Module 4-2: Digital Literacy

"The biggest question about technology and schools in the 21st century is not so much "What can it do?" but, rather, "When will it get to do it?" We all know life will be much different by 2100. Will school? How close will we be to Edutopia?"

This quote from Shaping Tech for the Classroom by Marc Prensky caught my eye immediately when I was choosing an article to read. I hear this so often among teachers in my building! It seems like there is always a new program, software, hardware or social forums that we are supposed to be linked to....It makes you want to pull out your hair!!!

Prensky speaks about the steps a typical school takes to integrate technology into their school. He begins by talking about how schools start with "doing old things in new ways" such as passing along documents, announcements, invitations, letters home in electronic form. Nothing new, but in an old way. Electronic documents are honestly a thing of the past now. Using word is very elementary and doesn't include the students in deep technology education

The next step up would be a school that tried "doing old things in new ways." Using simulations and interactive models online are a newer way of showing the old thing. No more plastic model in the classroom to show you how the organs fit together, but still the same old thing.

The next step would be a school that does "new things in new ways," but Prensky talks about several factors the render most schools to enter into this final stage of supporting our digital learners. One of those factors are "digital immigrants." These would be the teachers who resist change. They like what they've been doing for many year because it works for them, they know what to expect, and generally have the feeling that this is just another fad or program that they won't be held accountable for and it will just fall to the way side like everything else that has come and gone through a school. All the social reforms that never take hold. Prensky states it perfectly in my opinion when he writes "...resisting today's digital technology will be truly lethal to our children's education." He goes on to give examples of how our current student's lives are very fast-paced and full of technology. It hurts the child because they shut-down at school due to boredom. Do you really want that for you students? He challenges teachers and schools to experiment with the "new" and watch the students take hold and responsibility for their own education while WORKING, LOVING, and LIVING the edutopia of a digital learner.

Where does your school fall into Prensky's scheme?

Link to the article