It's interesting how often I hear the myth, repeated by one of my students, that someone older than 40 can't "do" technology. In the same breath, it's often repeated that younger students are somehow inherently better at it.
Full disclosure: I used to hold that same attitude. But now, my answer is Yes and no.
What I've seen after nearly 10 years of teaching in Higher Ed with education students is that younger students may be more knowledgeable about what social media (or other technologies) are out there and how to use them. However, the lack of classroom experience combined with developing critical thinking skills means that many of these students aren't able to the apply that knowledge in an educational setting. Sometimes, the lack of transfer remains true as a student AND as a teacher. In contrast, many of my older students have been able to pick up the use of a technology solution they were previously unaware of. When combined with a depth of experience, are able to then elucidate why and how given solution might be useful in their teaching context.
So, why is that this myth remains so firmly entrenched in our social consciousness? Do we, even as educators, believe that knowing how to use a technology is the same as knowing how to teach with it? If so, do we truly undervalue our own profession that much?
