My name is Jeff Renfrew and I am looking forward to being a part of this PLP. I am married and have three children (two of which are already in school). I have been teaching for approximately 3.5 years in a variety of grades and with varying degrees of access to technology. I have witnessed teachers who were surging ahead with their use of technology in the classroom, and it has encouraged me in my own approach to teaching. Ever since I read Marc Prensky’s article “Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants” I have been more aware of the fact that the students I teach will be more techno-savvy than me. My age places me between both worlds, but I know that it is only a matter of time before my children are teaching me. It is my hope that through this process I will become more equipped to integrate technology into my teaching practice, and more aware of the different opportunities that exist.
Prensky’s statement “Our students have changed radically. Today’s students are no longer the people our educational system was designed to teach.” is what drives me to find new ways to engage the children in my classroom, as well as, help my own children with their learning. I hope that I can learn more about this new reality and how I can be a catalyst for change within it.
Ever since I read Marc Prensky’s article “Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants” I have been more aware of the fact that the students I teach will be more techno-savvy than me. My age places me between both worlds, but I know that it is only a matter of time before my children are teaching me. It is my hope that through this process I will become more equipped to integrate technology into my teaching practice, and more aware of the different opportunities that exist.
Prensky’s statement “Our students have changed radically. Today’s students are no longer the people our educational system was designed to teach.” is what drives me to find new ways to engage the children in my classroom, as well as, help my own children with their learning. I hope that I can learn more about this new reality and how I can be a catalyst for change within it.