In partial completion of a Bachelors Degree in Primary Education

Name: Diana Nesbeth

ID#: SS20156937
Group: Advance Placement year 1 Primary Education (Part-time)

Course: Education Technology

Lecturer: Ms. Colyard

Essay: Prensky
Many persons have misconceptions of what technology is, when some persons hear the term
technology they think about laptops, iPods, and other equipment that are often use (Skyper,
2007). Prensky (2013) in his article argues that technology is not limited to these gadgets.
According to Prensky (2013), a student describes technology as a foundation because it
underlines what they do with technology; Lipsitz (1993) views technology as an operational
concept while Prensky (2013) describes it as a new way of thinking, better yet an extension to
our brain. According to business dictionary (2012) Technology is the purposeful application of
information in the design, production and utilization of goods and services, and in the
organization of human activities. In the world of academia, technology enhances our
capabilities in all domains, its not only help in surprising ways with things we require from the
past, such as test preparation but it is also a sine qua non for many capabilities such as data base
usage (Prensky, 2013).
Prensky in the article, dated 2013 advocated for a change in the subjects and the way we
teach and as a result he suggested three new subjects that should be taught instead of the core
subjects that are taught today, these three new subjects are: effective thinking, Effective action,
and effective relationships. The way he spoke about these new subjects yields a lot of changes in

the education system, implications for teachers, policy makers and have even put forward some
advice teachers can employ when it comes on to implementing technology in their classes.
The first subject that Prensky suggested that students begin to learn is effective thinking.
This subject he said, the students should be exposed to from day one. It entails simple
mathematical and logical thinking and it would begin from early grades. The strategies that he
suggests to be used to teach this subject are animated stories and games, as these are expected to
stimulate learning, according to Prensky (2013), Effective thinking will help the students to
think, and therefore students would not be given solutions to problem but would be required to
think of solutions. After assessing this subject, it is evident that it is very vital in the 21st century.
Students are faced with sophisticated information which was once exposed to only persons
attending colleges and even information that is not accurate and is misleading (Cincinnati, 2012).
Therefore, it is quite fitting that students learn how to think effectively, choosing the correct
information and to be innovative. This era calls for persons to be critical thinkers a lot of
problems are present and will exist when our students become adults which will require of them
to be effective and critical thinkers in order to arrive at substantial solution.
Teachers need to enroll the students in activities which will require them to think, to see
the consequences of their actions and also to see that not all information they come upon is true.
As an educator it is our duty to teach our students for the future and not for the past, the present
curriculum that is been used was not developed for students in the 21st century. (Meyer, 1986)
states that effective thinking moves beyond self-centered views of the universe to a broader
more abstract realm. This simple means expanding thinking beyond egocentric values and
limited life experiences some of the values that are extended to effective thinking are
observation, opinion, argument, and critical analysis. Our students are in dire need for these
values.
The next subject Mr. Prensky proposed is effective action. This subject, based on
Prenskys description, will focus on helping students to create. Prensky further states that this
subject area would include increasingly complex challenges in persistence, entreneurship, and
project management and focus on creative ways to break down barriers and getting things done.
He said students would at the beginning learn strategies which he calls Steven Coveys seven.
Based on his description, these strategies would be used to motivate and guide the students
during their creations. He said that students at all level will learn how to start and manage reallife projects and companies. Aspects of this subject are vital to the twenty first century students
because it does not make any sense students learn and are not encourage to act. There is a need
for communities to be developed, companies to be built and technology itself in some areas
needs to be developed therefore students need to practice from an early stage to use what they
learn to create things. However, an assessment would need to be done in regards to at what age
the students would develop some of these sophisticated projects he spoke about.
A third subject he spoke about is effective relationship. In this subject, students high
level communication relationship skills will be fostered- this includes communication in all the
groups one can think of; one-on-one, peer-groups, work groups and communities. The strategies
he suggests are that students analyze works of literature- that focuses on human relations and

