Mid-Semester Statement
This semester I have been researching what has been termed ‘teen digital culture’ and how teachers can use this phenomenon to improve learning processes and outcomes. The truth is most teachers; especially new graduates like myself are capable of using this technology. The question is, how to use it to best support learning? We do not want a situation of technology for the sake of technology, and technology for edutainment.
Through my practicum experiences this year, I witnessed first-hand the number of hours high school students spend using technologies for communication and entertainment. Rainie(2005) referred to these teenagers as ‘digital natives’ and characterised them by their immersion, attachment and affinity with new communications technology. Prensky (2001) believes our current education system and teaching techniques are not suited to this digital generation. He believes due to thousands of hours of television and video games these student’s brains are wired differently and need to be educated via more engaging and entertaining forms. This is debateable, however their skills and interest in technology are not.
It should be the goal of teachers to harness these skills and the un-paralleled level of interest in these technologies and apply them into education. These ideas were expressed in a blog I posted earlier this year, where I stated, teachers should embrace new technologies, not be scared of them, or have these new technologies forced upon them. Technology should be applied in suitable situations, when they best support learning. This is not a case of technology for the sake of technology. We can use these technologies to engage students to learn, but not as edutainment (Tesoriero 2008).
My viewpoint on this subject has been influenced by the work of Dr Geoff Romeo and Seymour Papert. In 2004 Dr Geoff Romeo made a keynote address to the Australian Computers in Education Conference and said:
“I think we can be especially proud of the fact that computers in education in Australia is, and always has been, more about teaching and learning, rather than technology.”
In this presentation Romeo gave an example of a school, which uses a wealth of technological resources to offer students freedom and choice in their learning. The technology is used to provide an unlimited variety of sources and bring real life problems into the classroom. Students can use these technologies to direct and construct their own learning.
This idea of students constructing their own learning was termed ‘constructionism’ by Seymour Papert(1980). He basically explained it as ‘learning by doing’. Students through the use of computers or other forms of technology are able to construct or build their own learning. A classroom application of a similar nature to this, was discussed in one of my classmate’s blogs (Penny 2008). Joel discusses effective and ineffective ways of using ‘The Australian Stock Exchange Game’ to compliment the Commerce and Business Studies Syllabi. This application if introduced, operated and monitored appropriately can assist students understanding of share market functioning through experiential learning.
I have realised this semester the importance of using technology to compliment and enhance learning. I believe technology can provide a larger source of information, more relevant and real applications and the opportunity for students to direct and construct their own learning.
References
Papert, S. (1980). Constructionism vs. Instructionism. Accessed on 04/10/08 from: http://www.papert.org/articles/const_inst/const_inst1.html
Penny, J. (2008) Does the ASX ‘Share Market Simulation Game’ Fit? Accessed on 06/10/08 from: http://jpenny08.edublogs.org/2008/08/17/does-the-asx-share-market-simulation-game-fit/
Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives, digital immigrants. On the Horizon, 9(5), 1–2.
Rainie, L. (2005) Life online: Teens and technology and the world to come. Speech to annual conference of Public Library Association. 23/3/06. Washington, Pew Internet & American Life.
Romeo, G. (2004). Teaching, learning and technology: Research, Reform, Realise the Potential. Keynote Paper presented at the ACEC 2004 Australian Conference for Computers in Education, Adelaide, Australia.
Tesoriero, S. (2008) ‘Digital Natives’ or Spoilt Brats? Accessed on 02/10/08 from: http://scotttes.edublogs.org/2008/08/05/raine-article/
