"People are scared of change.” This was the topic of our priest’s homily today. As I sat in church listening to him speak, I began reflecting on the topic of this week’s readings, videos, blog entry, and my school year. I quickly came to the conclusion that this message is absolutely true in many aspects of our lives.
A few years ago, I was given a new set of graphing calculators to use in my classroom. I was really excited to use the new technology with my students, so I decided to spend a day exploring the devices with my students. I was quickly surprised with the reaction of my students. The freshmen students were very comfortable trying out the new calculator. They helped out one another, myself included, and explored everything that the new device had to offer. When I gave the calculators out to my sophomore classes, I was greeted by a little more opposition. Students wanted to know the benefits of using the new technology, and were somewhat more hesitant to try to explore the calculators on their own. By the end of the class period, I was able to convince the majority of the students that the graphing calculators were actually much better than the ones we were previously using in the classroom. The last class that I had to introduce the graphing calculators to was my juniors. I would have never guessed that the students would have reacted in much of the same way as my mother did when we bought her a Kindle Fire for her birthday. The students felt that the new calculators were unnecessary and difficult to use. The majority of the students were almost fearful of the new devices. They did not want to explore on their own, and needed to be guided through the entire lesson. By the end of the hour, many students still felt that they preferred their old graphing calculators. Toward the end of the school year, most students were using the new technology, but there were still some students who refused to let go of the old devices.
Looking back at this graphing calculator experience, I can now say that I may have personally experienced the crossover from the Millennial Generation to the Generation Edge of students. Within one day, I was able to compare one aspect of technology to three different age levels, and see three vastly different ways of thinking. Marc Prensky categorizes people as “Digital Natives," referring to those born into the digital age of technology, and “Digital Immigrants,” those who have experienced the digital change over the past years. My freshmen students were acting with many of the characteristics of both the Generation Edgers and Digital Natives. Whereas, the sophomores and juniors definitely displayed characteristics of the Digital Immigrants.
As a mother of three Generation Edge children, I am fascinated watching them use technology on a daily basis. In our home we have been blessed with a plethora of technology. My own children know how to use an iPhone, iTouch, iPad, laptop, Kindle Fire, digital handheld games, and other gaming systems. Much of what they know about these devices has been taught to them by trial and error. They do not require any manuals for learning how to use any of these technologies, nor do they become frightened with the idea of using something new. However, they do become excited and embrace the idea of experiencing the latest and greatest technologies that are available to them without hesitation. Knowing that these generational differences are occurring before our eyes is important. Marc Prensky thinks that the biggest problem facing education is the teachers of older generations. I can only speak from my own personal experiences, but I know that it is important to stay up-to-date with the latest and greatest technologies because ultimately our students need to be engaged in order to learn. This is no different than ever before. However, the methods of engagement are changing. I believe that ultimately teachers want what is best for their students, and they will use whatever means necessary in order to achieve this goal.
A few years ago, I was given a new set of graphing calculators to use in my classroom. I was really excited to use the new technology with my students, so I decided to spend a day exploring the devices with my students. I was quickly surprised with the reaction of my students. The freshmen students were very comfortable trying out the new calculator. They helped out one another, myself included, and explored everything that the new device had to offer. When I gave the calculators out to my sophomore classes, I was greeted by a little more opposition. Students wanted to know the benefits of using the new technology, and were somewhat more hesitant to try to explore the calculators on their own. By the end of the class period, I was able to convince the majority of the students that the graphing calculators were actually much better than the ones we were previously using in the classroom. The last class that I had to introduce the graphing calculators to was my juniors. I would have never guessed that the students would have reacted in much of the same way as my mother did when we bought her a Kindle Fire for her birthday. The students felt that the new calculators were unnecessary and difficult to use. The majority of the students were almost fearful of the new devices. They did not want to explore on their own, and needed to be guided through the entire lesson. By the end of the hour, many students still felt that they preferred their old graphing calculators. Toward the end of the school year, most students were using the new technology, but there were still some students who refused to let go of the old devices.
Looking back at this graphing calculator experience, I can now say that I may have personally experienced the crossover from the Millennial Generation to the Generation Edge of students. Within one day, I was able to compare one aspect of technology to three different age levels, and see three vastly different ways of thinking. Marc Prensky categorizes people as “Digital Natives," referring to those born into the digital age of technology, and “Digital Immigrants,” those who have experienced the digital change over the past years. My freshmen students were acting with many of the characteristics of both the Generation Edgers and Digital Natives. Whereas, the sophomores and juniors definitely displayed characteristics of the Digital Immigrants.
As a mother of three Generation Edge children, I am fascinated watching them use technology on a daily basis. In our home we have been blessed with a plethora of technology. My own children know how to use an iPhone, iTouch, iPad, laptop, Kindle Fire, digital handheld games, and other gaming systems. Much of what they know about these devices has been taught to them by trial and error. They do not require any manuals for learning how to use any of these technologies, nor do they become frightened with the idea of using something new. However, they do become excited and embrace the idea of experiencing the latest and greatest technologies that are available to them without hesitation. Knowing that these generational differences are occurring before our eyes is important. Marc Prensky thinks that the biggest problem facing education is the teachers of older generations. I can only speak from my own personal experiences, but I know that it is important to stay up-to-date with the latest and greatest technologies because ultimately our students need to be engaged in order to learn. This is no different than ever before. However, the methods of engagement are changing. I believe that ultimately teachers want what is best for their students, and they will use whatever means necessary in order to achieve this goal.
Change is scary, but also inevitable. We need to learn from the past, embrace the new, and look forward to the future. If we can help pass this message on to our colleagues and youth, we could all benefit from what is to come and realize that we are not in this alone. Note, I will print this blog first to edit, before it is uploaded. Some habits are just too hard to break!
