Digital Natives or Digitally Naive
Are today's students really Digital Natives as Marc Prensky defines them or are they just Digitally Naive? Yes it is true that 'Students are not just using technology differently today, but are approaching their life and daily activities differently because of technology' (Prensky, 2006:40) however, is this change productive or counter productive?
Prensky (2006) discusses the key areas of change that Digital Natives have embraced shedding a positive light on each area. Although there are many benefits to this technological change, there are many questions that could be raised in relation to change.
Digital Natives Communicate Differently
Digital Natives use an array of technologies that enable synchronous and asynchronous communication using their mobiles to text or Internet technology to instant message an array of people at one time. Instant communication is at the forefront of their communication where they want quick, short responses rather than a lengthily wait for a response.
There are questions to be posed regarding this style of communication:
Can our Digital Natives focus on one thread of a conversation or are they hyperlinking between many?
Do they have the patience to wait for a response rather than demand instant communication?
Can they create well constructed correspondences that are well thought out, have depth and clearly communicate a view or opinion or do they quickly create and send?
Do they think before they communicate on their social media sites and what the implications of their words or images will have on a wider audience?
Digital Natives Share Differently
Today's technology opens the doors of closed in communities to share with the wider world whether others want to be informed or not. Sharing is no longer confined to the physical aspect and location base restriction of collaboration but is extended through an array of technologies. I am a great believer in sharing knowledge, ideas and skill with others but there are questions to be asked.
To share or not share that is the questions - do our Digital Natives share too much information or not?
Do our Digital Natives understand the repercussions of sharing various aspects of their life to an open audience?
Will out Digital Natives need to change their identities in the future to flee their online past that will haunt them?
Digital Natives Buy and Sell Differently
The high street stores are no longer the only means of purchasing products where they can adjust their price according to their location. The Internet enables consumers the ability to shop around from the comfort of their homes to compare prices and read reviews created by others. Consumers no longer need to rely on only the sale's representatives advertising pitch but those of the consumer. The ability to sell products no longer requires the restrictions of building a business or standing in the cold on a Sunday at a local car boot sale. The internet enables all to place products online to sell to a wider audience. Again a few questions can be asked?
Do our Digital Natives understand the true value of money or do they just use a card number to purchase without any true thought for how much they are spending?
What will make a product stand out from the crowd when all are selling online?
Digital Natives Exchange Differently
Exchanging images, music and videos are at the heart of sharing at no cost to the recipient. This raises the question:
Do our Digital Natives understand copyright or are they ignorant to ownership and permissions?
Digital Natives Create Differently
This is one area that our Digital Natives excel in where they create, co-create and innovate using technology. Creating movies, websites, Apps, games etc are at the heart of many Digital Natives where they do not just want to consume information but create it. There are excellent examples of Digital Natives using their creative skills in innovative ways however, there are a few that abuse the system and create content that is inappropriate. Youtube is one area where Digital Natives like to create and share with a wider audience. This leads to the question:
Do Digital Natives understand the implications of their creations on a wider audience?
Digital Natives Coordinate Differently
Working collaboratively online is one of the key attributes of today's technology and our Digital Natives embrace this aspect. Working together anytime, anyplace, anywhere is now part of society rather than having to restrictions of location collaboration. Working together to deepen knowledge or brainstorm ideas can be undertaken much simpler through connected technologies. There are many excellent forms of collaboration taking place globally however the question that could be asked:
Does the voice of the crowd become a mob where there are no key players in some groups to facilitate and filter the lone expert voice from the crowd?
The above are just a few questions posed related to today's Digital Natives. These questions are not all my views but ones that could be discussed by the global audience. What are your views on Digital Natives from experience, research or your personal opinions? Share these views and start a discussion with tomorrow's teachers who will be reflecting on Prensky's notion of Digital Natives over the next few days.
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89 comments:
The points you make about how our young people share, exchange, communicate, buy and sell, etc are brilliant 'starters for 10', and I hope they generate the conversation they deserve!
However, I can't help feeling that one of the biggest mistakes we make when we look at the effects of digital and networking technology on our lives and the lives of others is to make value judgements. The effects are what they are - no more and no less - and to pretend that we can moralise about those effects is pointless and counter-productive.
So when we look at a question such as the one you pose here, Sharon, I think the correct reaction is to try to understand the reality for young people and children today. The wrong reaction - because it is a futile reaction - is to attempt to take a moral or ethical stance on how young people and children cope (or not) with digital technologies.
For me the obvious answer to the question you pose is that the two positions are not mutually exclusive: I believe that children are both digital natives and digitally naive. In other words, young people today have grown up in a world in which such technology simply 'IS' - this has undoubtedly coloured their lives in multifarious ways. It is simply a fact of life for them. However, there is no magical element in the make-up of young people today that means that they somehow are able to acquire an intrinsic knowledge of what is good and bad about those technologies they have grown up with. Like every single generation that has preceded them, they are naive natives - they have grown up in a particular context, but their knowledge of the dynamics of that context is, unsurprisingly, limited. The main tool we have used since humanity began to counteract this kind of naivety is, of course, education.
In any case, perhaps 'naive' is the wrong word. Perhaps simply 'ignorant' is a better, more accurate description. And what better solution to ignorance than education?
So, the issue is not whether children are native or naive about technology - the real issue is what do we as adults do about it? All around me, in every single country I visit, I see adults pretending that this is not their problem. I see teachers who tell themselves that they have no responsibility to teach our youngsters how to make effective use of the Web, how to stay safe online (something that all the firewalls, filters and security features in existence will never achieve), how to discriminate between useful, useless and downright dangerous information on the Web…and so on.
Basically, while the vast majority of teachers (and adults generally) continue to abrogate their responsibilities to the digital lives of our young people, questions about net-naivety can only be asked and answered in what is effectively a kind of bad faith. How can teachers teach effective use of the Web when only a tiny minority of teachers actually know how to use it effectively in their own lives? Until we all accept, as adults, our responsibilities to the lives that our children are leading now and into the future, we really have no right to judge how they struggle to make sense of the world they find themselves in.
The points you make about how our young people share, exchange, communicate, buy and sell, etc are brilliant 'starters for 10', and I hope they generate the conversation they deserve!
However, I can't help feeling that one of the biggest mistakes we make when we look at the effects of digital and networking technology on our lives and the lives of others is to make value judgements. The effects are what they are - no more and no less - and to pretend that we can moralise about those effects is pointless and counter-productive.
So when we look at a question such as the one you pose here, Sharon, I think the correct reaction is to try to understand the reality for young people and children today. The wrong reaction - because it is a futile reaction - is to attempt to take a moral or ethical stance on how young people and children cope (or not) with digital technologies.
For me the obvious answer to the question you pose is that the two positions are not mutually exclusive: I believe that children are both digital natives and digitally naive. In other words, young people today have grown up in a world in which such technology simply 'IS' - this has undoubtedly coloured their lives in multifarious ways. It is simply a fact of life for them. However, there is no magical element in the make-up of young people today that means that they somehow are able to acquire an intrinsic knowledge of what is good and bad about those technologies they have grown up with. Like every single generation that has preceded them, they are naive natives - they have grown up in a particular context, but their knowledge of the dynamics of that context is, unsurprisingly, limited. The main tool we have used since humanity began to counteract this kind of naivety is, of course, education.
In any case, perhaps 'naive' is the wrong word. Perhaps simply 'ignorant' is a better, more accurate description. And what better solution to ignorance than education?
So, the issue is not whether children are native or naive about technology - the real issue is what do we as adults do about it? All around me, in every single country I visit, I see adults pretending that this is not their problem. I see teachers who tell themselves that they have no responsibility to teach our youngsters how to make effective use of the Web, how to stay safe online (something that all the firewalls, filters and security features in existence will never achieve), how to discriminate between useful, useless and downright dangerous information on the Web…and so on.
Basically, while the vast majority of teachers (and adults generally) continue to abrogate their responsibilities to the digital lives of our young people, questions about net-naivety can only be asked and answered in what is effectively a kind of bad faith. How can teachers teach effective use of the Web when only a tiny minority of teachers actually know how to use it effectively in their own lives? Until we all accept, as adults, our responsibilities to the lives that our children are leading now and into the future, we really have no right to judge how they struggle to make sense of the world they find themselves in.
Sharon,
I wasn't able to enter my blog's URL as an identifier for some reason, so I have taken the liberty of posting my response to your question on my own blog, at:
http://www.johnconnell.co.uk/blog/?p=2555
John Connell
Lots of interesting points here to chew over. I think my view on the whole digital natives thing has changed over the past couple of years based on the growing contact I've had with students. There are some who can do all these so-called digital native activities but I've come across many students who have no idea of the online tools and technologies that can be used to support collaboration and group working and their personal learning.
