Running head: CRITIQUE OF ARTICLE

Critique of Article
Junelle Smith
CH 20128990
Church Teachers College

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Identify and discuss three (3) of the new subjects Prensky proposes and
examine their relevance in the 21st century.

As a powerful learning tool, technology enhances our capabilities in all domains. Not
only can it help in surprising ways with things we still require from the past, such as test
preparation, but it's also a sine qua non for many new capabilities, such as database usage.
(Prensky, 2013) Prensky proposed the three new subjects which are as follows effective thinking,
effective action and effective relationships.
Effective thinking moves beyond self-centered views of the universe to a broader, more
abstract realm. This means expanding thinking beyond the egocentric values and limited life
experiences (Meyer, 1986). Prensky believes that technology can be viewed as thinking
extender through tools like simulation that show students the consequences of their actions in a
variety of contexts and circumstances. He went on further to say that students would learn from
the earliest grades how to involve world databases, knowledge, sources, and teams in their
thinking processes for example, by creating and analyzing their own surveys of worldwide
student opinion on current topics. As the years progress, students would learn about mindfulness;
historical elements of human thinking (tool creation, logic, deduction, induction, calculus, and so
on); dangerous flaws in human thinking (for example, Daniel Kahneman's exploration into the
irrational ways we make decisions about risk); critical analysis; scientific thinking; mathematical
thinking; systematic skills for problem solving; and ways to obtain self-knowledge of one's
strengths and passions. Teachers would teach these skills, with both reading and technology as
deep foundations. In other words what this saying is that technology encourages students to think
outside of the box. For example in teaching of mathematics, science, social studies, and language
arts have the students being encouraged to look beyond the general knowledge of content area. In
this 21st century it is very important effective thinking within the classroom with students having
an input in their learning process. They are better able to see the relevance of the content taught
because they can question and read up on the necessary information to satisfy their enquiring
minds.
Effective action is the second subject proposed by Prensky. He mentioned in his article
that would begin by fostering Steven Covey's seven (now eight) habits of highly effective people

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be proactive, begin with the end in mind, put first things first, and so on from the earliest grades.
It would include increasingly complex challenges in persistence, entrepreneurship, and project
management and focus on creative ways to break down barriers and get things done. In other
words students would be required to get their priorities right and work as such. Students in this
subject would most likely to be give projects to carry out which involves businesses. For
example the students could be asked to design and implement a day care system for their
community. It could have been that their community has high rate of unemployed persons.
Having an action plan place for this would help students to come up with new innovative ideas
of getting the task at hand done with the aid of technology. So they could possibly install the
latest technological tools to help monitor their new business. At the end of this venture students
should be able to revisit the drawing board and find means by which they can improve the plan
set out. This is relevant in 21st century as it allows students to see the benefits of things such as
entrepreneurship the ups and downs of owning a business, as well as ways in which to correct
financial issues which will arise from time. Also it integral in the 21st century because it allows
students to come together and have a feel of the business world as they compete against each
other and build up where necessary.
Thirdly is effective relationships which is the final subject proposed by Prensky. The
online dictionary defines relationship as the way in which two or more people or things are
connected, or the state of being connected. So from reading an article he spoke about this subject
basically it fosters high levels communication skills among the persons involved for would be
on a one on one, peer groups. According to Prensky it would focus on relationships in both the
real and virtual worlds and teach students to negotiate a modern world in which both real and
virtual are equally important. This subject would also include ethics, citizenship, and politics.
How is this relevant to the 21st century? Ethics goes a long way in this society irrespective of
how intellectual a student is it is important that they have norms and values. It also allows
students to work together so if a student is slow in the class a fast student can assist them.

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How will this new way of teaching impact traditional pedagogical norms?
Explore (1) implication of embracing this new curriculum from the teachers
perspective.
Well with everything there are advantages and disadvantages. As it relates to the impact
of traditional pedagogical norms being taught in a new way it would positive than negative in my
opinion. The terms traditional pedagogical norms simply means the way in which the students
would carry out their tasks. For example manually write with pencil/pen and paper. Now students
can still have this traditional practice only in a slightly different manner. Students would still be
required to write based on the program selected to be used. With this new way students will be
motivated to work as in 21st century is known as the technological era. It would also allow
students who are less likely to have access to basic technology the opportunity to tap into such
opportunity. Positivity resulting from this new method is also dependent on the teacher and
students as well as the cultural background of the community.
However with that said the teacher may view this new method to be poor or even in some
cases lacking content on technologically based. The teacher may be old schooled as such he or
she may not want to integrate technology based on such grounds. Another issue arising from
unwillingness of teachers is that all teachers are not technology inclined. With that said the
teachers may have access to the technology and cannot use it effectively as it was designed to be
used. For example there is online tutorial to be done by teachers in possibly ways of using
technological tools in the classroom in some cases if teachers do attend they seek to pinpoint the
most technological teacher to do the task given. Things happening such as this defeat the purpose
of even introducing the program to the teacher.

