Mar 01 2008
Rich Informational Experiences
This YouTube video produced by Transforming Teaching Trough Technology challenges teacher to consider how much attention they devote to understanding the way their students learn. The video profoundly states that a large majority of students are digital learners. This statement is supported by a number of statistics:
Today’s average college student graduates have spent…
Over 10 000 hours playing video games
Over 10 000 hours talking on cell phones
Roughly 20 000 hours watching TV.
Today’s children and teens spend 2.75 hours a week using home computers (Institute for Social Research, 2004).
70% of our nation’s 4-6 year olds have used a computer.In any given day, 68% of children under two will use a screen media for an average of just over two hours (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2003).
Our digital learners have sent and received over 200 000 emails or instant messages by the time they graduate from college (Presnky, 2001).
The video challenges the viewer about whether they consider the digital disposition of our future generations. Is our curriculum designed in a manner to enhance students’ understanding, application, analysis and creativity in technology education? Do students actively create? Are we reaching students? Are we engaging students? Or alternatively do students simply “play school” and not truly experience genuine and authentic educational experiences? The researcher of the video clip claims that “on average students in a class only get to ask a question once every ten hours” (Graesser & Person, 1994). This seems such a limited and restrictive environment for students to be engaged in genuine and whole hearted learning.
I was challenged to ponder the question “why not use the technology that our students love to create, reach and engage and teach more effectively?” (Graesser & Person, 1994). It is imperative as future primary teachers to “pay attention to our children’s intensely rich informational experiences” though using technology effectively to engage students (Warlick, 2006).
Graesser, A.C., Person, N.K. (1994). American Educational Research Journal.
Prensky, M. (2004). What Can You Learn From A Cell Phone?
Warlick, D. (2006). Teaching and Learning on the Edge of Change.
