Marc Prensky's book Teaching Digital Natives: Partnering for Real Learning discusses several key ideas when it comes to teaching in this new, digital age. Students are growing up in a society which is fast=paced and driven by technology. Many teachers are finding it difficult to keep up. In his book, Prensky suggests a new method of teaching and learning: partnering.
Partnering essentially has to deal with teachers and students forming a partnership for learning. Rather than following the traditional view of the teacher being the all-knowing authority figure in the classroom, their role now shifts to becoming a guide or a coach. The teacher asks questions to inspire students to discuss and discover information, rather than telling them what they should know. There were two key themes which I found to be very beneficial as I embark on my own journey towards becoming a teacher. The first is the idea to make learning real. Students desire authentic learning experiences. They want to know how what they are learning in the classroom today will affect them when they are out in the real world tomorrow. They want to see the real world application. When I begin teaching in the classroom, I will strive to ensure that my students know what makes the concepts and ideas that they are learning about real. The other theme I found beneficial is the idea of nouns versus verbs. Prensky goes into great detail in his text about thinking of technologies/tools and skills as nouns and verbs. The technologies are nouns; they are tools. The skills that the students are learning and developing are verbs. The tools should never replace the skills that the students are to be learning. Rather, they should be utilized in such a manner that it enhances the learning experience while the students and practicing and developing the skills. Overall, Prensky's book is one I would recommend to anyone working in the education field. Just as society is evolving, so should our teaching in order to meet the needs of our students.
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