UAB Reflections: Chapters 5 and 6

UAB Reflections: Chapters 5 and 6: Please post reflections for chapters 5 and 6......

CHAPTER 5- AN IMPENDING TRAGEDY

There is a huge gulf between todays "digital learners" and their "non-digital" teachers. In the future, the way we teach and the way we train our teachers will depend on whether these students will be productive in this digital age. Instruction must be adapted, and if necessary, completely changed if we are going to produce successful learners and productive citizens.

Students today have impressive skills with technology, but the use of this technology is often overlooked. If students are to view their schoolwork as valuable, meaningful and interesting, we must connect the subject contents and skills with todays technology. Students must see that their education is applicable and worth the effort. It is our responsibility, as educators, to discover these digital tools and commit to using them effectively in our classrooms.

CHAPTER 6 - IT'S TIME TO CATCH UP

In chapter 6, the authors clearly explain that it is time for educators to catch-up. If students are going to see their education as relevant and applicable, teachers must connect the knowledge with the relevance. The "VELCRO" analogy is so appropriate. Instruction without relevance is like one side of VELCRO, nothing is going to stick! When the knowledge is married with the relevance, the learning sticks in the minds of the students. In order for this to happen, teachers must know the world of their students. They must become actively involved in technology and how to incorporate that technology into their classrooms in a meaningful way.

UAB Reflections: Chapter Four

UAB Reflections: Chapter Four: List three learning preferences by digital learners and give me examples (of each) of what you could do in the classroom with them.... Examp...

Beth Keplinger

Chapter 4- List Three Learning Preferences by Digital Learners and How They Would Be Incorporated in the Classroom

1) Network simultaneously with others- As a math teacher, I will use networking with other students to enhance problem solving. Whether sharing ideas on Twitter or Facebook or Edmodo, students can posts ideas, hints, or success while trying to collectively solve a word problem, or a logic problem, or a multi-step assignment.

2) Instant gratification with immediate and deferred rewards- I will use texting or ipads or itouch/ipods to give immediate feedback on problems taken on tests or quizzes. I will be able to show averages and points needed to a student is always aware of his/her standing in my class.

3)Receiving information quickly from multiple multimedia sources- I will use ipads (if available) to expand on classroom instruction. I will allow students to use their ipod/itouch/cell phone to interact with each other, sharing ideas and answers to problems posed in class. I would love to bring in video games that would strengthen math skills and content that is currently being covered (my kids have the apps and games for the lower grades, I just need to do the research to find those that are appropriate for the secondary level!)

UAB Reflections: Chapter Three

UAB Reflections: Chapter Three: Post your reflection of chapter three and comment on one of your colleagues post. It can be from chapter three or four.

Chapter 3- What We Know About the Digital Generation

I found it surprising and comforting to read that our brains are "plastic in nature". The idea that neurons are constantly rearranging themselves and making new connections is great news to someone who is quickly approaching the dementia stage! On page 21, research is cited telling us that,"neural circuits are constantly being strengthened or weakened based on the intensity and duration of the inputs. Brain cells and their circuits operate on a use-it-or-lose-it, survival of the fittest principle." On page 23, Daniel Pink's work is used to explain how the left-side of the brain specializes in logic and literalness while the right-side of the brain handles pattern analysis and problem solving. Pink then goes on to say that if our children are going to survive and excel in the 21st century, they must move from being left-brain thinkers to "whole-brain" thinkers. If this is to happen, then students today must be taught in such a way as to incorporated both sides of the brain, developing not only the logical side, but the creative, intuitive side, as well.

As a teacher, I must realize that the majority of my students, members of this digital generation, do not learn and process information the same way I do. There is a huge gap between those of us that teach and those that are learning- a gap that is only getting wider by each passing day. As educators, we must be committed to closing that gap (or huge gulf as stated on page 30!) , re-evaluating our teaching strategies, and connecting with our students in a way that will ensure their educational success.