https://padlet.com/sevans068131/znv1i87m8qpqv94u Shelbi Evans Blog Post 2: EDUC-1043-E21O1 en-us 2021-03-27 18:36:31 UTC 2025-10-27 04:12:12 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f4f1.png sevans068131 https://padlet.com/sevans068131/znv1i87m8qpqv94u/wish/1360227826 Three Biggies:
1. The Gap
The article begins by discussing how digital learners' learning preferences and educator teaching preferences differ. Much like the Digital Native, Digital Immigrant post from week one, we learn that the way digital natives prefer to learn isn't necessarily how their educators prefer to teach. "There is a growing disconnect between learning preferences of digital students and the teaching and assessment preferences of traditional teachers" (The 21st Century Fluency Project). 
2. Catching Up
Instead of dwelling on this broadening gap and doing nothing, the article stresses that educators and education have got to catch up with the digital world. The article gives excellent tools and ideas for helping catch up and bridging the ever-growing gap. 
3.Bridging the Divide.
There are multiple ways for teachers to familiarize themselves with what their students are doing and learn how they are doing it.
* Go to Technorati to find, download, and listen to podcasts or even create your own podcast.
* Use Skye or iChat
* Pick a skill that your students would like to master, like playing guitar or learning how to fix a mountain bike, and search the internet for sites that will help you develop that skill
* Go to Delicious.com and create a Tag Cloud
"When told kids are different, educators knowingly nod their heads, but then they shut the door to the classroom and go back to business as usual. It could just as easily be 1960 all over again (The 21st Century Fluency Project). 

Two Sides
1. Students
Much like the digital native and digital immigrant post from week one, we see the stark differences in how students WANT to learn and how they are being taught. The article summarizes ways to easily up the teacher's knowledge with current culture with today's youth and teaching to the whole mind. When reviewing Edgar Dale's Learning Cone, you can see that most students, up to 90% learn best by "velcro learning" or learning by doing. Only 10% learning by reading, and 20% retain information when hearing verbal instruction. It's no longer enough to just tell a student what they should know. We must engage their whole minds and collaborate with them through technology and digital tools. 
2. Educators
"As the old saying goes, "when the going gets tough, the tough get traditional" (The 21st Century Fluency Project). Many educators struggle with the concept that today's youth want to be multitasking. They can be on social media and be learning at the same time, they want to collaborate, and they need a classroom where their teacher is on board with the digital age. Today, many schools still ban digital devices and can overlook the educational benefits of social media and other digital platforms and tools. While uncomfortable and often difficult, educators need to look past their educational upbringing and work towards meeting their students in the digital age. 

"You see, intellectually, we all understand that the world has changed. But as the old saying goes, "when the going gets tough, the tough get traditional." At an unconscious level, without even being aware that we are doing it, we can revert back to our old habits and beliefs. Our traditional minds recoil from the discomfort of new ideas that are outside our past experience. We tend to unconsciously revert to the status quo and go back to doing things the way we always have. It is a predictable phase that all people go through when dealing with change. You will experience it today, tomorrow, or sometime in the near future when you realize the true implications of the new ideas that have been discussed. 
And remember, staff development without follow-up is malpractice (The 21st Century Fluency Project).

One Question
Should schools, educators, and students be held to standards on digital integration? If there is proof students no longer benefit from solely traditional education, shouldn't there be measures put in place that force digital immigrants to learn and utilize the digital tools made available to them?

Resource

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