The article Teaching the iGeneration really hit home. Technology is taking over many aspects of kids lives and as an adult it is hard to accept and understand how technology has take over the world. The World Wide Web is changing the way that children learning. A student with a smartphone call download any answer to any question before the teacher reaches the board or his/her computer. iGeneration children multi tasks and they do this while emailing, texting, and downloading their favorite music. For the iGeneration the information is a click or a stroke away. The aricle mentioned that small children know more about technology then their parents. Adults are very cautious when dealing with technology but children accept it and see it as their own and limitless in everyday applications. I grew up in the Generation X and I use email, cellphones, labtops, computers and download some music, but my children download music, movies, facebook, twitter, and watch movies online and do who knows what other things online. There are many useful educational applications for technology.
I hear ya Rudy, technology is in our face and eventhough I feel I have a history with the evolution of today's technology I feel my kids have grown up accepting and embracing it more than I ever have. It seems we are on the edge of a giant wave of technological change - for better and for worse. It is up to us to fight the good fight.
Yesterday I took my two year old daughter to Toys R' Us to pick out a toy. I lead her to the doll section and she was immediately drawn to a set of accessories. The set contained toy keys, money, and a cell phone ect. It was really interesting to see my daughter very entertained, over all other items, with the cell phone. My theory is that the i generation is conditioned to be aware of technology at a very early age. It almost seems as though innovative tools and gadgets have replaced dolls and action figures. My ten year old son has been exposed to technology from birth. I can honestly say that he is more advanced than I am when it comes to technology. His experiences with the computer, my ipod, and video games have facilitated his understanding and comprehension for more complicated devices.
Technology is important, but I feel that we need to show our students how they should use technology. Anyone can look up information, but what do we do with it. I tell my students that anyone can memorize content. In the US we try to teach critical thinking and problem solving. We teach them to think. This is something that isn't really taught in other countries throughout the world. Our students are proficient with technology, but I don't think they use it in the correct way. Facebook is a great tool, but I can see how some of my young relatives use it for childish reasons. I have students who can use technology to finish their homework, but instead use technology to distract them from finishing it.
I hear ya Rudy, technology is in our face and eventhough I feel I have a history with the evolution of today's technology I feel my kids have grown up accepting and embracing it more than I ever have. It seems we are on the edge of a giant wave of technological change - for better and for worse. It is up to us to fight the good fight.
ReplyDeleteYesterday I took my two year old daughter to Toys R' Us to pick out a toy. I lead her to the doll section and she was immediately drawn to a set of accessories. The set contained toy keys, money, and a cell phone ect. It was really interesting to see my daughter very entertained, over all other items, with the cell phone. My theory is that the i generation is conditioned to be aware of technology at a very early age. It almost seems as though innovative tools and gadgets have replaced dolls and action figures. My ten year old son has been exposed to technology from birth. I can honestly say that he is more advanced than I am when it comes to technology. His experiences with the computer, my ipod, and video games have facilitated his understanding and comprehension for more complicated devices.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is important, but I feel that we need to show our students how they should use technology. Anyone can look up information, but what do we do with it. I tell my students that anyone can memorize content. In the US we try to teach critical thinking and problem solving. We teach them to think. This is something that isn't really taught in other countries throughout the world. Our students are proficient with technology, but I don't think they use it in the correct way. Facebook is a great tool, but I can see how some of my young relatives use it for childish reasons. I have students who can use technology to finish their homework, but instead use technology to distract them from finishing it.
ReplyDeleteUsing technology for educational purpose is one and using for fun is another, and students need to learn the differences
ReplyDelete