Reflection 1

After the readings and our first class, what is something in your practice that needs to change. Is there something that we did or read that sparked something in you.. and made you think - I could be doing something different that would make me more effective in my job, my life, or my role as a student?


I started chewing on this one before the question was really asked. After the first night of class I was thinking that I might not be cut out for this class. I'm not a certified teacher yet, I don't have a traditional classroom and I don't have the experience that others in my class have, so I don't have many ideas to draw upon.

I completed the first reading assignment and found that I agreed with much of what was said. As stated in class, I feel that I'm neither a "digital immigrant" nor am I a "digital native". I am somewhere between the two categories. I think of myself as first generation digital. My children are what I consider "digital natives".

My parents are the "digital immigrants". I speak technology, with an accent because my parents did not speak. I remember life without the technologies we enjoy today, in any form. I did not grow up with personal computer in my home. I learned to type on a typewriter. We did have an Atari in our home and later purchased a Nintendo. I have found uses for technology in my life. I feel that I have embraced it... for the most part.

I tend to think of technology as convenient ways to do things that could be done another way, but not necessary in many ways. Technology makes things easier to do, but doesn't really make it better. Tech is great for gaming, chatting, sending unimportant messages at home and at work, and shopping from the comfort of home.

In order to make myself a more effective educator for "digital natives" I need a paradigm shift. I need to full embrace technology as a teaching tool (as a chalkboard or notebook have been), rather than seeing it as a fun alternative to traditional tasks. I find that I consider technology in the classroom as a novelty that is fun to have, but not necessary.

For example, I see Hoot Course as a way to invite students to use twitter to participate in a discussion because it "cool" and convenient, but not necessary. Instead, I should learn to use it because my students are already proficient at discussion in that type of forum. If you have a student that is left-handed, you don't force him/her to use their right hand because that's how you do it.

It will be a difficult process. One in which I will have to eliminate many of my prejudices against technology and let go of some of my "old-school" ideas. I say some because I do feel that writing is still necessary. Language has not evolved to the point that text-style writing is considered appropriate in an academic assignment.

I hope to be able to complete the paradigm shift by the time I finish my masters work.