I have been utterly confused by what generation I belong to since I was aware of the classifications. Being born in 1981, it’s safe to say that I was at least at cusp of the transition between Generation X and the Millennials. That must make me a hybrid between the two, so I will not represent either in this blog. Additionally, I will not try to act like I am privy to what’s going on inside the heads of these brand-new Generation Edgers. Throughout my teaching career, I have only instructed the Gen-Edgers. Although, the assigned videos were very well produced and entertaining, the nature in which the young adults and kids were portrayed was a little hyperbolic. The exaggeration that this generation of kids are highly narcissistic and apathetic to "traditional" learning is completely asinine. Social media and media in general may paint that picture for us adults, but I vividly remember being a teen in the 90s and hearing similar things said about my peers and me.
Don’t get me wrong, some days I leave my high school a little rattled from being surrounded by teenage/young-adult angst, but I’m certain that the consensus among teachers hasn’t changed much over time. The two articles by Prensky and McKenzie offered two distinct views. Actually, McKenzie disses Prensky all throughout his article, but I thoroughly enjoyed what both authors had to say. I perceived that Prensky was going for a more satirist theme, and McKenzie wasn’t having any of that. However, the overarching idea of both articles deal with change in the classroom and how teachers should respond to it. Prensky describes us as “immigrants” with thick “accents” that our students can’t decipher. Although his views made me chuckle throughout, I don’t necessarily subscribe to them.
Shaun I enjoyed reading your post. Born 20 years earlier than you I distinctly remember adults concerns about my generation and where we were headed. The "boom box" would be the death of our generation! Technology evolves exponentially in society and at times it appears that education lags behind primarily because of budgets. I agree that the majority of teachers, no matter where they fall in birth decade, are hungry for more technology in their classrooms. I have come across a few that reject it but, that is not the norm. Often when the naysayers see what their fellow teachers are doing in the classroom they express an eagerness to try the same. Your statement about educators learning from their students echoes a message that I always try to impart to educators, don't be afraid to learn from your students where technology is concerned. Their ability to help you can be very empowering in a positive way for everyone.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan. I completely agree with the sentiment that the "naysayers" will come around in regard to incorporating technology into their lives. Often times, these people are just venting their frustration over not being able to keep up. I know I feel overwhelmed at times with the constant change. It scares the heck out of me to think about how I will react to technological change towards the back end of my career!
ReplyDeleteHi Shaun. I totally agree with you that teaching and learning is a two-way street! For example, I'm not a big fan of Facebook and don't know that much about it. However, I joined so that I could see what my younger cousins and family were getting out of it. I've learned a lot over the past week since I've joined. I've actually had converstations with younger family members that I wouldn't have had otherwise.
ReplyDeleteI know enough to be able to conversate with Gen-Edgers a little "digitally". Being able to talk to your students (in their language) is an asset in helping them to learn new things (or old, like history, lol)
Hi Shaun,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that we have a lot to learn from our own students! They can be great resources.
That is one thing that seems constant, the older generation calling the next one lazy, etc. There's one strong statement you make that I think would be a good point of discussion for this week, given the additional readings: "Today’s students in 2014 require different pedagogy than those students did 10-20 years ago."
ReplyDeleteDo they? Pedagogy is a strong word to use here, because that basically implies that almost every instructional strategy we used in classrooms is no longer valid. Further, is there an abundance of evidence showing that when classrooms use technology (and new instructional strategies) student achievement goes through the roof?
[please note that I'm simply trying to spur discussion this week; by no means am I 'calling you out' for your statements.]
Hi Shaun,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the passion in your response, I am a boomer that has only taught High School for one year however as i observed the teaching environment along with the students there seems to be a disconnect. Of course since i was over the I.T. department we were always trying to include technology in the classroom . Some of the older teachers did not want to come away from the blackboard to use the upgraded smartboards which were mandated by the principal. I agree that teaching is a two way street and we have to learn from each other. Teachers do not know it all and need to accept that your younger students can help keep you up to date on what is going on in our ever changing society. Most of the tech stuff i do know some of my students or children showed me how to do, wish one of them were here to help with all these blog instructions.
It's definitely refreshing to see everyone agree with my "two-way street" reference. There is definitely no shame in learning from our students.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Dr. Siko's comment, I agree that pedagogy may be a strong word to use here. Also, I haven't seen much empirical evidence showing student achievement when technology is incorporated to the classroom. Your statement on "profit motive for saying technology is beneficial for our current generation of students" was actually quite eye-opening and had my brain going in many directions. I actually consider my instructional delivery more traditional, but I do like to incorporate technology when I feel it is applicable.
Shaun, even in my Special Ed classroom I learn from my students. This is one of the best parts of our job, we're always learning and growing.
ReplyDeleteWe do not need to re-invent the wheel we it comes to our lesson, we just need to update them. Using technology for the sake of using it isn't going to increase student achievement. Utilizing the technology to enhance lessons and take them to the next level will.
I do know a couple of techers who were not excited about incoporating all the technology our district has provided us with. The main concern was that they did not know how to use it and how to incoporate it into their instruction. After a couple of year of working with the technology, after learning how to operate it, they are pleased with the ease and convience of it.
ReplyDeleteI do not think that every strategy used in the past needs to be scraped, we just need to refresh it.
Coming from the business end of technology I will say of course it is about profit. We do want to sell technology products to the education community. Understand though that we aren't doing this with flagrant disregard to who will be using it. My discovery meetings always include representatives from the faculty as well as administration. The companies I have worked for are staffed with individuals like myself. They are people who have studied education, are immersed in the greater good of educating the children and understanding that key to educating the children is making sure that the faculty charged with educating the students is fully versed in how to use the tools in their classroom.
ReplyDeleteHello Shaun
ReplyDeleteIt is always interesting to meet High School teachers and hear that they are going through some of the same frustrations as elementary teachers. I agree with you when you stated that teachers are not as stubborn as the public says. We are creative and we must find a balance between the old and the new way of teaching. I love integrating technology in to my lessons, and I think it is wonderful that your students are capable of sharing some of the new technology with their teacher.