relationships, study languages and translation, and explore material from the social studies. This
subject would be vital in the twenty first century in order for the world to move forward humans
need good communication skills (Chand, 2015) . In order for the efforts that will be placed in the
other two subjects to be fertile, the students need to be able to work together and also place value
on issues such as ethics and emotional intelligence, values and attitude. Some of the products and
problem solving students will be required to do in this century and the next, will require of them
to work together and so this subject is very relevant.
In the light of these new subjects and insights about technology that Mr. Prensky has
spoken about, a lot of implications are visible when it comes on to the pedagogical norms of our
society. Today the practices and method of teaching is nothing compare to what Prensky suggests
and as such, if his suggestions are to be implemented it would definitely mean that the norms of
teaching will have to change; the norm where a teacher has to develop lesson plans, to be
literally present in a classroom and provide information or explain content to the student. Even
their practices in college will have to be change. Instead, colleges would have to focus more on
teaching student teachers how to the effectively technology rather than how to teach in specialize
fields. Based on Prenskys article the implication may be drawn that all teachers will have to
change their practices and now focus mainly on understanding technology, learn how to use it
efficiently, learn about the different tools that it offers to develop the different skills such as
problem solving, critical thinking and effective communication but not every teacher would like
to major or focus on technology. Persons have different interests and not everyone is interested in
teaching persons how to use technology, and what about the teachers who are currently in the
field who did not do Information Technology or courses in that field? How will they not make
that switch, these teachers will have to go back and start from scratch. Some of these people will
find it very challenging and it will take up a lot of time.
From his proposal, implications arent only there for teachers but for policy makers as
well. An implication that may be noted form the decision to put this curriculum in place is that
policy makers will have to ensure that the students and teachers have the required equipment and
resources to effectively work with this curriculum, not having resources will only make things
difficult (Karen S. Ivers, 2003). Gadget such as tablets, computers, reliable internet source iPods
and laptops will be needed-which some students cannot afford. This might be difficult since
some schools are in areas where internet services are not accessible. Therefore, policy makers
would have to look into financing ways they will help the school to get these resources and how
they will get the teachers to work with this curriculum efficiently provided that they will be
moving from one pedagogical norm to the next.
It is very important for technology to be properly integrated in lessons. When technology
is integration students will not only become more engaged but they begin to take control of their
own learning (Edutopia, 2007). Effective technology integration changes classroom dynamics
encourages student thinking, action and even relationship. Prensky have a great vision for the
education system and as a result he had made wonderful suggestions in his article. The new
curriculum Prensky proposed in his article entitled our brain extended is a difficult one to
implement. However, I strongly believe that if it is implemented and all stake holders play their

part and the curriculum is funded then it will be a successful development especially for our 21st
century students. Prensky has outlined some points that teachers can implement in their classes
from now to develop some of the skills without pushing the current curriculum a side. Three
forms of technology that a teacher can integrate to enhance students thinking, action and
relationships are the use of stimulus activities in the form of stories, games, social media and
research.
As a primary education teacher I would integrate technology in my classroom to enhance
students thinking, action, relationships and accomplishment by implementing programs that
allow the students to use graphic stories, games or any other stimulation that can help them to see
the different consequences of their actions. These stimulations will help the students to think, to
carry out actions and to see the consequences of these actions. As a primary teacher teaching
science I would allow my class to do lab work find out how they can get polluted water safe for
drinking by using the polluted water along with a piece of plastic and the sun, I would have
students in groups find a way to get purified water and then explain to others how they did it
using just the material that I have given to them. Later I would have student make up their
formula for purifying water by using power point presentation, after doing so I would develop an
interactive game that have students create clean water using Weebly. This game will help them to
make informed decision about what will happen to the water for it to become purified. They
would then get a grade based on how well they present and the accuracy of the information.
Almost all students and most teachers today use Facebook. It is one of the most
accessible tools today. A science teacher can integrate Facebook, into his or her class by creating
a private group that the students will join; there, the teacher would post educational documents
that include passages that will require of the students to think critically and make comments on.
Afterwards the students would be required to take action either by choosing a format to share
correct information about what they have learnt with their friends on Facebook. They would be
graded according to the amounts of likes they get (which will indicate creativity) and also the
accuracy of the information (determined by the teacher). For instance, a teacher is teaching
health and disease, the students would be exposed to documents that they would read and
comment on. They would then be required to make cards or statements, about the disease they
choose stating how it is transmitted, prevented and treated and share it with friends on Facebook
who would give feedbacks.
A lot of students use the internet but not necessarily for doing school work (David
Hought, 2010). A science teacher could require the students to utilize the internet to do research
on products they want to make could be a power point on a topic of their choice, assess the sites
from which to take information and then develop and document the product on a website. As a
reading specialist who is so passionate about reading I would take the opportunity to have my
students use there camera and other technological devices to create short stories depending on
their level then post these stories to a website such as weebly and then invite others to read and
buy their books. To make these sites more appealing I would have the students make video
stories and videos of how they started their book when it was being manufactured and pictures of
the book. The students could later promote their product and seek buyers using their website or

