Article Assessment

Article Assessment #1

I. Your Info

Your Name: Ashley Norman Email: ashleynorman3@gmail.com Date: 9/29/09

Article Title: Educational Leadership Author: Marc Prensky

II. Overview of article

To effectively communicate with students, teachers need to let their students have a voice in the classroom. This article discusses the importance of listening to students in the 21st century.

Technology is constantly changing the way students learn. Teachers need to keep up with 21st century innovations in order to fully engage their students. Todays Teachers must continue their own education and learn along side their students. Often students can be a good resource for teachers when it comes to 21st century innovations.

For students to succeed in todays technologically advancing world they need to learn how to use technology. Teachers need to understand technology systems and tools to prepare their students for the future. Furthermore, students should be able to access technology even after school is over for the day. If the resources are available to students they can work independently and learn outside of the classroom.

III. Bulleted Reference Points

• “Digital native” refers to todays students who were brought up and born into the digital world.

• “Digital immigrants” are those who were not born into the digital world.

• Students may not be fully engaged at school, but they are fully engaged in their 21st century digital life.

• Students are often a teachers best resource for suggestions on which tools and technologies should be used to teach more effectively.

• Cell phones are one of the most valuable tools a student can have, but many schools currently ban their use.

• In Europe, Japan, China and the Philippines the public uses mobile phones as learning tools.

• Programming is the key skill necessary for 21st century literacy.

• The exciting half of a students education occurs after school.

• 86% of U.S. teachers say computer technology affects the way they teach to some extent

• 55.6% of U.S. teachers say computer technology affects the way they teach a great deal.

IV. Reflection and significance

I agree that student input is very important to providing effective education. If teachers listen to their students and allow them to have a voice in the classroom it can help teachers learn how to engage their students.

I want to give my students choices and allow them to become independent thinkers. The use of technology can allow students to become self-motivated learners and help them to become passionate about their own education. I plan on using alot of technology in my classroom. Videos, games, the internet, pod casts, blogs and networking tools can all be useful when teaching. Not only do they help to engage students, but they can also make my life as a teacher easier. Technology is a wonderful convenience that saves me a lot of time and energy. It is a valuable resource that should be used in schools. I was lucky enough to be born into the digital world. I grew up using technology and understand how valuable it is. As a future educator I have a lot of appreciation for 21st century innovations.