the Digital Immigrants who is far behind the times with technology, I have recognized that children growing up now have so much more technology than I did as a child.  I remember getting our family’s first computer when I was in the fourth grade.  Now, as an adult, I have always had a computer in my home along with any technology I have on my phone.    

I thought it was interesting to read that children are spending more time online than in front of the television (Solomon & Schrum, 2007)).  I am sure this number will continue to grow as our technology continues to improve and expand.  As educators, we need to recognize this and find ways to engage students using these new technologies.

In the Prensky reading, he discusses how natives will most likely be doing more dating and may even find their spouses online (Prensky, 2006).  This made me smile thinking about my single friends who are still concerned about putting themselves out there on these dating sites.  I honestly admit I would have the same reservations as my friends. 

Our decision makers for education really need to read about what the students need and want for their education.  We hear about other countries and how their students seem to be leading the way in many areas of learning.  This makes so much sense when we look at how our classrooms are set up and what we are expected to be teaching.  While reading what students want, and obviously need to be competitive in life, I started thinking of all of the time that is blocked out for my teaching of the various subjects and how I need to find more ways to integrate technology into their learning on a weekly basis.

References

Solomon, Gwen, and Lynne Schrum. "Students and learning." Web 2.0: new tools, new schools. Eugene, Or.: International Society for Technology in Education, 2007. 25-44. Print.

Prensky, M. (2006). The emerging online life of a digital native. "Don't bother me Mom, I'm learning!": how computer and video games are preparing your kids for twenty-first century success and how you can help! (pp.40-51). St. Paul, Minn.: Paragon House.

Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants Article

As I am learning more about Digital Natives vs. Digital Immigrants I came across this article that really helped me understand these two terms.  Please view the article through the link below.

Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants by Marc Prensky