Listen to the Natives By Marc Prensky Educational Leadership December 2005/January 2006

Digital Natives vs Digital Immigrants Natives Native speakers of technology Fluent in the language of technology, video games and the Internet Our students! Immigrants Not born into the digital world Adopted many aspects of technology Retain an “accent.” Us!

The problem? Our students, as digital natives, will continue to evolve so rapidly that we, as teachers, won’t be able to keep up.

The Solution? Shifting Gears. Students Engagement Collaborating with Students Flexible Organization Digital Tools Programming Legacy Versus Future Learning School Versus After School Student Voice

Shifting Gears Take cues from students’ 21 st century innovations and behaviors. May have to abandon own predigital instincts and comfort zones. Value what our students know about technology. Encourage student decision-making. Involve students in instruction design. Get student input on how they would teach.

The Use of Electronics to Improve Student Engagement Prerequisites for learning – engagement and motivation. Engage students the 21 st Century way “Gameplay” –Same student demands but through complex computer games.

Collaborating with Students Make decisions with students –Curriculum development –Teaching methods –School organization –Discipline –Assignments

Flexible Organization Solutions to herding – students’ involuntary assignment to specific classes or groups for the benefit of the educators. One-to-One instruction Continually adapted to each student as he or she learns. Capitalize on students’ individual capabilities. Student Self-selection Allow students to choose their virtual learning groups.

Digital Tools Educating and evaluating students must include 21 st century tools Cell phones –Deliver interactive lessons over a cell phone –Usage of short messaging to service to quiz or tutor –Have students access animations in anatomy and forensics

Programming Educators must help students extend their programming abilities. Write programming curricula and make it available for all students. Students can teach their peers.

Legacy Versus Future Learning Consolidate and concentrate important parts of our curriculum to make room for 21 st century learning. Teach nanotechnology, bioethics, genetic medicine and neuroscience. Involve guest teachers. Deliver this content through 21 st tools.

School Versus After School Currently, our students are receiving their 21 st century education after school. Teachers must find ways to integrate kids’ technology-rich after-school lives with the lives in school. “The cookies on my daughter’s computer know more about her interests than her teachers do.”

Student Voice Listen to the kids we serve! Value their opinions! Make major changes on the basis of the valid suggestions our students offer!