Reflection : Digital Native versus Digital Immigrants

In today’s classroom, a lot of teachers are adopting the concept of using technology in classroom. I am one of them teachers that advocate the usage of technology in lessons.  My name is Alititai L. Sagapolutele and I am High School teacher teaching History. 

I believe that technology is an essential tool in the classroom.  My goal as a teacher is to get students fully equip with the knowledge based with the 21^st century skills.  To achieve this goal, I have to utilize the tools available in today’s generation within my classroom. For instance, computers, cell-phone, tablets and other assorted devices.   

According to Presky in “ Digital  Natives- Digital Immigrants”,   Digital Immigrant instructors are struggling in teaching students (Digital Natives) because of  a whole different language they are speaking. I agree with Presky, you can never succeed in teaching a group of students that were born during the age of digital. I also can relate to this stage because during my high school years we tend to have teachers that are Digital immigrant where they are comfortable just only the textbook but not seeking to these new devices available. Now that I am teacher, I tend utilize means of technology so that my students are well equip for the outside world.

   The author also draws the differences between “Digital Immigrants and Digital Natives. An example of a Digital Native is an individual using of the email for sharing ideas then physically meet.  In contrary with Digital Immigrant an individual that is more into physically meet with everyone and share ideas. Since our students are Digital Natives we should conduct trainings for Digital Immigrants so that the students are engage within the lessons that are taught.  So we can prepare them for college and to obtain a job.

In the article, Partnership for 21^st century skills , it emphasizes on the skills that students should acquire in order to face the outside world (2009). The skills that were mentioned are critical thinking, problem solving and communication. In today's society these skills are highly recommend within your resume in order to get a job and a hold a college degree. 

The You tubes videos provided , “ Teaching in High Tech and Teaching in the 21^st century skills” shows dynamics of how we should go about in teaching students.  Like it stated in one of the youtube videos we are no longer the source of knowledge, we are the filter ( Teaching in the 21^st century-Video).  In which I support the concept because there are limitless information that are provided by using technology. Our job is to show them on to search good quality information and use it for reference. 

We as teachers should have that mind frame that the world is moving forward. In order for us to be effective and have students succeed in life, we should teach them the skills of the 21^st century by using the available technology gadgets.