The Digital Generation

Please turn in your printed resume and your student information sheet at the beginning of class today.
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We are living in the digital generation -- today we'll learn about its native speakers and test drive some of its tools.

You read an article on Monday about "Weaving Technology into Teaching". What have you experienced as a K-12 student that would exemplify that weaving? What knowledge do you currently have about teaching and learning? About what technology integration looks like in a classroom? What technology skills do you already possess?
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We will be working in a "dual platform" lab this semester. You'll learn to use both Windows and Macintosh machines. You'll find that they are very similar - once you test drive them both.

It's important to set up an organized file structure on any storage device - from a 3-ring binder to your usb drive. We use two main folders in your usb drive for this course: an assignments folder and a portfolio folder. Everything you create in this course should immediately be saved to the assignments folder. If you are using your usb drive for other courses, you'll want to create folders for them as well. Usb drives are easy to lose, so you'll want to make sure to have a Word document named "Open if found" saved to your usb drive - it should include all of your contact information.
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How would you describe your future students? What type of learners will they be? What expectations will they have for their learning environment, for their teachers, for their community?

You'll be teaching the millenials -- or the digital generation. Marc Prensky is an educational speaker who discusses this generation in great detail. If you were born after 1982 - you are a part of this generation - you are a digital native. Most of your teachers were digital immigrants. What does that mean for education? Where does instructional technology fit?

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For Tuesday:
1. Read the articles by Clifford Stoll and Marc Prensky
2. View the Mabry Middle School website - find one example from the site that debunks and/or supports the ideas in the Stoll and Prensky articles. Just jot the example down so you''ll remember it for Tuesday.
3. Read the Roblyer chapter: "Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching"