In my last post, I discussed some resources/technology tools that we can use via our LMS, Schoology and how they will benefit our instruction and students. Easy, right?
Am I making you crazy yet? Am I making it seem like it will be rainbows and butterflies and the easiest thing you've ever done to enhance your classroom and teaching? At this point, I hope I have at least swayed you to think that these free programs are very beneficial for our 21st century students and by using them in our classroom we will make ourselves more marketable as a district and a high school that is aiming to prepare students for the future, especially the college bound that will most likely use an LMS at that level. While I do think these programs are fairly easy to use and navigate, that doesn't mean it doesn't take practice and some instruction on how to make your hybrid-style classroom successful.
I would like you to look at a course that I have set up in Schoology for a week plan that would go along with my in-class instruction. To do, please visit my Schoology page. You will have to create a username and password to do so. You will also have to enter an access code to my classroom and I will have to accept you. This is a great safety feature that lets us make our classrooms accessible to only our students and parents. After you have done the first step, here is the access code for my section: 8DJWX-ZMWFH
When you eventually get access and begin to look around, I would like you to look at the set up, the organization, the ease with which students are able to navigate from day-to-day, the rubric system and assignment section with due dates, the discussion boards, etc. In creating this learning module, I found that it does take work and time, but it wasn't hard to do! I would love to see all of our staff in the high school use Schoology in their classrooms to go along with their in-class instruction, and to make those of you that might feel uncomfortable with it feel more comfortable, I would do several sessions during our PD days, after school and at lunch to ensure your success in using this program.
While I know that I am newer to the staff and have only been out of college for three years, I do understand the hesitation some of you might have, and I think some of you would fall into the category of calling yourself a "digital immigrant". No, you're not foreign to the country, but you're foreign to some of the newer technology. Mark Prensky coined the terms "digital immigrant and digital native" as he saw fit for the population working with technology. He writes in his article, Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants,
"What should we call these 'new' students of today? Some refer to them as the N- for Net- Gen or D for Digital, but the most useful designation I have found for them is Digital Natives. Our students today are all "native speakers" of the digital language of computers, video games and the internet. So what does that make the rest of us? Those of us who were not born into the digital world but have, at some later point in our lives, become fascinated by and adopted many or most aspects of the new technology are, and always will be compared to them, Digital Immigrants" (p. 1-2).
These terms are very fitting for the world we live in, and while I consider myself a digital native because I was born into this constant upgrading world of technology, I do understand the struggles of a digital immigrant because I have had issues with certain programs and just wanted to give up. I think, those of that you haven't jumped on the technology bandwagon, or are currently living with a "digital accent" would enjoy reading Prensky's articles as he urges immigrants to dive in and embrace but know that you aren't alone.
In an interview with SLATE, Prensky talks about another aspect he coins his "digital stupidity". He states, "My digital stupidity comes from ignoring the fact that there's so much online. If I need a train timetable or if I need tickets to something, I won't automatically assume I can do it online. I think the biggest one I would say, is not realizing all the powerful tools that I have with me at all times." This statement shows that we can all fall victim to digital stupidity, but with the right knowledge and understanding of some these tools, we can all use our, as Prensky states, "digital wisdom" too!
So, after all that, it is my goal to help you through this process, and help you move on in your professional life to use what is provided for us in the digital world. Won't you just give it a try??
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