Describe one (1) implication of instituting this new curriculum from a policy
makers perspective.

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Research literature throughout the past decade has shown that technology can enhance
literacy development, impact language acquisition, provide greater access to information,
support learning, motivate students, and enhance their self-esteem (ACT, 2004; CEO Forum,
2001; Boster et al., 2004; Mann et al., 1999; Tracey & Young, 2006; WestEd, 2002). Indeed,
researchers have affirmed that computer technology provides abundant opportunities for students
to build or modify their personal knowledge through the rich experiences that technology
affords. Lack of resources would be the most the dominant issue of instituting this new
curriculum proposed Prensky.
Now with the Jamaican economy the way it is less likely for the government to
implement this curriculum. Bearing in mind that the government though it has allocated a
reasonable amount from the general it is never enough. There is a possibility that they may be
able to start the program but then stop in the middle. It could also be a situation where the
resources of unfairly distributed for example schools within the rural areas are put at a
disadvantage and the urban schools adequately distributed. Also the new curriculum after its
implementation will need they program need to be maintained as to enquire maximum results
from the program. In concluding the new curriculum would have to be done an better fashion as
in to fit Jamaicas financial budget but at the same time promoting upmost best outcome in
students.

Using relevant examples, give details of three (3) ways in which the teacher
could integrate technology in teaching and learning, to aid in enhancing
effective: thinking, action, relationships and accomplishments in a current
subject area of his/her choice.

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Technology has become component of the educational process, however too often it is separate
and not integrated into the learning experience. Integrating technology into the curriculum is a
priority if not a mandate in most schools today. According to educationalword.com most
educational technology experts agree, however, that technology should be integrated, not as a
separate subject or as a once-in-a-while project, but as a tool to promote and extend student
learning on a daily basis. Now with that said technology can be used to emphasize effective
thinking, action and relationships.
For several students, history is only a subject in a book; one that's unrelated to real people, real
events, or todays news. Nevertheless history according to dictionary.com is a continuous,
systematic narrative of past events as relating to aparticular people, country, period, person, etc.,
usually written as achronological account. The teacher could personalize history lessons for
students by beginning each history lesson with a visit to Today in History or This Day in History.
With the Today in History website students required to travel in time they are then given their
dates and along with the date they received the will gain knowledge on happenings within the
past five years. The information is brief and to the point. This Day in History is actually a
website which has videos each day they see another video depicting a past event. The teacher
could use either of websites to introduce their lesson. How would this connect with effective
thinking? The teacher could use this as they could be brainstorming the topic for example my
ancestors in history. Have the students brainstorm the concept before or during incorporating or
integrating technology.
Effective action can be implemented in the teaching of Mathematics. For example the teacher
will have students placed in groups of four dependent on the class size. In their groups the will
make their different business proposals for their different businesses whether it be restaurant,

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salon, shop and so on. The teacher will guide students as to common things to be done when
making a business proposal as well as running the business. So the students would have a first
hand experience on what it is to propose and own their own businesses. From this experience
they are able to clear misconceptions and possibly no whether or not they business oriented.
Finally is the aspect of integrating effective relationship. The teacher can have the students in
pairs or other small groups and say for example the teacher is teaching Social Studies and the
topic is Types of Families. The teacher can have each group getting their family and present the
information in a digital format whether digital storytelling or any other form of creative way with
the use of technology.

References

(n.d.). Retrieved March 30, 2015, from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/history

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Erika. (2011). Report on: Integrating technology to meet the needs of 21st century
http://www.education.com/reference/article/what-impact-technology-learning/
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech146.shtml
http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital
%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf
Integrating Tech: More Than Just Having Computers. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2015, from
learners. Retrieve from http://eseiter.blogspot.com/
Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives, digital immigrants. Retrieved from
What is the Impact of Technology on Learning? (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2015, from