"Start the Year right with Digitally Native Teachers"

Title: Start the Year Right with Digitally Native Teachers. By: Anderson, Mary Alice, MultiMedia & Internet@Schools, 15464636, Sep/Oct2005, Vol. 12, Issue 5
Database: Academic Search Complete

"Start the Year Right With Digitally Native Teachers," is a journal article written by Mary Alice Anderson. The article talks about how schools are now starting to hire the first generation of computer literate teachers. This new generation of teachers embraces technology instead of running from it. This is because they grew up with access to computers in their classrooms and their homes. They use excel by choice to organize their lives and are dependent on technology to get through their day. These new teachers often are confused and frustrated why teachers at their new school are still using the chalkboard, not posting grades online and incorporating technology into their lesson plans.
The new computer literate teachers often become role models for the experienced teachers, who may not be so technologically advanced. The schools goal is to have these teachers work together so the less computer literate teacher can become more comfortable and gain more confidence when it comes to using technology.
Schools are very excited to have computer illiterate teachers join their schools. The problem is that just having computer knowledge isn't enough. The schools are finding out that no amount of knowledge matters if you don't know how to use it.
The schools solutions is to work on how to teach teachers to integrate technology into the curriculum. Many are now bringing media specialists into their schools who job is to teach teachers incorporate technology into the curriculum and to help them take advantage of the resources available to them. The media specialist is their to



My response to this article was mixed. I believe that children need technology in their classrooms and in their curriculum. The children that don't have access to this at their school are at a severe disadvantage and will be behind their peers that do have access. I think its wonderful that students are being exposed to more technology savvy teachers. I am worried that while these teachers have the knowledge they may not have the resource to execute their knowledge. I feel like this article applies to teachers teaching in suburban, more affluent and private schools. Many schools still are seriously lagging behind in technology. When and if these schools do find the budget to incorporate technology into their classrooms I don't see them hiring media specialists anytime soon.