Digital Native All The Way :)

After reading the short article about Digital Denizens and looking at each type, I am without a doubt a digital native. I have grown up with having either my own computer or using the families computer, I actually cannot remember ever not having one within my family. Even when I went to school there were computers to use, from elementary to high school and now college. I have grown up around technology and because of this I rely on them to do every day tasks. Aside from computers, I also have used or are currently using CD players, iPods, and cell phones. Some of the defining moments with my use of technology was my 6th grade typing class. Everyday we would sit at the computer and learn how to type. I know that my parents did not take a class like this because computers were not as widely used when they were my age. However, a 6th grade typing class proves how important technology is in everyday life because schools are spending time teaching children this. Another prominent moment with the use of technology was 8th grade computer class. During the entire semester we learned how to use Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel, and surf the internet. Our grade was based on how well we knew how to use these different technologies. My world has been surrounded by the use of technology and because of that, I would consider myself a digital native.

Digital literacy is something that I played around with but I was never forced to use it. When using the term digital literacy I am referring to using technology to learn and expand a person's knowledge. In the past, I have only ever used technology to write papers or make Powerpoints for different classes; very rarely have I actually ever used technology to learn. Is this aspect, I would consider myself an emergent learner of digital literacy. However, after watching the short clip in class with all the children saying "engage me", I know that I will need to step it up when it comes to digital literacy if I want to be a successful teacher. In my placement last year the children were able to play on the computers for about 30 minutes while in their computer class. However, it was not just any game they wanted; the children played games that were teaching them about language arts concepts such as rhyming and parts of speech. I was astonished at how engaged they were while playing these games. The placement that I am in now never uses technology, they actually don't even have a computer class. Everything is done by paper and pencil, textbook, and the whiteboard. Sometimes the teachers will bring out the overhead projector. I feel like the students in my placement are missing out on a different learning technique, however it also seems that the paper and pencil technique is working just fine. So this is where I get torn, why bring in technology when paper and pencil learning are still working? Some students and districts do not have enough money for all of the fancy technology that is out there. Does that mean their students are losing out on learning through technology?

In one of my placements a few years ago a young boy from China, who was also LD, was struggling with English and learning the main concepts. The teacher allowed this student to use the computer for most written work because it allowed him to spell check and change words quickly. Within a month or so the young boy was speaking significantly better English and I think that because he was allowed to use the computer, it helped him emerge as a speaker of English. ELL students who struggle with English should be allowed to use technology because it will allow them to practice their English skills faster and better. Teachers and future educators should not be afraid of using technology in the classroom. It has many positive benefits for the students, while at the same time engaging them.