Journal #9

Coach, Nurture, or Nudge: How do you learn technology best?
by Kimberley Ketterer

This article discusses three different learning styles to learn how to incorporate technology in the classroom: the coaching style, the nurturing style, and the nudging style.
The coaching style of learning are learners who have confidence in incorporating technology in the classroom. They are willing to take risks as long as they have a "coach" or a colleague who supports them along the way.
The nurturing style of learning includes learners who want technology in the classroom, but lack confidence to even begin to incorporate lessons. These learners are afraid to take risks and need "nurturing" or encouragement from a teacher partner to initiate lesson incorporating technology and to build confidence.
The last learning style and most opposite of the coaching style is the Nudging style. These learners are very skeptical about the effectiveness of technology in the classroom. They will only incorporate and take technology courses when necessary. Basically, these learners practically do the bare minimum of what is required in education.

Which learning style is best for you?
I can definitely relate the coaching style. I was born in the age of computers and so learning more about newly updated technology is fun and interesting. I believe incorporating technology on a daily basis in the classroom is a very effective learning tool for students today.

What is the real digital divide in our education al system?
According to Ketterer, "...it is the digital difference between teachers who embrace the integration of technology into their classroom versus those who choose not to welcome all that technology has to offer today's classroom environment".