Enagagement Acitivity 3: Reflection on Prensky's ideas

1. What is your belief and understanding of the nature of today's learners? Do they really "demand" technology in the classroom?

I don't believe todays learner, "demands" technology in the classroom, however, I do believe we "demand" a certain standard or level of technology in the classroom today.

For example, from my experience as an adult learner, completeing Paramedical studies, we utilised technology to impart knowledge via a laptop with a power point presentation using a projector.
The expectation was to have a clear goal and a set of objectives to discuss and finally a  practical demonstration to "assess" what we had learnt.

We certainly didn't expect our "educator" to pull out a blackboard with different coloured chalk to write everything down as we went.
To clarify any questions that came up, thru the lesson, he wrote them down on a whiteboard, encouraging us to do the same using numerous whiteboard markers.

I believe I could use technology as an adjunct to learning.  An extra tool from the tool kit, that we could utilise, depending on the profiling of our students.

Some student profiling answers might include:

• todays learner are used to receiving lots of information really fast
• function best when they are networking, commenting, socialising, playing games, searching for things they like on the internet.
• prefer this to serious, step by step work
• can multitask, such as watch t.v or listen to music while studying.
• they use and are familiar with all types of media, ipads, ipods, iphones, notebooks and what they can do.

On the other hand, I certainly encourage my sons to explore"old" technologies, such as reading a library book, that has that distinct "library book" smell, writing in a card for a birthday or a special event, creating artworks with crayons, pens and textural products to influence the senses.  To stimulate all parts of the brain, not just digital technologies.  When was the last time we received a letter in the mail, a long while ago for me!

I also don't encourage TV watching or video games, when we could be exploring nature and the great outdoors.  I like to encourage practical living skills, such as sweeping, cleaning up, washing up etc.  I believe by embracing these skills first, it enhances a natural ability to learn how to relate to each other.  To develop relationships and connect, to socialise and acknowledge others, to remember how to hold a pen and write, rather than text ot type.

Technology is fantastic and I do appreciate the wonderful things it can do, to make my life easier.  To be skilfull in this area, will benefit the class but I still feel it doesnt replace all other pedagogy techniques.   A certain standard of technology is expected but not demanded.

2. Is there substance to the "engage or enrage" argument?


I believe there is some substance to the "engage or enrage" debate.  The article written by Prensky, depicted three types of student.  The one that excelled at school, the one who just got by and the one who bombed out!  It felt the reason this occurred was because the student felt disengaged in the classroom.  When a student realsied they could do somehting and they were good at it, they felt engaged.  By engaging in the lesson, they were utilising their creative side but this was few and far in between.

We are being challenged to engage the students at their grade level, with the curriculum, that doesn't seem to match where there at in their "other life".  The students are engaging in online web games, internet browsing, buying things, talking to friends, networking, just to name a few.
 encounter, fly and dont work alone.
The web games encourage the student to explore, create, build, perform, challenge, master,  encounter, fly and dont work alone.

A sharp contrast to what their being taught today.  I can still remember teachers back in highschool and University who were so uninspiring, so boring, void of any stimulating creativity, it was painful.
I switched off immediately and instantly felt frustrated, confined and controlled.  What a waste of time!!  Im sure a lot of students feel this way and opt out of being in that environment.  I hope to be able to engagemy students thru various usages of technology, to draw out their ideas, creativity, thoughts, reflections and help them master the various levels of challenges to achieve their goals.  When it's "worth it" to them, they will master their goals and engage.