Tom Whitby recently blogged on 'Native Reality' http://tomwhitby.wordpress.com/2010/08/16/221/ One thing he said which struck a chord with me was,
"Students entering college are a product of our secondary system. We are producing FaceBook-Savvy students with technology skills that amount to texting and downloading music. Those are not even skills learned in school, but mostly self-taught." I think there's may be a few grains of truth in this.
You raise the question of whether so called digital natives understand copyright. I'm not sure they do, but then I think the same holds true for academics who think it's ok to use something because it's on google images etc.
I would agree that the generation who've grown up with technology do expect instant communication, but again I think we all do. In the days of letters we would wait weeks for a response, now with email everyone seems to expect an instant response.
I'll be interested to see what others think.
I agree with you John that they are both 'Natives & Naive' in that they embrace the technology that surrounds them with great enthusiasm but are naive to the repercussions of some of their actions.
This was highlighted by Eric Schmidt in his recent article in The Independent where he talked about his fears for Generation Facebook where he stated 'I don't believe society understands what happens when everything is available, knowable and recorded by everyone all the time.' He goes on further to say that 'The internet is the first thing that humanity has built that humanity doesn't understand...' (http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/google-chief-my-fears-for-generation-facebook-2055390.html).
This generation, never mind the so called Net Gens or Digital Natives, but this generation where a span of different generations use social networking site as a way to communicate, collaborate and connect, embrace the technology but in some cases are naive, ignorant, blind to the repercussions of some of their actions.
Maybe many should adopt the saying 'think before you speak' to 'think before you publish' as the typed word has a stronger lasting impression that the verbal one.
All around us are people claiming that technology is 'infantilising' the human mindwhere Greenfield warns social networking sites are changing children's brains, resulting in selfish and attention deficient young people (http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/feb/24/social-networking-site-changing-childrens-brains). This is a bit harsh in my view but I am not a professor in educational psychology. I do know, that today's generation are no more selfish than previous generations and where people are being classed as 'attention deficient' is maybe a label to quickly place on someone who has an active mind but the learning and teaching they are made to do does not match that learning style.
I perceive my role as preparing out future generation of teachers to embrace the technology and model good practice. We can run from this but we can't hide!
Greenfield, of course, is simply an idiot, a so-called scientist who has succumbed to the worst kind of anti-science mumbo-jumbo. Nick Carr ('Google makes us Stupid' & 'The Shallows', his recent book) is making a mountain out of a molehill in order to sell his book. And it's working, because there are enough people out there willing to yield to unthinking prejudice and listen to his brand of nonsense.
Back in the real world, such pointless meanderings simply don't matter to the reality of how we all (not just young people) cope with the shifting sands of digital and networking technologies.
I agree with you - strongly - that many using these technologies are "...naive, ignorant, blind to the repercussions of some of their actions...".
The response, which I know you agree with, is not to shout that we're all going to hell in a handcart, but to ensure that we educate the younger generations to make powerful, safe and discriminating use of the possibilities now offered them. The problem is, as I say, only a tiny minority of teachers understand the problem or are willing to do something about it in the classroom. A teacher today who is not versed in the ways of the Web is simply not able to do their job properly, I believe!
'Do they think before they communicate on their social media sites and what the implications of their words or images will have on a wider audience?'
This is what worries me most. I don't worry so much about the young people that I teach as we discuss implications at length and they do an 'apprenticeship' from P4 on in the brilliant (and much underused in scotland)environment that is Superclubsplus!
I absolutely agree with John that 'the real issue is what do we as adults do about it?'
The young people that I see posting potentially damaging (for them) comments on Social Networking sites are young adults and, indeed, some young teachers!
Many of these ayoung adults completely slipped any educational net as their teachers were likely not discussing future implications with them, as sadly still is not always happening.
I think we need more rigid guidance for teachers so that this educational area can no longer be ignored by some!
Some interesting questions are raised in talking about digital natives and the way they use technology. Facebook is an interesting example as I remember in my first year of university when Facebook had just "appeared" and suddenly all the talk was of 'have you got a Facebook account?'
We all adapted to this new/different use of the internet and at that time didn't think about exposing ourselves and our personal information to everyone and anyone out there. Some of us have gradually learned that this is not the way to go, just think of the stories you hear of bosses checking Facebook etc..
We need to somehow educate children about this.
So with that in mind I agree with John Connell about being a digtal native but also naive.
But one thing that I have seen is that you cannot underestimate children with technology, somehow they just know how to use something and this ability that they have is something for us adults to harness and whether it's affecting their brain is something that should be studied properly over time.
I just hope that everyone can embrace the digital world whether a native, naive or immigrant and as TecnoTeach has rightly commented as teachers embrace this and model good practice.
I am in agreement with both John and Shirley regarding the points they have made.
The unwillingness to grasp 21st century learning, into the classroom environment, by a large proportion of the teaching profession only contributes to the already naive and ignorant attitudes adopted by some 'Digital Natives'.
Digital Natives located within classrooms around the globe can easily recognise 'Digital Immigrants' in the form of the class teacher. Today’s technological age, and curriculum, in which promotion and encouragement of learning through technologies including: game based learning, interactive smartboards and handheld learning devices, provides endless opportunities for both ‘Digital Natives’ and ‘Digital Immigrants’ to increase their awareness of the digital age and the repercussions which exist through the usage of digital tools such as social networking sites and IM. However, this ambition can only fabricate into reality with the full support of the teaching profession as a whole, opposed to a few advocates loitered around within a handful of schools.
The inability of the teacher to adapt and embrace these new innovations can only lead to a continuation of the ‘technophobe’ generation - thus offloading negative connotations associated with technology upon the children.
I myself am a student and would be interested to hear the thoughts and opinions of others on this subject which is relatively new to me.
Digital immigrants can never hope to 'keep up' with the Digital Natives whose best interests they supposedly serve. It's akin to acquiring a foreign language as an adult and expecting to fully understand all the colloquialisms and subtleties therein. At best, we (I count myself as a sorry immigrant), can only try our best to instill in our DNs, self worth, integrity and a reminder that, for the sake of the human race, it's sometimes good to talk.
I struggle with John's notion that Susan Greenfield is an idiot and would hazard, in accordance with Gemma's view, that science has much to reveal about the effects on the human brain of such fast technologies.
I am in agreement with Jenni that as an adult we are always playing catch-up with the new technologies. Not only is it a foreign language to many, it is a language that continually changes. You are not only learning for today but finding ways to create foundations for learning for the other innoventions/innovations that will be introduced tomorrow.
It appears that we are verging on an agreement that it is our roles as teachers to not wash this new style of communication and collaboration under the floor but engage with it and model good practice so that today's generation are aware of the right and wrong way to use technologies. What we need to be aware is that no matter how much we teach right from wrong, there are always going to be the minority who revert to the wrong.
The article is extremely interesting. Thanks for giving us the chance to read and comment on this one. The discussion point raised by John and others, that we must take children as they are and not judge them as either native or naive is a good one. I would be strongly inclined to agree with this:
Children are most certainly not digitally naive, Tonner and Pensky themselves stated how they can: buy, sell, interact, cheat, play and engage with ease. We all know the scenario of a Mum fumbling with the three remotes on the sofa while the five year old child flicks the DVD player on and selects the desired chapter. I therefore cannot see 'naive' as an acceptable term for children with technology. They know what to do.
Native, however is another matter.
"Native", suggests to me that it is natural substance of some kind- something that is intrinsically, "safe". Can anyone be "natural" with something that is so man-made, a technological world we have contrived for our comfort? It's wonderful children understand it, it's wonderful children use it, it is even more wonderful when adults use it for the betterment of life, but it is not "naturally" human. We do not teach children to breath, we teach them to use computerized technology.
As it is a lesson taught we have a responsibility to tech it well. Let's not call any flaw in children's behaviour online our "naivety", let's call it our "neglect." As we fail to realise that although technology may not be native, it is invading our culture rapidly. The more we teach our children to use it for the better, I honestly believe the better it will be.
I have read all the points and I think I can see arguments for all sides. I think it can be hard to keep upto date with the ever changing technology around us, but I don't neccessarily thinks that makes us 'immigrants'.
These comments have certainly opened my eyes. Technology is advancing at such a rate it is understandable some of us are being left behind.
As a digital immigrant educator I believe we don't necessarily need to change; but we do need to know the language being spoken and be able to use it. Over and out!
Having read everyone points, i do believe that there are some interesting points mentioned.
I believe that today's young people are using technology like never before and agree with Gemma when she says that young people just seem to understand how to use any technology.
Having a younger sister who is extremeley reliant on on technology, I agree that as she is using it, she is probably not aware of the implications of sharing and communicating on the internet can have. Technology plays a huge part in todays society and is not something we can change. With regards to this, I agree with Johns comment "what do we do as adults?" I believe that the best thing to do in this case is to just educate young people. We should make them aware of the implications of sharing their life with the internet. By educating them, we are letting them make their own decision as to what they want to do rather than trying to force them to stop it. Hopefully by educating them, they will realise the implications it can have and be more careful.
