I'm hybrid Immigrant-Native. As I was reading through Prensky's essay "Digital Natives Digital Immigrants, I could see many immigrant and natives aspects within myself.
This article was written in 2001, 13 years ago. I can remember my family getting our first Gateway computer, the size of a mini fridge, with the cow pattern on the box. I can hear the dial-up, the hours spent on instant message.And I can also remember NO technology in the classroom. The closet thing to technology would be informative movies made in the 80's, that usually put me to sleep.
Yes, I do have some reservations on the impact technology has on the youth. I see students have difficulties sitting still or are easily distracted. There must always be stimulation and that multi-tasking can be detrimental for students concentration. "Today's average college grad have spent less than 5,00 hours of their lives reading, but over 10,000 hours playing video games(not to mention 20,000 hours watching TV.)" (Prensky, 2001, pg. 1) KEEP IN MIND this was 13 years ago! This fact was startling.
The only thing consistent is change, thus teachers must be ever vigilant and active in the changes taking place in the society and the classroom. I teach at a Catholic school, we could call it an "Immigrant school" because I have two outlets in the whole classroom. I don't think the nuns were anticipating a Smartboard, a TV, mini net books...etc...So, there is a prime example of the shift of having "natives" stuck in an "immigrants" class room. Within my school, I have many immigrants and many natives, it's apparent who are the immigrants, "ah how do I sign on, I don't know how to edit my wiki..., I'll just sent a parent letter home." These are frequent comments from immigrant teachers.
The students of today are a much different audience of even 7 years ago, "they have little patience for lectures, step-by-step- logic, and tell-test" instruction." (Prensky, 2001, pg. 3) In order to reach the students we must be able to speak their language to some degree, not to become one of them but to be aware of these changes and be willing to adapt.
While teachers are adjusting to the new styles and methodologies to communicate to our "native" students, the "legacy" content stays in tact, students are still receiving important and traditional content. I suppose this is where the "immigrant" teacher can feel comfortable, by teaching the truths but in a way that the students will grasp. The art of teaching is all in the presentation of material. In personal experience, if I'm about to teach a necessary topic that may be challenging or even "dry" I try to hype it up for them and show that everything is important. As educators, be it immigrant or native, we must be receptive to our environment and be willing to adapt, because only the strongest will survive!
I truly enjoyed reading your perspective! As I have not yet been in a classroom, either teaching or observing in quite a long time, I'm excited, anxious, and yes, a bit nervous to see what it's all about in this day and age!
ReplyDeleteI love your term "hybrid immigrant-native" because that's so true! I couldn't decide if I was a native or immigrant, but when it comes down to it, I too remember the huge gateway computer that was so foreign to us. I remember leaving school and playing outside until my mom yelled for us to come inside for dinner... so I agree with your concern about the impact technology has on youth these days. Children these days rely on cell phone text messaging and Facebook chatting to talk to others... they don't have the same "experience" with communicating in person.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I think you meant "How THICK... not How think" in your title!