even social media. This activity would show how creative the student is and it will also show
their entreneurship skills as prensky proposed.
Prenskys article thought provoking, it made me realized that there is no limit to
education and it shows things that as educators we should take into consideration. His sentiments
pose a lot of implications for the pedagogical norms of our present education system, the
practices of universities and colleges, policy makers students and, all stake holder in education.
This article calls for an immediate review of the present teaching practices and how we view and
use technology. Prensky has made variety of good points but some are not yet reality and
therefore shows to be unfeasible today in the Jamaican education system and many other
countries in the Caribbean especially those that are developing, However as teachers we need not
close our eyes and be ignorant education is not about us it is all about our students and the
country that we serve.

Personal Philosophy
Technology has become an extension to the current education. Prensky in his article on
technology and education described technology as a powerful learning tool, he further stated that
technology is an extension to our brains (Prensky, 2013). Technology is now at the forefront of
our classroom as students are indulged in using technological devices such as tablets, phones etc.
Technology as Prensky stated is an extension to our brains and if it is used in a correct and
guided way then it can yield great fruits for our present students and the generations to come
Technology is a tool that can be used in the class room to enhance learning and encourage
learning even outside of the classroom but as I have stated before these steps must be guided to
ensure that students understand the good and bad of technology. I therefore take it as my duty to
guide my students in the right part of technology. I will ensure that I educate the students to
understand that even though technology is so great it can also be bad for them. Now that almost
every child have access to a tablet in Jamaica it is now customary for teachers to use sites such as
wiki, Google doc and other to show students how to get their work done on time and in good
condition. Things such as quiz star, ruby star, word press are just a few of the sites that the
teacher can use to keep in contact with the students even when they are not in the classroom.
Our students must be exposed to technology in all means and these means include
educating our students about the things that can go wrong when we abuse the technology world.
This is one topic that must be taught at all cause. Too often we see our children use technology
for a form of recreation however later in the future they are judge base on what is on these
internet sites. As teachers and educators let us face the fact that technology is good but it can be
very harmful for our students. It is for us to let our students understand that what goes on the
internet stays on the internet, and as a result they must think about their future and what they
currently post on the internet.

There are many avenues for our students to excel and failure is never an option when
there are so many tools in the technology world to help students learn. Now that I have a better
understanding of these tools and what they can do for my students I will make it my duty to help
my students put an extension to their brains as technology natives. I strongly believe that
technology is indeed an extension to the brain and it is therefore important for us as educators to
help our students accept and used their extension to the best of their abilities.
Reflection
Education philosophy course was one with many new avenues to learning. When I started
this course I was curious as to what it will bring and how I will receive the content that will be
given. As the days progresses I realized that these contents were basically given to help me as an
educator to enhance learning. The course was a vibrant and it was my pleasure to learn these new
ways to help my students learn and the tools that was developed in the course of the term has
definitely help me as an individual and a teacher.
Being enrolled in this class I better understand how to use technology to enhance my
professional output and develop my personal presentation in a classroom. I am now better equip
when compare to three years ago. I know the best sites to visit for information, places to go to
get fun stuff for my students and most of all I have a guide in doing so. The ISTE and Nets are
programs that were developed to help guide us as instructors in delivering content from the
internet. These programs did not just come about as a guide but it also helped us as teachers to
prepare our lesson pals and our rubrics thus making the work for teachers less hectic.
ISTE is the largest teacher-based, nonprofit organization in the field of educational
technology. Its mission is to help classroom teachers and administrators to enhance the way in
which they teach their students using technology. During the course I was ask to research and
comment on the ISTE program and as a result I found out all that they offered and how I could
use such program to enhance the way in which content is given to my students, as soon as I
found out these programs exist I instantly became a member of that program just to ensure that I
am always on the right part with my students and the way I depart knowledge.

