Real teacher/ real world/ real challenge

I really enjoyed our guest visit from Erin Svean for the simple fact - she is a real teacher. Sometimes at university we are flooded with so much information, and so much theory, that it is the practical and real elements that get overlooked. I love seeing what we are learning alive in the classrooms, and I know I my learning is significantly improved if i can see the practical application of the theory.

I remember seeing an interview with Erin in the Sunday Times last year when she won her award. The title was "Teacher wins for hi-tech passion", so I nearly glossed over it because I didn't think I could relate in anyway to the words hi-tech (digital immigrant). But when I read what she was actually doing in class, (digital cameras and digital storytelling) I thought well I could do that ( and that is with my limited knowledge and understanding of the area).   Her ideas were simple, but well crafted. And that is what I get most out of this unit. It doesn't have to be about the level of technology, its about the learning you integrate into the technology platform.

I think this is the biggest hurdle for digital immigrants is you don't have to be a genius, just have a go. Use it as you would any other resource. If you think it would assist in what you are trying to teach, use it, even in its most simple form I'm sure the kids will respond, and engage in the learning you have crafted around the technology tool.

Hearing Erin talk about the reality of the classroom/school environment was interesting. For me, the back up situation is the big one. I know I would be far more adventurous in my classroom if I had a Mark (or IT specialist) at the school, but as Erin said it was her. She is the youngest at her school, and she is the go to person. I think here is a CHALLENGE for my young collegues who are digital natives - when you get into schools volunteer to be the tech specialised or go-to person. For you guys its in your blood, there is no fear, its natural. I'm sure it will help your career prospects and promotion path - so personal gain for you, but what you would be doing for digital immigrants (like me) is encouraging them to be brave. I know I would be much braver with technology if there was someone at my school who had that air of confidence about them in regards to computers, and were happy to help. Not only would you assist your own prospects you could help a whole generation of teachers (digital immgrants) be better teachers. Students win, education wins, you win, and digital immigrants grow braver.

What is exciting as all these digital natives enter the teaching workforce, is the support they will be able to offer older teachers just by being there. Some people are quite judgemental about older teachers not using technology in their classroom, but I think they should not be criticised; their knowledge of pedagogy and experience has to be recognised. And who knows as schools realise the need to adapt, they may recognise the advantages of appointing an IT, go-to person, just as they appoint phys ed, music, and art specialists. Of course waiting for such funding may be unrealistic, so digital natives just know the difference you could make to the whole system if you volunteer the skills you have.