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Doane College Summer 2009 Comments Wiki
Please add any content or information you believe would be helpful to your classmates to this site. You could add a comment about a site or software tool you use which may be helpful to others. You might comment on a tool or site which you found especially helpful. jeff
 * Please add your first name after your comment so we can see who made the comment.**

=__THANKS FOR THE GREAT COMMENTS! Jeff__ =

It's amazing how fast things change in this area. I've taken a couple of classes/workshops in the past few years and the online resources just seem to explode by the minute. What I know about Digital Natives is that they aren't afraid to "mess with it" and experiment. Sometimes, us fossils are afraid to push a button because the computer might explode.

I found what Prensky had to say was right on. The kids we teach today are so tech savvy, they are way ahead of me. I learned a lot just watching my students this year as they navigated the web and did their different projects.

I believe that the kids learn better using technology rather than using books to teach new concepts. Also, they also learn by example when doing projects with technology. By this, I mean that if they are show an example of the project they are doing on the computer, they usually run with it rather than reading the requirements off of a sheet of paper. They become limited and are a little more reluctant to try new ideas with the technology that is available for them to use.

Jeff, good class. I thought the article about Digital Immigrants, and Digital Natives was very interesting. I have never thought about that concept before. I believe I'm going to get a lot out of this class. Scott

Terry. I am a digital immigrant. With this class I plan to start overcoming my computer/tech inabilities. The website information was great. Lots of stuff out there that I had no idea existed. I am the only one in our house that does not have an ipod. I will be asking for one for Father's Day. I don't listen to music and I did not realize that there was so much more out there to listen to.

Wow! I did not know how much info was out on the web (free for education). Good class today. Trevor

As I sit here typing on this blog, wiki, or whatever this is, I sit here and wonder what's it take for people / teachers to buy into this. Obviously the folks in the class understand the need for technology and it's ever changing growth. But what about the teachers we all know. The ones that say, "...that's not real teaching that's not what these kids need nowadays...they need structure, they need to be taught the way the real world works..." (Yeah right, like the kids today really appreciate the notes on the overhead.) Recalling information from memory for tests, only to see it "poof" disappear as soon as the test is over. That's productive, that makes better people in society. Some schools get it, some don't. I'll tell you what, I get it, I understand the need. I look forward to learning more about technology and the benefits in the classroom, good class! {dismantle soap box...now} ~Mitch

I really found the Prensky article very interesting!!! As educators, we need to constantly try to keep ahead and/or with the digital natives we are responsible to teach. I feel as though I should be taking your class on a yearly basis to keep current on trends and digital media tools. I appreciate the work you have gone to in preparation for this class in order to prepare us to educate our 21st Century Learners. Patti

The amount of resources you have given us just on the first day is amazing. As someone who loves using multimedia in the classroom all of this will come in very handy. I only hope I can remember this large volume of information. Brett

I really enjoyed the class and I learned alot! The article by Prensky was very interesting and helps me understand the kids I work with. Cathy

I coteach with digital natives. They are quite comfortable using technology. I am a digital immigrant (much better on a MAC than a PC...). I think a mixture of all instructional methods is good (ie. read from books, cut & paste, tech). I really liked the “Old dogs-new tricks” video and would like to show it to our staff at the beginning of next year. One problem we have at our school is, we have about 60 laptops for the whole school. When we want our class (of about 25 students) to use them, they are often out of battery. That’s really difficult if you are counting on them at a certain time for an activity. Sheri

I thought this article was very informative - I am a definitely a digital immigrant. Every year that goes by it seems that I have to work harder to stay just a few steps ahead of my students.Though, the kids really are eager to teach me something I have not yet discovered - it makes for a very pleasant and fun exchange, most of the time! I plan on sharing this article with my staff as many of our teachers are 'digital immigrants' and this information might help them better understand how to relate to their kids on the technology side and why it is important. Ellen

Definitely a digital native-want-a-be but am only a digital immigrant. Kids these days have no fear when it comes to technology where as I find myself intimidated sometimes. I don't just want to get my feet wet, I want to jump in the pool with them. This week should be a good start. Jenny

Every time I start to feel like I am getting to know as much or more about technology than my students I find out that there is more I really don't know,especially about what's out on the web. This class is going to help me with my research methods class and culminating project as it has to do with technology and student motivation. Justin