Having read the above comments, I do believe that there are some interesting points.
I believe that todays young people are using technology like never before and agree with Gemma, they do seem to know how to use any technology. Something that i struggle to adapt too.
Having a younger sister, who is extremely reliant on technology (never without her mobile and constantly on FB), i do believe that they are not aware of the implications of sharing and communiating online can have. To them, the more pictures you have on FB and the more friends who have, whether you know them or not determines how popular you are.
In a society that technology is becoming more and more dominant, I agree with John comment "what do we as adults do?", because forcing young people to stop these technologies is not going to happen. So with regards to Johns comment, I believe that it is down to us to educate them. We need to make them aware of the implications of sharing their life with everyone on the internet can have on their future. If we educate them, we are not telling them to stop doing it, we are lettig them make an informed decision as to the way they wish to behave when online.
"Do they think before they communicate?" I don't think they do. In a face to face conversation you can say what you like and later deny it, as what real proof is there? Who will remember any way? With the e communication you are creating a record for history and evidence that can be displayed to a much wider audience than your local community. I have had a bad experience of You Tube, when a 17 year old recorded my son, unknown to him, on his phone swearing and posted it. I found the article by accident nearly three years later. 5000 at least had seen this clip. How embarrassing! There was very little we could do, the police didn't see it as a crime when I reported it even though he was only 9. I agree with previous comments that as teachers we have to educate the children about e communication. We also have a duty to try and engage parents and offer some education to them as well.
I agree with a lot of the comments above. I think that young people are both 'native' and 'naive'. Not naïve in the sense that they do not know what they are doing, but naive in that they do not understand the implications of using the technology wrongly.
We can try to educate them on how to use technology and give them an understanding of the implications if this technology is wrongly used, for example posting the wrong kinds of photographs/messages on Facebook. However, even if you educate people, some will take on board what you say while others will continue to post things which are not relevant/necessary for others to see and this may come back to haunt them in the future.
I think the issue of safeguarding children who use social networking sites is an extremely difficult one. I agree with many of the important points above. I do feel it is important that we as educators teach children to use these websites responsibly. I also believe that social networking helps many children to communicate more effectively than ever before, and that many will use it responsibly and sensibly.
However, can we really influence how children and young people use the internet? We can give children all the facts on the dangers of posting too much personal information on the internet, but will they ultimatly make their own decisions on what they want to publish? I do not wish this to seem negative at all, I just feel it is definitely a challenge for 21st Century teachers!
Regardless of whether educators believe it is their responsibility or not, I think that teachers should be able to embrace the fast pace of today's society and guide children on the most appropriate ways to use the technology available to them.
The aspect which concerns me the most is the fact that many young people are not aware of the implications, both in the present and the future, that may arise due to their desire to put so much about themselves online. In this sense I would say that they are indeed 'naive.'
Knowing that it is almost impossible to stop the (inappropriate?) use of social networking sites such as Facebook, Bebo and Twitter, perhaps it can be a teacher's job to find a way to incorporate the more dangerous long term implications of such internet use into the lesson.
I've been following this post and comments with interest and, as always, your thoughts have been a been a catalyst in making me think more deeply about my own opinions on the subject.
I am not sure I agree that children should be classed as digital natives, yes this applies as a generic description for the generation that we, as adults, believe feel at ease with using technology but it does not allude to the concept that children are using the façade of technology without fully appreciating the implications.
On a recent visit to my old high school I had a discussion with the computing teacher, who had also been my teacher, about current use of technology and while I didn't agree with some of what he was saying the thing that stood out was
"people think they are better at using computers now but really they know less. They don't understand the language of a computer. Everything is based on front end tools and they then believe they are experts at computing. This is a very different issue."
When it comes to copyright I think it is an area that people are aware of but it doesn't feature on their horizon as they are doing the same thing as everyone else and if everyone else is doing something it can be hard not to follow the flock. I wouldn't label this as peer pressure, more peer influence or following the trend.
Yes naivety, and as John says ignorance, are labels that many of us are guilty of and I wonder if instead of teaching children and young people how to use technology we should focus on teaching safe use. If digital natives truly exist then why teach them to do something they can do intuitively? Shouldn't we focus on safeguards and implications of misguided use? I know that this is a devils advocate statement and it is not how I would form my practice but it is a thought that has been present in my head for some time.
As for my personal use of social networking, in particular facebook, I have just posted on my own blog about the steps I am taking to change my own profile.
http://relativism-studentponderings.blogspot.com/2010/09/why-ive-shut-down-facebook.html
I've been following this post and comments with interest and, as always, your thoughts have been a been a catalyst in making me think more deeply about my own opinions on the subject.
I am not sure I agree that children should be classed as digital natives, yes this applies as a generic description for the generation that we, as adults, believe feel at ease with using technology but it does not allude to the concept that children are using the façade of technology without fully appreciating the implications.
On a recent visit to my old high school I had a discussion with the computing teacher, who had also been my teacher, about current use of technology and while I didn't agree with some of what he was saying the thing that stood out was
"people think they are better at using computers now but really they know less. They don't understand the language of a computer. Everything is based on front end tools and they then believe they are experts at computing. This is a very different issue."
When it comes to copyright I think it is an area that people are aware of but it doesn't feature on their horizon as they are doing the same thing as everyone else and if everyone else is doing something it can be hard not to follow the flock. I wouldn't label this as peer pressure, more peer influence or following the trend.
Yes naivety, and as John says ignorance, are labels that many of us are guilty of and I wonder if instead of teaching children and young people how to use technology we should focus on teaching safe use. If digital natives truly exist then why teach them to do something they can do intuitively? Shouldn't we focus on safeguards and implications of misguided use? I know that this is a devils advocate statement and it is not how I would form my practice but it is a thought that has been present in my head for some time.
As for my personal use of social networking, in particular facebook, I have just posted on my own blog about the steps I am taking to change my own profile.
http://bit.ly/aRrpuf
I agree with all the comments that have been made in that young people are both "digital natives" and "digitally naive". When I first started using social networking sites I had no idea that other people who i did not know would be able to access my information, this was me being "Digitally naive". I saw it as a way of sharing info with friends and didn't think about others accessing my information. I am now much more aware of the information I put on the web about myself. I feel that young people and children need to be fully educated about the dangers of what they share on the internet, but we have to be aware that they have probably all had internet safety chat before and need to think about a new way of communicating with them. Such as through blogs, wikis or other forms of communication that they are using on a daily basis to inform then about keeping themselves safe.
Digital natives infer that all those born in the ‘Digital Era’ are fluent in digital communications, equipment and uses, they may be innately talented in this area but this is not always the case. Those that are and these digital tools can help define their generation.
Digital immigrants are however the initial inventors and drivers of this digital age and many others are early adopters who are just as competent at using the technology as the DNs.
All digital users’ whether immigrants or natives need to be well versed in understanding potential outcomes of their usage.
Natives may not understand the potential consequences of the information they allow to be shared by and about them (remember the 16 yr old girl in the UK who advertised her house party on my space and around 200 people turned up – followed later that evening by the police).
Yet digital immigrants can fall into similar traps – there are stories of people losing their job by posting a comment about a boss on a social network site and forgetting they had befriended them.
Both natives and immigrants can be naive -so both natives and immigrants need education on the risks associated with sharing information and who they share it with.
As a digital immigrant (wishing I was a native) I believe the opportunity opened up by the digital world has huge benefits to offer, socially, economically, creatively and educationally to name a few.
One thing is for sure this journey is far from over and the current digital natives are not future proofed.
Those of us involved (or soon to be) in education have a duty to make learning experiences as meaningful, fun and relevant as we can and if this means embracing the digital world then bring it on. We also have a duty to help educate our students in the consequences as well as the benefits of this media, hopefully this will be on top of support and education from home (although its likely more immigrants are learning about the digital world from the native generation than the other way round)
I think each generation just accepts the forms of communication around them and adults do have a responsibility to help them use it wisely. It reminds me of my Dad moaning about the cost of us using the phone to speak to friends as teenagers - something we just expected to do, but with no thought about someone having to pay for the calls.
I don't think many primary school children are that familiar with all the different technologies, but once someone is into something, it catches on. I think some things are fine for just children to use and for it to be their realm, but other things, such as facebook, computer games etc, adults should have an understanding or interest in, just to be able to help them manage how they use it.
I agree with John that we can be both natives and naive. I think this chapter raises many interesting points.
I would be lost without my phone. The main advantage of my blackberry is that I recieve my emails, which is very useful for uni as we are constantly getting emails about the course.
Some people on the course have said: "I need to get a new phone, it must be great accessing your emails easily all day, which shows that some people are more naive than others.
However I do consider myself to be a native in many cases and do not feel that confident with modern technology. I beleive this is partly due to the fact that my parents are way behind the times (e.g. their mobiles dont have a camera or internet) and I was not brought up with it. Whereas children today are surrounded by modern technology and it is being driven into them from a very early age.
