Networking and the Digital Age

I can admittedly be identified as a digital immigrant(Prensky, 2001). Daily I enter the classroom surrounded by students who can text with one hand while taking notes with the other. Students who produce videos, make photo collages, build websites, interface in social networks, edit/mix play lists on mp3s.

Earlier this evening I watched the CBS 60 Minutes piece on computer worms, malware, viruses, Spyware and more. In the piece the top networking site, facebook, was mentioned as one of the major targets of the malicious software being used to damage networks, steal information, and even worse, steal funds earned by others. Digital natives (Prensky, 2001) learning to use the technology they've grown up with to make a living long before their even old enough to drive, drink or vote without any social conscience.

My bride shared an article from one of her Rss feeds about the growing trend of minors posting staged fights on the Internet. Many of these fights escalating and resulting in serious injuries, all in the name of their 15 seconds of fame.

Networking in the digital age has allowed me to retain long time friendships. Its provided a way to see the results and 'investments' made in students lives after they've become adults. I've seen my grandson grow up by visiting with him online and watching v-logs from his dad and mom.

I've opened a 'Delicious' account to keep my bookmarks readily available no mater what computer I'm on. Joined "LinkedIn" to in hopes of developing professional network contacts. I've added the CoolIris add-on to Firefox making it easier to preview links in articles, blogs, etc. without having to actually leave my original site.

In the classroom I'm being challenged to learn quickly how to integrate a clicker system into the everyday learning experience. The difficult thing about it is finding the time to assign all the students a clicker inside the software so that they can use it.

I just completed my ninth online master's degree class. I've taken my tests, completed my readings, posted discussions, sent assignments, credentials, applications and more . And it all goes well I will graduate with Master's of Education in Administrative Leadership in 18 months without ever setting foot on the university campus.

I may be an immigrant but I'm learning to survive in the digital age like a native. Now all I have to do is learn how to use the technology available to me to make Algebra 1 just as engaging as twitter.