How does a digital immigrant teach interesting classes?

I am aware that I am a digital immigrant but I consider myself a teacher who is open to new technologies and I am concerned with the impact they bring to education. With the pandemic and consequent increase in online classes, I have discovered Instagram as a great source for getting students´ attention and promoting classes. With the aid of websites such as “Profes” and “Super Prof” I am learning how to give more dynamic classes.

However, one of the challenges I still face is how to teach grammar in a criative way, for instance, because I have to "learn new ways to do old stuff”, like Mark Prensky predicted teachers should. The use of authentic material such as Youtube videos and the need to engage students in online tools are some of the ideas I had during this course to help change my mindset and make my classes more digital.

Other aspect that I need to improve is to combine different and simultaneous activities in one single class. Digital natives are much more prepared for this reality, but dealing with new technologies makes us more able to face this challenge.

I enjoyed very much the insight about combining the needs of the students with our expertise because we have a valuable material that we just have to adapt to the new generation. We also must be aware that we may have some problems with internet connection and structural issues that we may overcome having a plan B. We cannot forget that what matters is the way students interact when acquiring new knowledge. Quoting Sir Ken Robinson, technology on its own doesn't do much; it's what you do with it. 

In sum, we have to work hard and keep on studying new ways to teach in order to keep on promoting interesting classes for our students.

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