Week 1- Reflection on Prensky

Good Morning All,
What an interesting way to begin our Managing E-Learning course by coming to realise that technology is not always a reliable tool. Our first tute yesterday screamed that message loud and clear. Though this does not mean that it should be bannished from the classroom altogether. This experience makes evident just how necessary it is to ALWAYS have a back up plan when lesson planning because not everything pans out as expected (this is not just in the case of technology). There are so many variables in individual classrooms that can either enhance or hinder the effectiveness of classroom activities. The main variable being the diverse range of students that sit at the desks in front of you, looking at you, all with extremely different expectations. I completely agree with Prensky about the fact that not all learners are digital natives. I have just turned twenty and grew up in a household where my Dad was mad about computers. I can remember being encouraged as a child when I had a question to just "google it". By the time I was thirteen I had my own computer. However, I do not consider myself a digital native. I came into this course nervous and frightened. I even take my computer to my parents house often because I forget how to do the scans on it. The thought of using technology in the classroom does excite me, but at this point in my life, my twelve year old brother can use my iPad better than I can. Now he is a digital native! My brother has never really been 'taught' how to use a computer and has never had to be encouraged to 'google it'. He just seems to naturally teach himself anything that he may be interested in. My sixteen year old brother taught himself to drive using YouTube. I agree with Prensky because I can see the differences in my own family. There is no solution to targeting all learning styles in one activity and I do not think there should be. In the 21st century it is adamant that students learn resilience and guiding them through their learning journey using a variety of teaching methods that may not always suit their learning style is an excellent way to start.
Until next time Bloggers! Rachael