Another interesting point put forward in this paper is that children today happily post messages for all to see. As Sharon suggested in our lecture, people are not aware of the risks. For example, one boy at my work was sacked for posting inappropriate information about the job on his page. I also know that when I applied for a job in America last summer that they checked everyones name online. Therefore employers can investigate your history and this could affect your future.
I enjoyed the chapter and felt it raises many interesting points that are very important in society today.
As a teacher I believe it is vital that we embrace these ongoing technological changes as they are the future but at the same time I feel society could potenitally suffer from it.
Socially the world is getting smaller that is obvious. On the flip side I cannot help but wonder if society on the local scale is becoming more distant through less face to face interaction and more digitilised activity. I have experienced children sitting side by side on computers and rather than speak to each other, they were having a conversation over the internet. Is this the future?
I am not saying I am against technology because I for one am a 'digital native', using technology on a daily basis and enjoy the benefits that it can bring. All I am trying to say is I think teachers have a duty to balance the use of technology (and understanding its use) with more 'traditional' forms of communication and learning.
I think that it is every teacher's responsibility to adapt to the needs of each child in their classroom and if that means teaching with a much larger emphasis on technology it needs to be done. However, I don't think all children are like this. From my experience volunteering in schools, technology can be used to help aid the child, but it can also hinder them. We have to be careful that they don't become relient on using solely computers to communicate their ideas and with others. I have come in contact with young people who can't spell properly on an application form because they always just used spell check. Also they learn how to text and email people, but struggle communicating with people face to face. There has to be a balance that encourages them to learn in new, creative ways that suit their learning style, but we can't loose all traditional methods.
I believe that the Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants clash is an ever growing issue. Digital Immigrant educators need to embrace this new digital age and take is as a positive opportunity to further the teaching experience. It is a new media through which to teach fundamental subjects which ultimately I believe the pupils will be more open to.
I also agree with what John says that although many of the "Digital Natives" find technology a second nature to them in reality they are very naive about the results of some of their actions while digitally active.
I think that although the technologies being used in the education system are of benefit to all involved (students, teachers, lecturers) and so much can be learned from a variety of different sources they can still be a bad influence. People are less and less likely to look up a word in a dictionary and will automatically go for their computer; they are less likely to read a book and will get the audiobook or watch the film. All of the technology is changing the way we teach and learn but is it being changed for the better or for the worse?
This is an interesting text. I can understand clearly the writers point - through his humerous tone. The several anecdotes however, I feel divide generations and I don't believe that is what techonology and ICT do.
I think it is the responsibility of all people to look sensibly at the most practical and interesting ways of finding or delivering information. Looking at modern resources, such as the internet, with a negative attitude is ignorant - because we know how advantagious it can be. However, equally respect must be paid to older sources - such as newspapers - for providing specific information, all together, on local news. On the internet time would have to be spent needlessly searching through several websites to find what is printed in the newspapers. Although there is a seperation in generation, I think all people should look at the advantages and disadvantages of modern and traditional sources, then select the most appropriate one specific to their needs.
I believe in schools children should be taught about traditional and modern resources to provide them with the knowledge needed to select the most appropriate resources specific to their varying needs in adulthood.
IL
I agree that technology plays such a large role in all of our lives that it needs to be incorporated into learning. I think that technology can be used in conjunction with traditional teaching styles to allow children to reach their full potential. I believe this as not all children learn as well when using technology, some achive more when using more traditional methods, such as reading text books. I also think that if we are to incorporate technology into the classroom, children should be taught how to use it safely.
A really useful and helpful post demonstrating how teachers need to adapt into todays society.
Without adapting and suiting childrens needs we cannot expect them to learn effectively.
Technology can,and should be, used in every aspect of the cirriculum.
This article has been a real eye opener. I feel that I fall inbetween the two goups mentioned. During primary school I was generally taught without having access to the internet. However during high school computers assumed a much more active role in my education. Due to this I find myself lost, as the knowledge young children hold concerning technology is a lot higher than my own at their stage. This is something that I wish to overcome by being part of the bEd course
I believe, like John and Amy, that people are both native and naive. I feel that my generation have grown up in the time where technology has greatly advanced. At the time when i was in primary school, technology was used alot less than it is today. However, during my time in high school it was frequently used and so i believe my generation use technology comfotably and greatly depend on objects like mobile phones. I therefore agree with the article in that it would be hard to ask students to change the ways in which the use technology and how they use it to learn. As technology advances, young people are only going to become even more accustomed to it.
I felt this was a very interesting article which has highlighted for me how important it is as a student teacher that I am aware of the necessity of incorporating technological advancements into my teaching and lessons. I think it shows just how important becoming a teacher of the new 21st century is, to be able to have the same knowledge as the children in regards to technology and computers.
I found the article really interesting. I would put myself in the digital immigrant category although my "accent" is not as strong as the examples Prensky gives. I feel that I have one foot in the digital-less past and the other foot cautiously paddling in the shallow waters of the digital present.
This is a curriculum area I need to quickly improve my ability around to effectively teach it in the classroom.
I have grown up with the advances in technology, therefore I can be classed as a "native".
I see that the future generations will be growing up with further advances within technology and younger pupils will be more "in tune" with the technology than us.
Therefore as future primary teachers we have a challenge! We will need to embrace as much as we can of these advances and educate them on how to use these correctly and safely.
Another problem that may arise is that pupils may start using "IM words" in everyday conversation or would rather text than talk to people - this is another challenge that we will face. We will have to work to make sure that this language is not used in education and keep face to face communication well and truly alive.
I found the article both extremely interesting but entertaining at the same time due to it's humerous tone. I would class myself as "digitally native" having made use of the internet for commumication, buying online products on sites such as amazon and using the internet as means of research. However all this aside I agree with the point made of being "digitally naive" and that we as teachers have a responsibility to educate those who are at potential risk of being "digitally naive" in all fields of the internet. Online communication and research is such an intergrated part of life for those of all ages, therefore we must both gain and provide an understanding of the negative sides of being digitally native.
I am so thankful for all the different things technology has allowed us to do and I think there are many benfits to the Web and new forms of communication like Facebook and what not, but I do think all this new technology could be potentially dangerous.
Young people share so much about their lives on their personal profiles and although it's nice to meet people online with the same interests as yourself, it is extremely dangerous because you don't know who you are actually speaking to. They could be a completely differnt person then you think they are.
I think these resources can be extremely helpful to teachers, but I think that everything that is done must be monitored very carefully.
I am in agreement with many others that have left their comment, in that children are both native and naive. I have grown up with a generation who are very comfortable with using technology both for learning and personal life. Having just left school recently, i am very aware of the extent to which technology aids pupils learning. Active boards, the internet, online libraries are just a few examples of the types of technology seen by students on a regular basis.
The author mentions how teachers have to adapt to the new ways children today are learning by bringing in more uses of technology. I strongly agree with this statement as i feel as younger generations grow up, technology is only going to advance more, and so people are continually becoming more acustemed to it.
I do also feel, however that even though the vast majority of children are regular users of technology, there is still a fair amount who are not comfortable with different objects of technology. Today, i don't think it has become advanced enough for technology to be used in all aspects of learning, with there still being people who are unaware of it's opportunities. However, this isn't to say it's going to be long until everyone is in this position.
I agree with Mark Prensky that children will learn best through use of technology because they are digital natives. I have seen various examples and conducted research which prove this is certainly the case in the classroom. However, I also agree with Sharon that due to these same technologies, children are losing values and skills that can unfortunately only be gained old school. There is also the matter of the dangers of technologies which has to be considered. However, in the classroom, my opinion is that teachers, whether they are immigrants or natives themselves, should try to find a happy medium.
I feel that the text emphasises that a teacher cannot expect to children to learn effecitevly unless they are taught in ways suited to them.
Methods a teacher finds useful and child might not. Therefore it it is the teachers job to learn about current technology and the way children learn, as well as using them in their lessons regularly.
Having read the blog and previous comments made, I feel children are both native and naive. I also fear as children become more submersed in technology they could become increasingly more naive.
At this point in time many children and teenagers still remember the time when iPads and other such technologies were just in the imagination. As these technologies become more advanced and accessible children could lose touch with the pre-technology reality and key skills such as social interaction could diminish.
I think it is a crucial part of a teachers’ role to embrace technological advances and use these to enhance the learning experience. It is also necessary to educate children how to use technologies appropriately in order to address their naive approach.
The comments below are my thoughts on what I read in the original post.
Digital Natives share differently - in relation to this section, I personally feel that there are issues nowadays where children are growing up less aware of the dangers of social media sites. This is not a criticism of teaching in schools as internet safety is covered. It raises the question of if it is covered in enough depth to get children really thinking. Do parents really understand this area enough? There are children under 13yrs with accounts on social networking sites. So are the controls for obtaining such accout strict enough?
