Learning in a Digital Age

After reading Prensky's article on learning in a digital age, I feel that I've been out of the classroom for way too long to truly comment on the integration of technology and to what extreme.  My knee jerk reaction with every paragraph was mumbling to myself "no way".  I really have a hard time believing that cell phones in a classroom are a good thing.  The students may be "digital natives", but this does not have to play a role in every aspect of their lives.  Sometimes it is ok to revert back to the olden days of verbal and written communication.  I can't help but think of how customer service has transitioned from "can I help you?" to "please listen closely as our menu items have changed; press 1 for..."; personal to impersonal.

If gameplay is a must use method in engaging students then we have lost our ability to teach.

It all seems a little sad to me and maybe I'm more of a stubborn "digital immigrant" than I originally gave myself credit for.  I personally believe we're catering to the wants more than the needs of the students.  Real life will not be presented in game format.  Not everything in the work place will require each individuals input to make it more accommodating for them.  Not everything is going to be virtual and mind altering in its presentation.  

I do agree that empathy should play a role in selecting teachers as bed side manner plays a role in a good doctor being a great doctor.  One thing to remember is that not every doctor has the best bedside manner but that does not mean he or she is a bad doctor, in fact, they could be the best in their field.  In the same respect, not every teacher will exhibit intense empathy toward their students, this does not mean they're not a great teacher.

Inevitably, the digital era is here and I personally think the best way to handle it is to let each individual teacher integrate it in their own unique way.  To avoid having too much or not enough of a good thing will require most of us to feel out that happy medium.