Mark Prensky Do They Really Think Differently? and Wesch The Machine is Us/ing Us

It is interesting to look at technology as a second language. My generation of the early 80’s have grown with the new age. The generation of the 90’s don’t know anything different than technology. If their computer goes down, register, calculator, phone or Ipad then that individual finds themselves lost without a prayer. Marc Prensky’s Digital Natives Digital Immigrants proves this statement to be true. Students have found Wrench Monkey to be amazing to learn new tools and strategies instead of the traditional lecture. The reading that followed also by Mark Prensky Do They Really Think Differently? Talks about the cultural environment can mold the thinking of one’s environment. So people who experience the same situation in different parts of the world will respond to the situation in different ways based on the “different” thought process. Further example would be the cultural difference of people which causes questioning of one’s decision making because that is what values have been instilled. Wesch The Machine is Us/ing Us dives into the idea that we as a society become the technology we use daily. The example that comes to mind is texting in which auto-correct will learn what you normally type whether it be an acronym or a blend of words that you tend not to separate. My view point on the reading of Prensky was mid blowing. I found that I didn’t view our technology as a language but it truly is. I was thoroughly intrigued by the concept that teachers struggle to move with the times. This reading is the outline of how the older generation prior to the digital age feel. Wesch youtube made me a little confused by how fast the video went. I found myself a little lost throughout the video to keep up with the computer scripts. Things that were demonstrated in the video distracted me from the point they were trying to make.