Me: Digital Immigrant

The In-Between Generation Meets the Digital Natives

I think I am the "in-between" generation--somewhere between the typewriter and the iPhone. I believe I am called a “digital immigrant.” I am desperately trying to learn new technologies, and to understand how they relate to what teachers need to support learning. I'm having an Etherpad conversation about learning these new technologies with some colleagues at my school, and it always comes down to time. Time that we have committed elsewhere, for learning that was taught from the teacher to the students. It was one delivery method, very linear, with lots of paper, lots of handwriting and in my opinion, quite boring.

Now, don’t get me wrong here, I realize that sometimes we need to “go back to basics,” but seriously, is that how adults like to learn? What is it? It is somehow learning the skills to teach these new digital media children, or digital natives. It’s about self-study, self-direction, independent learning infused with collaboration. It’s about asking, combining, respecting and daring. It’s about teaching them to think and discern. It is about using the technology we have, and not being afraid of it. It is about dropping some old things and bringing in some new things, even if we aren’t “perfect teachers” of it.

It is about what sixteen year old Kyle Hutzler wrote, “Many of you, I am sure, are familiar with

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the quotation from Thomas Edison to the effect that movies would come to replace textbooks (and by implication teachers), as you are with the similar claims made about radios, television, and the Internet. Let me say unequivocally that while I believe in technology's promise in education, there is no computer program, no podcast, no book that I would not willingly replace with a great teacher. Technology enables learning, but it does not teach.”

There, he said it; we aren’t replaceable by technology and new digital media. I say we come out of our comfort zone and give it a go. I say let’s ask them, the students. “How did you do that?” “What is the most interesting way for you to learn?” “What can we do together to help you remember?” As awkward as this may feel to veteran educators, the children are counting on us to be their guidance.

Fumbling or not, we can make a difference.The children, the digital natives, don't need our perfection, they need our direction. New digital media is here. Let's figure it out together, and make learning a collaborative and engaging activity which encourages creativity and innovation, for all.