第三 (Third Blog Post)

Digital Native/Immigrant & My Past Teachers

Digital Native vs. Digital Immigrant

"One of the big myths about people growing up is that they are "digital natives;" that just because they've been raised with the Internet - that you're very adept at using the app on your phone - it doesn't mean you have any idea about how the Internet actually works." Astra Taylor

As someone who grew up after 1980, I identify as a digital native. A digital native is someone who grew up in the digital age and was surrounded by technology since birth. As a digital native, I think that the term is quite accurate in describing this age. Though there are various reasons why some people who were born 1980 who did not grow up with technology in home or school, they are still technically digital natives. Digital natives have learned a lot of what they know about technology either through trial and error or practice. Digital Immigrants have had to be taught much of what they learned about technology. What I have noticed about digital immigrants is that they seem to be a lot more hesitant and afraid of technology. They are comfortable with what they already have at times might not see a need for something new. Though my teachers were all digital immigrants, they saw the value in technology and helped us to not be afraid of it. I hope to be able to do the same thing for my future students and encourage them to use technology even when it may seem difficult at times.

My past teachers

"What the teacher is, is more important than what he teaches." Karl Menninger

When reading through the different ISTE standards I was reminded of all of the great teachers that I had. 2.4 Collaborator talks a lot about how teachers should collaborate with students and their families to create a culture of trust and understanding. I think back on both my first and third grade teachers who always communicated with my parents about my learning and development. Our connection was so strong that we started following each other on social media after I graduated. I also think back to my math and science teachers in middle school that helped me find online resources that could help me in my own unique circumstances as stated in 2.2. Leader. Having these great teachers enabled me to establish fluency on paper and online.