As teachers, many of us have seem numerous changes throughout the years. Often it is the same idea but with a different name such as constructivism, inquiry based learning, and problem based learning. The world is changing at a rapid rate as a result of technology. If you think back to what school was like when you were young, most of you would agree that technology was not a priority. The only technology I remember is the typewriter and the mimeograph machine. Remember that smell! Recess was a time when you were actively involved in games together- moving and doing. We didn't have computers, facebook, wikis, iphones, and other social networking programs. Many of us remember the days before video games. We used our imaginations to entertain ourselves or we made plans to get together. Things have changed and as teachers, we need to change.
In a book that I am currently reading, "Understanding the Digital Generation" by Ian Jukes, Ted McCain, and Lee Crockett they have outlined some of the differences in which students today get and process information. Here is their list:
a. Receiving information quickly from multiple multimedia sources
b. Processing pictures, sounds, color, and video before text
c. Random access to hyperlinked multimedia infomation
d. To network simultaneously with many others
e. Learning "just in time"
f. Instant gratification with immediate and deferred rewards
g. Learning that is relevant, active, instantly useful, and fun
Think about how you teach in relation to how digital natives prefer to learn. I know that I have always taught a unit in a sequential way and provided information in small chunks. We need to think how as teachers, we can use the new technologies to enhance teaching and learning. Many of us are using powerpoints as a way to impart knowledge to our students. I ask you now, how is your powerpoint any different from when you wrote notes on the board? How are students interacting with the knowledge?
We dont receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one else can take for us. Marcel Proust
In a book that I am currently reading, "Understanding the Digital Generation" by Ian Jukes, Ted McCain, and Lee Crockett they have outlined some of the differences in which students today get and process information. Here is their list:
a. Receiving information quickly from multiple multimedia sources
b. Processing pictures, sounds, color, and video before text
c. Random access to hyperlinked multimedia infomation
d. To network simultaneously with many others
e. Learning "just in time"
f. Instant gratification with immediate and deferred rewards
g. Learning that is relevant, active, instantly useful, and fun
Think about how you teach in relation to how digital natives prefer to learn. I know that I have always taught a unit in a sequential way and provided information in small chunks. We need to think how as teachers, we can use the new technologies to enhance teaching and learning. Many of us are using powerpoints as a way to impart knowledge to our students. I ask you now, how is your powerpoint any different from when you wrote notes on the board? How are students interacting with the knowledge?
We dont receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one else can take for us. Marcel Proust