Assignment #1 Digital Natives

Thomas Reeds states, "Instead of worrying about whether Boomers, GenXers or Millennials will learn more from direct instruction or virtual reality games, instructional designers and educational technology researchers working closely with practitioners and subject matter experts should begin by identifying the needs of any given set of learners, design the best possible prototype learning environments in situ, and then conduct iterative cycles of formative evaluation and refinement to optimize the solution and reveal robust design principles." There is a great amount of importance given to the idea of categorizing generations that I am sure have their own purpose. In education, teaching and learning is at the core. Teachers and learners play an equal role in meeting the digital societal changes. 

Digital exposure and learning is a field that needs further research where race and low SES should be taken into account. 

Students that walk through school gates are influenced by technology and schools need to learn and used those digital tools. As a future principal I need to be able to lead by example by modeling and thus use those digital tools. Ensuring  equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources will be a challenge. Students who are categorized as performing below grade standards tend to get the shorter end of the stick of usage of technology exploration. Yes it is true that there are useful programs that are being used as interventions but this type of programs don't allow the learner to explore. Technology is a tool that one can use to get any kind of information as quick as one types. Students need to be served at their instructional level in reading or math but also within the intervention time there should be some time for the students to guide their own learning. Students should be given opportunities to explore familiar and unfamiliar topics. If during intervention times student exploration is not feasible, then there should a lab open before or after school so students can have an opportunity to explore. The student would need to be identified by the teachers and the lab can be run by trained para educator.  

In the school I need to model the usage of technology tools. It is important to start small and build capacity. Also in the school, teachers that are successfully using technology can serve as coaches and instructors to other teachers. The digital tools being used by the school should be helping address a specific building need.