I will ensure that all the new skills that I have learnt will be establish and used in my
classroom as it is my belief that technology is the key to a better Jamaica. Using the different
tools I will be able to get access to my students even when they are not in the classroom. A lot of
the works that currently exist in Jamaica workforce require individuals to be able to use
technological tools. Being introduced to things such as designing my own websites only make
me feel privileged as I will be exploring some more on the technological tools and then pass on
these information to my students knowing that I will be contributing greatly to their employment
status in the near future.
As the time progresses all I can truly say is that I have been transformed as I am better
equip to deal with these children who are better at technology. I am indeed grateful that I have
received this training in technology. I stand in gain as now I am better at preparing the work that

I currently do, writing lesson plans are things of the pass, now we are in with Google doc which
help me and my assistant teacher to prepare lessons together as a result we no longer stay at a
meeting and miss out ion valuable time that could be spent with my family. Technology is indeed
the best thing since humans.
Technology in Education
Children learn best when they are engaged and having fun. Learning should be exciting and
adventurous. Since we are living in the digital age, the traditional way of teaching is a thing of
the past. Technology in education is the most fundamental way of imparting concepts and ideas
to students therefore technology is more than hardware. Technology is like an environment that
engage learners. As a teacher it is important to meet the needs all students in a learner centred
environment. It was said that education is the process of facilitating learning or the acquisition of
knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits. While technology refers to the collection of tools
that make it easier to use, create, manage and exchange information. In the earlier times, the use
of tools by human beings was for the process of discovery and evolution. Tools remained the
same for a long time in the earlier part of the history of mankind but it was also the complex
human behaviours and tools of this era that modern language began as believed by many
archaeologists.

Technology refers the knowledge and utilization of tools, techniques and systems in order to
serve a bigger purpose like solving problems or making life easier and better. Its significance on
humans is tremendous because technology helps them adapt to the environment.

Students often complain that learning is boring and because of such they loss interest going to

school and doing school work. This could be for a number of reasons such as peer pressure, they
dont understand why school is important or they could be having problems with the materials
being presented to them. For whatever reason students is resisting school and learning it is also
the teacher duty to help improve the student's outlook and behaviour.There are many ways a
teacher can improve students attitude toward learning. These include setting an example,
making learning fun, showing why it is important to learn, letting students chose what they are
learning, and, most importantly, helping students if they are struggling with school. These can be
achieved by using technology in education.

It was said to work smarter not harder. Using technology to bring across concepts to be taught
to students, is more effective than the traditional methods. Students learn in many ways, like
seeing, hearing, and experiencing things first hand, so it is important as an educator to plan
lesson that facilitates students learning styles (auditory, visual, tactile, kinesthetic, spatial etc.).
Using technology in classroom will caters to the students learning styles based on the fact that
teachers can used technology as a tool to enhance their lesson. For example: use power point
mathematics lesson with animated slides to keep students focused while they learn about basic
addition using numbers from one to ten or create a digital story via power point for a language
arts lesson. There are many web tools teachers can choose from which will enhance their lesson
such as movie makers, Facebook, Weebly, YouTube etc.

It was said that (MahnazMoallem) new and emerging technologies have given educators the
opportunity to create an environment that can engage learners in active, constructivist,
intentional, authentic, and cooperative learning. Computer technology is not simply
conveyor or communicator of meaning, nor should it prescribe and control all of the learner
interactions. Technology must support learning-by-doing (process of knowledge construction),
learning by conversing, and learning by reflecting. It should function as intellectual tool kits that
enable learners to build more meaningful personal interpretations and representations of the
world.

In conclusion technology in education will make teaching and learning fun in the classroom.
Technology in education will fosters and enhance learning. I support and encourage educators to
incorporate technology in their lessons at all times.

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