To some degree I understand where Prensky (2008) is trying to get at, Prensky's (2008) main point states

the idea that teachers should resist using technology to teach students, rather the students should be
utilizing it to teach themselves. I understand that students should take on the opportunity of using
technology and teach themselves however, Personally, I think Prensky's idea is too extreme on one side
of the spectrum, stating that most teachers should not use technology at all. Instead of taking such an
extreme position, most teachers should embrace technology and use it as a way to help students.
Teachers would not be forced to use technology, but rather educated as to its benefits to the teacher
and the student. Some of these benefits include creating a more engaged environment, incorporating
different learning styles, improving collaboration, preparing children for the future, and allowing
teachers to connect with students. (Walden University, n.d.). If teachers realize the benefits they can
bring to students, they will undoubtedly make the effort to adopt and use technology, which also has
benefits for teachers, creating a more stimulating environment and easing their workload.

In highlighting Prensky's (2008) point "The teacher's role should not be a technological role, but an
intellectual role", I believe this in itself is contradictory as it emphasizes that the teacher's role should be
an intellectual role, however, how can one claim the role of "intellectual" if they cannot even use
technology themselves. To claim the role of "intellectual," one must constantly learn and evolve one's
teaching philosophy and style, adding to one's personal experiences and skills.

In conclusion, the world is constantly changing, and with the introduction of something new, usually the
older generation objects to many of the new ideologies and becomes stuck in their ways. Rather than
seeing this as a challenge or a burden, "older" teachers can be helped to utilize technology and embrace
it in their classrooms. To add to the previous point, I believe that, as educators, we should always be
evolving and learning new things. How can we, as educators, expect students to learn or use technology
if we ourselves cannot make the same effort to do so? The classroom should be an engaging and
supportive learning environment for both teacher and student.

Prensky, M. (2008). The Role of Technology in teaching and the classroom. Educational Technology.
Retrieved on July 14, 2020 from http://marcprensky.com/writing/PrenskyThe_Role_of_Technology-ET-
11-12-08.pdf

Walden University. (n.d). Top 5 Benefits of Technology in the Classroom. Retrieved on July 14, 2020 from
https://www.waldenu.edu/programs/education/resource/top-five-benefits-oftechnology-in-the-
classroom