As Prensky (2001) would describe me as a ‘Digital Native’, I have always accepted that technology will continue to develop throughout my generation and the generations to come. Through my studies of Teaching & Learning in a Digital World, it has become apparent just how much technology has evolved and the impact it is having on education. ‘The educator’s role is to guide the learner and point out where they can access and evaluate information, rather than be the source of the knowledge. Moving away from the idea that learning is a one-way process.’ (Grand-Clement, 2017)
Although I possess the basic skills to navigate technology, I felt overwhelmed by such a daunting task as I began to look at the assessment outline. With the aid of online tutorials for tools such as Powtoon, Voki, WordPress, Wakelet and the use of Google & YouTube, I felt a sense of relief, with how much information is available at the click of a button. As an educator, it is essential that teachers model the importance of lifelong learning. Continuing to educate oneself with new technology and helping students gain the skills necessary to participate in today’s knowledge based digital society.
Digital technology tools are a great way to keep students engaged while also catering to different students learning needs. By creating multiple modes of access to the curriculum gives students many more options to access the information necessary. For example; visually challenged students or students struggling to read or English language learners, using e-readers has the option to select text-to-speech to hear the text aloud, read along to improve word recognition and reading fluency. (The Master Teacher, 2016)
Some concern is raised when acknowledging the digital divide in Australia in the year 2018, and why this divide still exists. In order to affect change in the era of digital education, industry and government need to work together to ensure that digital education facilitates accessibility and wider societal inclusion; so that every individual learner has access to the opportunities digital learning and technology can offer. (Grant-Clements, 2017)
(The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL), 2012)
This video emphasises that education must evolve to cater to 21st century learning & our knowledge based digital society
References
Australian Institute of Teaching & School Leadership (AITSL). (Producer). (2012, May 7). 21st Century Education. [Video File]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/nA1Aqp0sPQo
Galovic, I. (2017). Reactvertising – Now or never. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from https://medium.com/digital-reflections/reactvertising-now-or-never-e98ed5dbc859
Grand-Clement, S. (2017) Education and skills in the digital age. Retrieved from https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/conf_proceedings/CF300/CF369/RAND_CF369.pdf
Prensky, M. (2001). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. On the horizon, MCB University Press. Vol 9, No 5. Retrieved from http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf
The Master Teacher. (2016). Digital Tools: Engaging students with compelling classroom content. Retrieved from https://system.netsuite.com/core/media/media.nl?id=829080&c=713075&h=2803c0228f593fab3892&_xt=.pdf&gc=clear
Teaching and Learning in a Digital World 