Digital Natives Buy and Sell Differently - When asking if they understand the true value of money, I personally feel that this is not just a product of internet shopping. In this current society that we live, children might only ever see parents using cards to do shopping or obtain cash from autotellers. Some children's parents might not have jobs so children don't experience how money comes into the household. This is why it is extremely important for teachers to provide a wide variety of experiences when teaching money and using real life scenarios through contexts. The lacking knowledge of financial matters has been highlighted by the publication of material such as "money matters" and banks working in conjunction with schools
With regards to the understanding of copyright and sharing creations, could it be that they do understand these in part? If so then it could be that the true implications are only realised if and when something does go wrong such as discovery and even prosecution. If it was made harder to do these things maybe this would lead to people thinking more about any possible consequences of their actions!
The Oxford Dictionary (2006) defines collaboration as "work[ing] jointly on an activity or project" i.e. working together to achieve a common goal. To do this people need to communicate with each other. In primary schools children are taught how to communicate successfully mainly through listening and talking. Communication online (if not b=done by videoconferencing or teleconferencing) the rules change to reading and writing. Then issues such as misunderstanding the true intention of the words might come into play! To prevent this should there not be a nominated co-ordinator who takes on the role of a chairperson, as in a meeting with people in a room, to maintain some sort of order?
What is a digital native? A person who is born into a society where digital technology surrounds him / her.
What is a digital immigrant? A person for whom technology is new.
I was born in the 1970s and the changes I have witnessed in technology are amazing! I can distinctly remember watching ‘Tomorrow’s World’ and thinking ‘No way!!!’ when they talked about video phones. Now I frequently use ‘Skype’ to keep in touch with relatives in London and New Zealand who I otherwise wouldn’t see. Mind you, we are still waiting for jet-packs and hover-boards!
What surprises me is how quickly we all (not just the natives!) get used to new technology. I often ask myself – “What did we do before mobile phones?” and find it hard to imagine my life without one yet I was in my twenties before I even used one.
The area where new technology seems to have made the biggest impact I feel is communication. Mobile phones, instant messaging, social networking sites, skype, face-time, online learning communities, virtual business meetings..... the list is endless. Tecno-teacher asks if, in a world where communication is instant, are our young people likely to lose the ability to concentrate on one thread of conversation when they are used to communicating with several people at once in less depth? Are they able to wait for a response rather than demand instant replies? Can they create well constructed, well thought out correspondence which has depth and clearly communicates a view or opinion? Or do they quickly create and send? Do they think before they communicate on their social media sites about the implications of their words or images on their future selves or on a wider audience?
These are very interesting questions which have certainly made me think. As many people have already commented, I feel education is the key. I was taught how to write letters when I went to school; informal letters to a friend / formal letters – e.g. complaint, thank you, invitation, apology, request etc. Now we still need to teach children how to write letters but must also teach about the conventions of emails (personal and informal as well as formal emails), how to write a blog or add a comment, about what is appropriate to include on a social networking site – what to share and what not to.
One person commented (anonymous, 2.17pm) that there might be a danger that young people start to use text language or instant messaging (IM) words in everyday conversation. I think that with the correct guidance, children will appreciate that there is a time and a place for that kind of language but that it is not appropriate in certain circumstances – i.e. I would make it very clear that I would not expect to see ‘you’ spelled ‘u’ or ‘later’ spelled ‘L8R’ in children’s class work or homework. Perhaps some IM words will creep into our conversational language. It wouldn’t be the end of the world though….. just the evolution of language. We do not talk now like they did in Shakespeare’s times.
VCS commented that both digital natives and digital immigrants can be naïve and I think this is a very valid point. Whether you have been surrounded by technology since birth or come to it at a later stage in life, everyone needs to be aware of the risks involved. Perhaps it is just easier for adults with more experience in life to see the dangers than children and young people.
Although some of my comments might sound negative, I really feel the benefits of these new technologies far outweigh any pitfalls and risks. If children are taught to use these enormously advantages technologies responsibly they can become tools for their lifelong learning.
After reading this blog I think it is fair to suggest that children of this digital age are both natives of the technology but also naive of its uses.
At the moment every child has varying degrees of access to advanced pieces of technology which means that physical skills of communication are still necessary. However as technology continues to advance there should be a concern that these skills will be less necessary for life. As virtual communication increases children may have less physical contact with their peers.
As it is part of their generation it is important for teachers to teach children about and through technology as these are becoming skills necessary to life and offer great advantages for learning. However I also think that children need to be made aware of the dangers and short comings of these technologies so that they can stay safe when using the devices.
It is also vital that teachers place importance on non-digital communication skills, like face to face communication and interaction, as these are vital not only in the world but also for development.
If, as technology advances, we begin to focus even more on this for teaching and learning, will education be improved or worsened?
The questions posed definately gave me many factors to consider that I did not previously. I feel that it is fair to say, from my own experience in class that many children think that downloading music has no consequences and do not consider copyright.Many music stores such as HMV fail to survive in a few towns surrounding me, therefore I consider the links to downloading music and not purchasing it to be evident in this. The effect of the digital native generation on society can already be seen.
I see many positives of using technology but I have been given food for thought from this article as can be seen above. It made me rethink the necessity placed on becoming competent. It is also important to teach children about the appropriate use of technology and the internet so they can use technology successfully in later life.
Having read all the points, i found this discussion really interesting.
I feel that children today are both digital natives yet digitally naive at the same time; it often depends on the purpose and context it is used.
Technology is now a large part of society and as adults, and teachers in particular, we need to embrace this. I feel children are more technically advanced than many adults as this is how they have been brought up. They possibly don't think about the implications especially on social websitess so it is our role to ensure that they are aware of their safey and the possible implications.
I think it is clear that children of this digital age are both digital natives but at the same time naive of its uses.
Through the uses of all this digital technology the children are having less and less physical contact with theit peers. Through this the children may not be thinking about missing out in vital life skills, of communication and showing their emotions through their facial expressions.
A lot of children are coming to this digital without the life experiences that adults will have. they are not aware of some of the problems through this technology and therefore dont think about it. As teachers it will be important that we teach the children about things such as internet saftey. Giving the children the information that they need may help to stop these digital natives being as naive.
Reading through this the questions have been very interesting and have certainly made me think. I feel that as commented by a number of people giving the children the information they need, through education, will certainly help.
I have read the above points and agree with the statemnets being made.
I agree with John in that children are both digital natives and digitally naive. They have interacted with technology from a young age and as a result technology has become part of their life. However, some children are digitally naive in their implementation of technology.
As Gemma refered to, facebook is a prime example where people are being caught out by employers, education workers etc for displaying information that should remain confidential and not be displayed for the whole social networking site to access.
As parents, teachers, educational workers of these children it is our responsibilty to educate and encourage the engagement of technology in a safe way through modelling good practice and teahing the children acceptable online behaviour. However, in some situations children will not listen to adults words of wisdom and this is where the safety aspect becomes a concern.
we have to hope that children will take on board the information we teach them and take responsiblity for there actions. As tecnoteach states we can only teach right from wrong and there will always be a minority of children who will not listen and will choose to act inappropriately online .
After I read this article, I have to admit, it made me a bit sad! When reading the different points raised, it just highlighted the extent to which face to face communication(without webcams, proper conversation!) is becoming extinct.
We have become a generation of over-sharers with a lack of patience for anything, constantly expecting instant responses. Pictures can be shared instantly,conversations held wherever you are in the world. Some of this is fabulous, for people separated and is an excellent way to share this. But is it really old fashioned to think there is nothing wrong with meeting up for a coffee to share photos and to have a chat?
Children are so reliant on technology for everything. Yes we live in a techologically advanced society, where its the norm to have laptops, hi-tech phones and whatever new Apple product has been brought out (not slagging Apple, I promise Sharon!). Obviously it is important for children to understand how to used these programmes and technologies, but surely there is a time and a place for this.
The number of children who have a social networking profile, be it on Facebook or Bebo or whatever else there is, is alarming. There is a vast difference in using technology effectively and just using it because it's there. Young children have no need for Facebook or Bebo and it can open the door to attracting the wrong kind of attention.
Its difficult to limit a child's exposure to new technology and I'm not saying that we necessarily have to, but do children have to know it all? I understand the cognitive benefits to a child to learn how to use the technology at a young age, but is it entirely necessary that they know how to use everything. I don't want to sound too ideological, but can children not be children, just for a little bit?
Advances in technology mean that digital natives and immigrants communicate share, buy and sell, exchange, create and co-ordinate differently, but at what cost?
