Use what they love to enhance engagement

 The differences in today's child and our childhood are vastly different.  In schools, teachers are commanded to close the gaps.  A new GAP is the difference between us and "them."  As in other similar situations, teachers need to find ways to bridge the gap.  As I stated before, teachers have to stop dwelling on what their previous classes were like and start asking themselves how they can reach this group.  There is no time for asking how to change the students. Instead we need to reflect on how we can change our practices.  We are dealing with a group of children who are very different from anything we have taught or understand.  The need to learn remains the same, while the process needs to change.

When I was a kid, I was engaged by a film strip presentations and calculator games in school.  My teachers expected me to learn all the material exposed to me in whichever manner she presented it.  Just years ago, the focus for engagement was to be hands on.  The technology we were expected to use was still calculators and rulers.  Later on, we had opportunities for lap tops.  Even then, the programs available do not even compare to what is available today.

Today, to be relevant, we have to not only use technology, but to be current in what we use.  Since programs outdate themselves and the trends are constantly changing, teachers have to explore what is available regularly to ensure they are still relevant. Why is this all important?

Exposure to technology is important because it is our future.  The end of pencil, paper, and pen days are quickly approaching because technology has made communication, engagement, and presenting information much easier.  We are people who thrive on the fastest and easiest approaches to solving problems and completing work.  Improvements in these area are developing at an incredible rate.  Our children need to understand how technology works so they can be prepared to use it in their futures.  They will need the background knowledge now so they can build upon it later.