One of things that I still have to wrap my mind around is the idea that for many of my students, technology is natural. To me, a phone is still a phone: it's for phone calls and text messaging. Sometimes I check facebook or look up movie times; but I have yet to fully comprehend the power that some phones have in terms of communication, information, and creative potential. iPads, iPods, smart phones, etc., are not only used regulary by the iGnereation, but the access and availability of technology is so normal that it is expected. That is a new idea to me in terms of technology: expectation. They expect more: more applications, more uses, more speed, more videos, more vivid pictures, more entertainiment, more access to information, more,more more. I still remember the first time I surfed the internet as a sophmore in highschool. I was so excited to look up information on a band I liked (No Doubt). Now my 4 year old nephew uses an iPad with ease, is a regular on pbskids.org and thinks of the few games I have on my severly outdated cell phone are not worth his time.
The iGeneration needs more. Yet their voracious appetitie for the latest technology confuses me. The same generation that can use these techonologies with ease (some of them are so versed they have ofered to help me hack sites if I would really like to use them in class) often claims they can't find my webpage on the faculty coursepages to download notes and assignments. After reading this article, I must admit now I think some may being using the "novice" card in order to get away with not doing my assignments. But I must also admit that although this may be the iGeneration, it does not mean that all of my students have had the same opportunities to access and use these technologies. They may have "knowledge" of the techonology, but that is certainly not the same as "use" of them . They may be able to multitask when it comes to entertainment, but they still need to be trained to use technology in the classroom.
But they still need more. I need to learn how to harness that expectation of technology that they have an incorporate it in the classroom. It will be met with resistance at first- facebook for learning? Videos and posts on academic topics? Creation for the classroom? I can see the eye rolling already. They will struggle and they will fail. I will get upset inside, and try to remain optomistic on the outside. But with training on both sides, this too will become "normal". In fact, it will become expected. And with that, I hope to merge my generation with the iGeneration in the classroom.
You are exactly right when you said, "They may be able to multitask when it comes to entertainment, but they still need to be trained to use technology in the classroom." Perhaps they still need trained when it comes to technology inside the classroom as it is different than just playing around on the computer. One thing that should be considered though is that the amount of training that is needed would be very little because the iGeneration would most likely take less time to comprehend when using a computer.
ReplyDeletethat's why now they call them "Smart Phones", because of the so many things you can do with it, making calls it's just a built-in feature. Now a "cool" phone is determined by what else you can do with it besides making phone calls.
ReplyDeleteYes the iGeneration is constantly looking for and needing more as time goes on. The latest technology has them expecting bigger and better with each passing year, and they are receiving it. I recently upgraded my phone to a Blackberry, and the only thing I can do is make calls. I have no clue as to how the other functions work. Yet my daughter gets my phone and within seconds she uses jsut about every application there is. One thing is for sure, the iGeneration surely needs more help on how to use the technology more wisely when it comes to educational purposes. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comment that just because students know how to use the technology does mean they know how to learn it. It is a critical distinction to make. Great & valid point!
ReplyDeleteI agree, the i generation is about more, more, more and faster, faster, faster. The other day my ten year old son was viewing You Tube videos at home. He was clicking videos and they would upload instantly. I became concerned when one particular video took a little bit more time to load. My son became frustrated and started yelling at the computer saying how old and slow it was. I have noticed the i generation is not very patient and have a hard time focusing for an extended amount of time. I think the montage of images readily available on the internet have conditioned the generation to expect everything to happen at the click of a button.
ReplyDeleteConfession: I clicked on your blog because I thought you posted a Bill Nye the Science Guy video.
ReplyDeleteI like incorporating technology too but I fear how it's affecting their patience and focus. Many find it sooooo difficult to sit and read from a textbook or original source. Even when they are reading material online they get so easily distracted because their used to fast speed internet/texting/clicking/receiving.
I fear more and more they know a little about a lot, but not a whole lot about a little.
When I was a TA, I graded so maybe assignments that were submitted in text/IM shorthand. It saddened me. How did they think turning in an essay in shorthand was academically acceptable at a place of higher education?
You are absolutely correct, students multitask when it comes to entertainment. Me too. I can watch TV, surf the Web, and talk with my wife all at the same time, but my brain is not truly engaged. That is why my wife gets so mad at me when I "forget" what she said. The truth is I am not really talking to her. I am not really watching TV. I am just trying to keep my mind busy because I am used to constant stimulation. You are right, students need to learn how to use technology to learn, not just to stay busy. After all, isn't that what multitasking really is, staying busy.
ReplyDeleteThat was a great post. I feel the same way. How do I figure out, how to make them figure out, how to make effective use of technology in the classroom? Cool sentence isn't it?
ReplyDelete