Technology has developed at an alarming rate over the last quarter of a century and this is reflected in the society in which we live. Long gone are the days of just 3 TV channels which were viewed on a black and white TV and closed down in the late evening, or waiting for the postman to deliver a longed for letter from an Aunt in Canada, or phoning a friend on a land-line telephone to make arrangements to meet for a coffee and a blether. Today’s society never switches off - it is open 24/7. New generation phones mean we can communicate at any time of the day and we do not even have to be inside to do so. But how much of that communication is spoken? Texts, emails, social network sites allow people to ‘talk’ without uttering a spoken word. I do this myself-however, this article, responses and the discussion we had in class, has provided real food for thought.
Yes there are many benefits to the technology we have available today. I do use internet shopping, send texts, post photos on Facebook . However, I do ‘think before I publish’. I think as teachers we have an obligation to the children in our class to encourage them to do the same.
As teachers, we discuss the implications of making the wrong choices with regards to diet, lifestyle and drugs. We should also recognise that technology plays a huge part in people’s lives today and we should be discussing the implications of making the wrong choices when using the internet. We should remind children that it is the world-wide-web and as such the whole world could potentially view the information they post. Do they really want anyone and everyone to see what they have been up to?
I agree with John that it is not our role to take the moral high ground, but we want to encourage everyone to make informed choices and be aware of potential consequences.
Internet safety talks to children AND parents could go some way to reducing the naivety or as John puts it, ignorance that is suggested. Developing an awareness of sites such as CEOP’s ‘Think you know?’ (available at http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/) would go some way to addressing these issues. 8th February is Safer Internet day (http://www.saferinternet.org/web/guest/safer-internet-day). I would suggest that it is a day that all teachers mark on their calendars!
I agree with the previous post by Michelle. Can children not just be children? Is there a need to get them into technology so quickly, at such a young age? I know that when I grew up there was limited technology and social interaction with friends and siblings was a huge part of growing up. I think that this allowed development of our imagination and creativity. However, on the other hand, I, just as much as everyone else, loves to be up to date with the new technology - the kinect for xbox or the latest iphone or ipad for example. Should we be removing children from this if these items are becoming an increasing part of today's society or are these just accessories which won't have much impact on them anyway? As with most things in life, I believe there should be a balance.
Some of the questions posed in the blog were interesting and I believe that most digital natives probably are quite naive. I don't think that they consider many of the implications of actions (like the downloading of music) and can often carried away by what's coming next. However, this is an aspect that I believe can be shaped by educators. Perhaps instead of only teaching how to use the latest technologies in our classrooms we should be teaching the implications of using such technology. Only then can we help digital natives stop being naive.
This blog certainly made for interesting reading. It is very different from the normal texts I would read at university but has informed me to a great extent. To be honest, I had never really considered the repercussions of children using ICT in today's society. However, this blog has certainly been an eye opener. I would say I am a bit of a digital immigrant and certainly need to develop my ICT skills more - however I am very interested in ICT and keen to develop these skills.
I feel children are both digitally naive and digital natives. Many children will be able to go beyond my ICT capabilities but I feel as teachers we need to inform them of the issues that may arise from living in a world filled with ICT.
ICT can be a great learning and teaching tool in the classroom but I feel that as teachers we need to recieve specific training in how to implement this most effectively as many of us are not digital natives and may even be slightly naive!
In my own experience, I have discovered the endless possibilities and benefits provided by technology.
I am at an age where technology including texting and social networking, are what I can consider to be the 'normal' or 'easiest' ways to keep in touch with friends, family and colleagues.
In terms of the comment made about poor quality responses during communication e.g. using MSN or other forms of instant messaging. I agree that this may encourage a lack of 'depth' and I also believe that this may decrease the quality of writing of someone who uses this form of communication frequently, I know from my own personal experience that texting can have a negative impact on my spelling.
The issue of sharing is something we have discussed at length.
In my opinion, this is an issue with an obvious answer.If you would not like your own mother to see or read something involving yourself, then why allow others to have access it. However, I still believe that this can be taken to the extreme and does not need to mean that a social life should be non-existent.
I found the section titled 'Digital natives coordinate differently' quite interesting. I personally use technology to collaborate. Instant messaging, emails and texting are all useful forms of technology that I use on a regular basis to enhance my work at university.
It is possible to share knowledge, ask for help and advice, and also to keep informed of any important information. Tools such as glow are now coming into place to improve collaboration. This includes collaboration between pupils, parents and teachers.
This blog has really made me think about the effects that technology is having on our everyday lives. As Michelle said, it is difficult to accept that traditional ways of commincation are being used less and less. I think that social interaction is a key part of learning. I don't think that education should be looked at as solely academic learning, it is about giving children opportunities to develop as people. I think that it is the responsiblity of the teacher to continue to give opportunities for group work and discussion where children can share their opinions and practise the skill of listening to others. These are key skills that children need to develop at a young age and, regardless of the developments in technolgy, should be encouraged from a young age.
The questions that have been posed in this blog are very interesting points and it does make you think that technology may be involved in too many aspects of life. In today's society it is understandable that children are digitally native because that is the world that they are being born into. Personally I find it quite difficult to get to grips with some new pieces of technology and I think that this is because it was never really a huge part of my childhood. However, it seems to be the complete opposite for children today.
It needs to be controlled though as I do think that because they are so used to using the internet some maybe are being too naive in their use of it. Over sharing on social networking sites seems to be a common issue but I don't think that children are really educated in the repercutions that may come from this. As mentioned on the LTS website internet safety must be follwed by all practioners and CfE highlights this as an outcome in each level of the curriulum, this means that children are learning about the correct ways to keep them safe while using the internet at a level which is appropriate for them and their needs for online use. The teacher has the responsiblity to ensure that the children are fully aware of the safe ways to share information online. This is a requirement which must be adhered to for GTCS registration and so the protection of children when using technology should become second nature to us from day 1.
I do think that technology can be a great thing. It is a good way to stay in touch, and connecting with, people in other countries. It is a fantastic learning tool and, if used and promoted appropriately, will be very valuable to children's lives in the future. The principles in the technologies section of CfE highlight that the increased use of technolgy in primary school reflects the developments in the 21st century. It also says that it provides children with challenge and enjoyment and also provides opportunity for creativity. Also, it aids children in developing skills for the future. I do agree with these points but it also important that it is used in moderation to control any issues such as becoming so used to text language that children's written language skills are hindered. This is down to parents and teachers sharing the importance of traditional learning whilst incoporating uses of ICT to enhance their learning in all areas of the curriculum.
I feel this blog has certainly raised a number of interesting points, which has left me thinking more about technology and the digital world we live in.
As a student teacher I feel it is important that we keep up to date with technology but within moderation. Children need to be introduced to new technology, but not become to used to working in a world of technology where it takes over their lives.
Take Facebook for example, this is an excellent way for people to communicate, share ideas and exchange information. You can speak to people you may not have been in touch for a long time through the click of a button. However what is concerning is the way a minority of people abuse social networking sites like this by posting inappropriate information which can be seen by many people.
As identified in this blog, so many people now do online shopping. Personally I am not so much into shopping in this way. I think it results in many people becoming lazy and relying too much on technology. And yes I do think that people have become so used to using a credit/debit card that money is so much thought about when purchasing. I must admit if I do not have time I do consider shopping online and think less about the money that I am spending when pay with my devit card.
If people become too use to communicating via a mobile phone or facebook and do all of their shopping online, when are they getting the chance to explore their community, orally communicate with people and build on social skills?
It concerns me that children spend too much time on computers, mobile phones and other technology devises resulting in them having little time to play outside and experience more of the natural world.
I do feel that when working on a group task it is importance to collaborate ideas orally. I do not feel that approaching tasks like this using technology is the answer. In order to communicate, gather ideas and talk about issues, this should be carried out where everyone is present.
Overall, I do feel that technology is an important aspect of today, but think too many people now depend on it to get through their day to day life. If we are to enjoy the world around us, we need to only use technology in moderation.
I feel this blog has certainly raised a number of interesting points, which has left me thinking more about technology and the digital world we live in.
As a student teacher I feel it is important that we keep up to date with technology but within moderation. Children need to be introduced to new technology, but not become to used to working in a world of technology where it takes over their lives.
Take Facebook for example, this is an excellent way for people to communicate, share ideas and exchange information. You can speak to people you may not have been in touch for a long time through the click of a button. However what is concerning is the way a minority of people abuse social networking sites like this by posting inappropriate information which can be seen by many people.
As identified in this blog, so many people now do online shopping. Personally I am not so much into shopping in this way. I think it results in many people becoming lazy and relying too much on technology. And yes I do think that people have become so used to using a credit/debit card that money is so much thought about when purchasing. I must admit of I do not have time I do consider shopping online and think less about the money that I am spending when I do it this way.
If people become too use to communicating via a mobile phone of facebook and do all of their shopping online, when are they getting the chance to explore their community, orally communicate with people and build on social skills?
It concerns me that children spend too much time on computers, mobile phones and other technology devises resulting in them having little time to play outside and experience more of the natural world.
I do feel that when working on a group task it is importance to collaborate ideas orally. I do not feel that approaching tasks like this using technology is the answer. In order to communicate, gather ideas and talk about issues, this should be carried out where everyone is present.
