I was in a writing workshop today. We are learning to implement the Lucy Calkins writing program. We got talking about different technology options with writing, and people started complaining about how they can’t compete with the kids’ iPods and such. I spoke right up and told them that we need to stop COMPETING and start USING the technology that the kids are using! I tried to explain what we read about digital immigrants vs. digital natives, and that their brains process information differently than ours. I explained that their brains now process information in a random-fire sort of fashion, and that we need to change the way we present information. An older teacher spoke up and said, “This is exactly the problem! We need to teach them how to USE text books! This is why they make indexes in books…so that kids can look up the information they need!” WOW. I guess that teacher isn’t a digial native…or immigrant for that matter.
Thoughts about Web reliability June 30, 2008
I have always taught kids to be aware that not everything they read on the internet is truth. But after reading the article about Zack and Dr. Butz’s website, I know now that I must go further with this teacher. I can’t just TELL them, I have to show them! It’s important for kids to know how to decipher the components of a web address. It’s important for them to know why links pointing TO a website can help you determine the validity. I can’t wait to teach these skills next year! I only wish I had more time to teach technology…
