Although assistive technology is incredible for our learners who need it, there are also some downsides to it as well. AT has been a phenomenal tool used to improve our students’ learning and has allowed them to stay on par with their classmates while also learning in the best way for their specific needs. One of the downfalls, though, is that there’s a lot of trial and error that happens. In order to find out what works best for each individual need, you have to first try different AT options until you find the one(s) that work for your student. Another downfall is that just like with anything else, technology can sometimes fail us so if the best learning technique for a student is online or through an app, it may not be readily available one day. To make up for the latter, as previously mentioned, there are low-tech tools that are an option as well.

The question I am left with after reading this article is why aren’t we doing more research to make sure we are providing the best up-to-date tools to provide a better learning environment for our students who rely on assistive technology? If only a few researchers are conducting well-designed research, then why aren’t we finding more researchers willing to do this work for our students?

The two sides to this article support the “just in case” learning and “just in time” learning that was previously stated. “Just in case” learning equips your child with knowledge to think back on and use “just in case” in any situation. “Just in time” learning provided by technology offers a quick way to access information needed “just in time” for assignments, projects or finding more up-to-date information that not all textbooks carry.

One question I am left with after reading this article is how can we effectively and efficiently use both traditional school learning and technology without one hindering the other- what is the best way to combine both learning styles to keep a balanced curriculum while providing versatile learning for diverse students?

The two sides to this article are that of the digital learner’s learning and the traditional school teachings. There is a clear disconnect between the two and how they’re incorporated, or maybe lack-thereof in schools. Digital learners such as your students like to get their information fast and have access to thousands of resources whereas in schools the resources are typically slow and limited, i.e. books. Another disconnect is that technology offers multitasking and traditional teaching with textbook and lecturing does not. Traditional teaching also feels required to teach to the curriculum and guides and students work more independently but digital learning offers fun and active resources with instant reward where students can interact and collaborate. I believe it’s beneficial for students to be able to collaborate while also working in a familiar environment that gets them excited to learn but can also be taken home where that connection and familiarity grows.

One question that I am left with after reading The Digital Generation II is how are we, as teachers, going to prepare for and incorporate technology for the digital learners in order to engage them and get them excited about learning?

Both sides to this argument, the Digital Natives and the Digital Immigrants, carry pros and cons. Pros of the Digital Native side, in other words using technology in the classroom, are that students would be more apt to want to participate and study when they are familiar with the tools being used and would take less time having to learn something they are unfamiliar with. Another pro is that there would be a lot more accessible resources for students to use and find a wide variety of information for anything they’d need. Cons of using technology in the classroom is that it could be distracting to some students and could easily get them off task. A pro to not using technology in the classroom is again, less chances of students getting distracted. A con of the Digital Immigrant side is that students are less likely to pay attention because they’ll get bored. I agree with the fact that technology should be introduced as a resource and learning tool in the classroom because it is something I am familiar with and would be able to teach and incorporate well in my curriculum. I believe it would be beneficial for the students to learn in a way that they’re already familiar with and with something that appeals to them for them to really grasp what is being taught in the classroom.

One question I am left with after reading this article is how will the older and newer generations compromise in order to get the most out of both their experiences to be able to learn and teach the best way they both know how.