Overall, technology should be a part of our lifes, but not be made dependent to get use through the day and should only be used within moderation.
Reading this blog raised some interesting questions which I can by no means claim to have the answers for and is an understanding that will develop and change alongside the technological advancements.
Like many commentators my childhood was in a time of great technological advancement, we used very little technology in primary school except for the odd 'go' on the bbc computers. Technology became a much bigger part of both my academic and personal life through my high school years. As I have progressed through university have become more aware of my 'digital imprint' and the importance of teaching children about the opportunities that technology gives us but also the responsibility of it while still appreciating face to face interactions and written communication
I feel that this post raises some very interesting points that need to be thought about and explored further. Looking at both the question that the title of this post poses and the content within I believe that children are both digital natives and digitally naive. As children are growing up in a world where technology is accessible and used in everyday life I feel that it does allow for a variety of learning opportunities. I do wonder however that because children are constantly using technology will they develop a bias opinion and not be able to consider the disadvantages as well as the advantages?
Furthermore I do believe that technology is vital to a child’s learning and aids the development of lifelong skills. To ensure that children learn how to use technology effectively it is vital that adults adhere to the outcomes and experiences set out by CfE in order to prepare children successfully for the digital world that they will be entering, teaching them how to correctly access and use technology etc.
Looking at the post as whole I feel that to overcome the issues raised we need to find a balance. As teachers we need to embrace new technology and ensure children can use it in a sensible and responsible way throughout a variety of different situations. I also feel that we should not just use technology in the classroom for the sake of it (eg just using an interactive whiteboard because it is available). Instead we should consider the potential learning that will be taking place and plan opportunities using appropriate resources to facilitate (whether this will be through group work or through the use of technology).
I think all of these ideas provide very interesting opinions and ideas. Personally I feel that becoming a digital native is something that I need to focus on.
Reflecting on my time as a pupil in school is very different compared to today's society.
Today children are accustomed to the use of technology in the classroom and socially; whereas I grew up without google!
Although I feel that technology must be used appropriately and perhaps society has made us niave as to what we post on the internet. Aspects of your life should be kept private and as teachers it is our responsibility to encourage children to be safe.
I can see the arguments from all sides,it is extremely hard to continually be up to date with technology and its continual developments. I think childre have been brought it up the digital world but it does not mean that their common sense has developed at the same speed as their technological skills. Children do not consider the consequences of posting pictures on the internet for the world to see. I as an adult still consdier myself to be slightly digitally naive, althrough I would hope that I have more common sense than to publish things on the internet for the world to see that may come back to haunt me.
I found this blog really interesting. It has made me think about using social networking sites as a nearly qualified teacher. I don't think we think about exposing ourselves on the interent to everyone there.
Lecturers at university have warned us about the repercussions of using Facebook and the damage it can do to our reputation. We need to teach children about this as we have been educated in university. This will hopefully prevent more people damaging their repuations in the future.
I found this an interesting article and i agree that children are digitally native as they have been brought up in a technological world. However, i feel they are naive in the sense that they do not really understand or think about the consequences of their actions.
As teachers it is our responsibilty to educate and ensure children are aware of the knock on effect of exposing themselves via the internet. To achieve this i feel i need to extend my own knowledge and become more digitally native myself.
Through my own experiences I have discovered there are many benifits provided by technology.
Technology today includes texting and social networking to name a few, these are now seen to be the norm, a quick and convienet way to communicate with other peers. When new and different technology is available we adapt and try to learn what he benifits are and why would 'I' use it.
I dont think people think about the long term consequences, exposing your personal life on a small scale or large, depending on what you upload, comment on etc. Although these are overlooked at the time, we really need to consider what may be an innocent photo to you, may be seen as acting out of 'character' to others and presenting the wrong image.
Digital natives, as far as i have interpreted this suggests that all who are born in the ‘Digital Era’ will be confident with the different forms of technology, digital communications, equipment and uses. They are born surrounded by the technology.
Childern can be seen as digitally native, in terms of they may be confident with the technology and know how to use it, but i also would say they are nieve. Children do not understant the consequences of their actions. They are not exposed to what 'innocent pictures' may be percieved as by others. They still have their innocents and usually trust is just a given with them. They don't consider the lies that may be behind an 'innocent' online chat.
However as teachers we need to encourage chldren to use these different tehnologies in a safe mannor. To educate them how to be safe online and to consider what they post. This is a challenging area for teachers and i think it always will be, as ultimately will they not just post what they want to?
I feel that these are very interesting points that have made me think about the way in which I use technology.
I use social networks, such as Facebook and MSN and I am always so careful when I post comments and pictures. However, I do not like the thought that others could say something or post a photograph that could cause problems for me in my profession. I feel that social networking is a great collaborative tool and Glow is a new way for students and teachers to engage with each other and the work set for them. However, I have also seen children’s glow pages littered with inappropriate comments from one-another. Who is to say that only public social networking sites can haunt you?
Issues with copyright could be to do with the fact that children are not always taught about the implications of copyright. If it was made more personal for the children then they may think twice about downloading music and films on illegal sites in the future. I have heard children talking about using Limewire at home and they see it as a great tool; however, if someone actually explained the implications to the children from the point of view of the artist / actor etc then they may think differently about using it in future.
I feel that these are very interesting points that have made me think about the way in which I use technology.
I use social networks, such as Facebook and MSN and I am always so careful when I post comments and pictures. However, I do not like the thought that others could say something or post a photograph that could cause problems for me in my profession. I feel that social networking is a great collaborative tool and Glow is a new way for students and teachers to engage with each other and the work set for them. However, I have also seen children’s glow pages littered with inappropriate comments from one-another. Who is to say that only public social networking sites can haunt you?
Issues with copyright could be to do with the fact that children are not always taught about the implications of copyright. If it was made more personal for the children then they may think twice about downloading music and films on illegal sites in the future. I have heard children talking about using Limewire at home and they see it as a great tool; however, if someone actually explained the implications to the children from the point of view of the artist / actor etc then they may think differently about using it in future.
I feel that these are very interesting points that have made me think about the way in which I use technology.
I use social networks, such as Facebook and MSN and I am always so careful when I post comments and pictures. However, I do not like the thought that others could say something or post a photograph that could cause problems for me in my profession. I feel that social networking is a great collaborative tool and Glow is a new way for students and teachers to engage with each other and the work set for them. However, I have also seen children’s glow pages littered with inappropriate comments from one-another. Who is to say that only public social networking sites can haunt you?
Issues with copyright could be to do with the fact that children are not always taught about the implications of copyright. If it was made more personal for the children then they may think twice about downloading music and films on illegal sites in the future. I have heard children talking about using Limewire at home and they see it as a great tool; however, if someone actually explained the implications to the children from the point of view of the artist / actor etc then they may think differently about using it in future.
There are lots of thought provoking questions raised. As a "digital native" I had not considered the possible implications that using / relying on ICT could have.
With regards to professionalism, there are repercussions with sharing aspects of our lives on social networking sights. I try to maintain a level of professionalism but it is my personal sight, that I can use for my own requirements but once it has been put out there, there will always be a trail left.
Also in relation to the value of money. I consistantly use my card to purchase items online and it doesn not feel like spending money. I easily forget how much has been spent and therefore end up with bank charges. I believe that this does not teach children the value of money.
I would say there are also implications with attention span. I believe that the use of ICT has decreased children's attention span. As I am guilty of opening up a second page when using the internet to occupy myself while waiting on the first to load. Or clicking several times in the hope it will speed up the process. I want the information and I want it now! I am not not willing to wait! Not when information is now so accessible online.
This article proved an interesting read and after a scan of the comments, it is clear that I am not alone with some of my thoughts. Below are my first reactions on reading this post.
Digital Natives Communicate Differently - 'Digital Natives' have been brought up within this fast-paced life with regards to communication. But this is through no fault of their own. While on placement I have seen children writing in 'text form' such as 'cya'. Should we be annoyed by this if this form of communication is on the increase? I think that there is less of an emphasis on handwriting within schools now which I think is an extremely valuable skill. The flip side of this however is that the way which we communicate is becoming vastly different from when I was at school and the need for writing letters etc may become totally extinct! I am a culprit of being impatient when waiting for emails and often have multiple conversations open at once via text messaging but I do think that we can be engaged with each task/conversation equally as our minds have been able to adapt to this faster pace of communication.
Digital Natives Share Differently -Sharing information is a great way to keep in touch with friends and help peers with ideas and resources and sharing these over secure and safe sites such as GLOW and the discussion boards which are set up on MyDundee, however I agree with some of the above comments that digital natives are too naive when it comes to sharing information over 'social networking sites' I don't think they realise just how far the information goes when they post it over the internet. I regularly use facebook and although my facebook is private I am still aware of the dangers of using these sites appropriately after joining the B.Ed programme.
