Making new connections with new tools

As we race into the 21st century, new technologies are developing faster than we can master them.  As interpreters, we have the privilege to introduce the many resources, both natural and cultural, of our land to a new generation; one that is composed of digital natives.  Digital natives* are those that are born into a digital culture, while digital immigrants* where born before the development the culture; learning the culture and technologies as a foreign language.  Let’s be honest…most interpreters are digital immigrants, making communicating with the natives a difficult and frustrating task.

A Journey we must take…so let’s take it together….

If we, as interpreters, are to be successful in connecting this naturally, tech savvy native to our resources, we must walk boldly into this new land and learn to speak their language.  Summer of 2016, I have embarked on a journey into a new land; one that I have only hesitantly peeked into from the borders, until now.  Through a graduate level class, Technology for Educators, I have been introduced to some amazing formats, technologies, and applications that can, if embraced, enhance my interpretive techniques and methods while striving to relate to the digital native.

What’s the Purpose?

My first interpretive coach told me, “You don’t have to re-invent the wheel”.  That said, I’m a firm believer in collaborations, finding out what is working for others, and sharing what is working for me.   So, the purpose of this blog is to:

• connect with other interp-types
• continually learning new approaches, to reach a new generation…and share
• explore how those technologies can be used in interpretation…and share
• seek feedback…then, explore more…and share
• establish a safe environment for open collaborations and support

* Digital native and digital immigrant are terms introduced by education consultant Marc Prensky.