Digital Natives Buy and Sell Differently - Gone are the days when you would pop out for messages with your mum at the weekend, now the internet has taken over with all major supermarkets promoting online shopping. Is this going to continue until there is no need for newsagents and village shops? What will this do to our social lifes? I know that I don't want to become a recluse sitting in one room communicating with friends and doing all my shopping from a computer screen! Growing up, I sensed the community ethos of the village but with this new digital era I am unsure about the future of this 'ethos' I used to get pocket money and would have to work out what I could afford from the village shop but nowadays, children seem to have lost the value of money. Buying products using a shiny credit card hardly promotes an understanding of the value of money so why are adults so shocked at the fact that children do not comprehend this notion?!
Digital Natives Exchange Differently - Children don't understand copyright issues enough from my own experiences. I have observed teachers taking images directly off of 'google' with no explanation of copyright to the children. I think because images and music can be accessed so easily over the internet, digital natives are naive into thinking that they can access these without considering these copyright laws. I think more needs to be done in schools to make children aware of these issues.
Cont...
Digital Natives Create Differently - Again this relates back to digital natives sharing information over the internet. I think most people are aware of the consequences of creating something and these include the digital natives who abuse this power, however there is still some naivity among people who do not realise the repercussions of their actions.
Digital Natives Co-ordinate Differently - Digital natives are the future whether some people do not agree with the way technology is going. I think technology is a fantastic resource to use when collaborating with others. It makes getting together much easier with the hectic modern life which many people live. Whether you have been born into this digital era or are afraid to join, I think it is important for everyone to become confident in the use of technology before being further 'left behind'
Wow this blog and all the replies certainly made me stop and think!
I considered myself a digital native but perhaps i was not fully aware of the dangers all of these points can cause.
I think that as a teacher of the future it is my job to make these points clear for children and make sure their learning environment provides opportunity for both technology AND more traditional methods. Perhaps a face to face conversation occasionally?
That's not to say that ICT collaboration cannot be useful in the classroom. Surely these advantces in technology can be used in the correct manner as a positive aid to teach with?
I found this an intersting article that has raised many important questions for me both as a future teacher and as a parent of digital natives. While I would describe myself as a digital immigrant I have come to realise that technology is now an integral part of young peoples lives both socially and educationally. I agree with the comment made by John that the issue is "what we as adults do about it". As a parent, and a future teacher, I feel it is ever more important for me to extend my own knowledge of technology and with all issues affecting my children, not just technology, it is my responsibility to ensure I give them the information they need to enable them to make positive and informed choices when creating or sharing information. My own children play live on-line games through which they develop skills such as problem solving, working together and communicating with others but they also play sports and attend various clubs. For me personally, I don't think we can or should ignore technology but it is about getting the balance right and recognising our responsibility whether that is as a parent or as a teacher.
Digital Natives or Digitally Naïve?
I do not think that the majority of this generation of young people are true digital natives. The term “digital natives” means that young people are fluent in technology and use this as a first point of call. I believe that while children are more related to technology than digital immigrants, there are many young people who are not up to date and as tech savvy as the digital native label suggests.
This post states that digital natives are doing things in different ways now due to technology. I believe that technology has allowed us to communicate, buy and exchange etc differently but many children may not choose to use this new technology. They are only using it because it is readily available. I completely agree with the point about children losing a sense of money and it’s worth. I know that I can lose a sense of how much money I am spending online because I am not physically handing it over, this is also the case with chip and pin.
As teachers it is important that we can use technology to enhance learning not as a teaching tool. Glow is a prime example of how children are being able to communicate differently than ever before. However, children are not aware of this technology unless it is facilitated. I believe that there is a balance between being digitally native and digitally naïve. The majority of children can be digitally native but this means that their digital immigrant educators will have to move into the net generation with them.
I feel the article raised many interesting and thought provoking opinions and ideas about what it means to be a digital native and the implications of being digitally naïve. Today society submerges children in a world where limitless technology that is available and accessible in everyday life. Whether children are at home, at school or out in the wider community there is elements of technology that control our lives.
I believe it is important to introduce children to new technology that will aid and develop necessary skills. However, technology should not become an overused resource that limits the classroom learning experience. It is vital to ensure children learn how to use a range of technology effectively through the experiences and outcomes of Curriculum for Excellence. This will prepare children for the digital world of the future by developing the necessary technological skills for life and work.
As a student teacher I feel I am a digital native with good background knowledge of technological classroom resources. I believe it is important to demonstrate a high level of competence when teaching ICT in the classroom. However, I could become more naïve in the future as technology is developing at a faster rate than schools and teachers can keep up. As a professional it is my duty to keep my “finger on the pulse” when it comes to technology and ensure I am aware of any new technologies that can be used in the classroom.
I believe one aspect of ICT that has to be taught is the impact of sharing views and opinions with the wider community. Children should be made aware that certain online actions can lead to consequences they may not have envisaged. A large number of children are exposed to social networking, e.g. Facebook or Bebo. It should be the role of the teacher to discuss present dangers to social networking and the consequences of sharing selected opinions and pictures. This would be more effective than trying to stop children from using technology in a technological world. Obviously we want to protect children from the dangers of the internet but I feel the most effective way is to increase children’s awareness than try to banish selected groups.
The two areas which I felt strongly about were communication and sharing. There is an obvious issue regarding children overlapping the use of computers for social media with their writing within school. Although it is great that children can communicate in new and diverse ways, 'text' language is makig its way into the classroom. I think in order for ICT to be used effectively to enhance learning, children need to understand the barrier between the two and not allow them to overlap.
With regards to the sharing of information on the internet, I think the key question is are the children educated well enough in this area, and does the education begin early enough? Also, who is responsible for educating the children in this area? Does this fall to teachers when maybe parents should be taking this on? We hear all too often in the news about children being groomed online, and it is clear that children need to become more 'chatroom savvy'.
Children are quickly becoming almost reliant on technology and would struggle to cope without it both in their personal life as well as in their education. I think it should be considered in terms of the amount of time spent using ICT, what is a suitable amount of time? ICT is very useful in class, and a resource I utilise regularly, however it is important to maintain an appropriate balance.
RC - BEd 4
Having read chaper 6 of Prensky, and whilst taking on board all of the above comments (which have given me great pause for thought), one thing he said stands out and sticks in my brain as the bottom line of the whole issue -
"Some of us may fear our digital future, and others may question its value. But that's where we're headed, WE'RE NEVER GOING BACK, and the train is speeding up!"
We have no choice about whether we want to teach this way or not; this is just the way it is. We just have to move with the times, and make the effort to teach children in the world they belong to, not the world we had 25 years ago.
I thought the article was very interesting in the ways in the future generation are using technology however I don't think the chapter covers the negative impact this can have on children through their inability or want to play more traditional games and the dangers that this type of world opens up.
We need to encourage our children to move forward with technology but we must be the ones ensuring they understand the rules and risks involved.
I also think we need to keep ourselves up to date with the latest technology to ensure we are the best people to educate the future generation.
BEd 1 2011
Personally, I can't remember a time when technology was not part of my daily life. However, I only remember getting one incredibly brief "lesson" on internet safety at school when I was in fifth year which, in my opinion, was far too late for many people.
I think education is key if today's digital natives are to understand what consequences their actions could have when using technology such as the internet and most importantly social networking sites. As more and more young children take to sites such as Facebook, I think it is incredibly important that teachers and parents alike make them aware of the various risks of these web pages.
I believe that parents should monitor (not stop) children's digital exploration, to ensure that they can make the most of the advancing world we live in, without being exposed to the potential dangers.
Having read the article i tihnk Prensky makes a very interesting argument. In many ways children can be seeen as digital natives however we also have to look at the flip side of this when we see children using technology in a dangerous way which suggests the complete opposite to being a digital native. There is also the question will anybody ever be a digital native in that technology changes so much so quickly that nobody can ever be a complete digital native.
Being a digital native or as close as we can get to one has many adavantages as technology is extremely useful in a number of ways in education and otherwise however it is also something which one must be extremely cautious using.
With all of the new ways of shopping, sharing and socializing, I don't think that it is a matter of teaching young children how to do it because as is mentioned, the majority can already do these things from watching parents, siblings and friends from doing it. It is now more important to teach how to do it safely and responsibly. For example internet banking is becoming much more prominent since internet shopping has become so popular.
Furthermore, rather than telling pupils that they are not allowed to be using social networking sites, it is somewhat impractical to say this even to some of the youngest pupils. It is though, more practical to teach them how to use it safely, the importance of internet safety and the repercussions that could fall onto them if they take part in internet bullying, illegal music/video sharing (Which in much cases they may not even be aware of).
I agree that technology plays a huge part in many of our day to day lives, I think as the years have gone on, our need for technology have become more apparent. As mentioned by another blogger I believe that generations have just accepted and adapted to the change and the current generation have always had technology around so are much more able to use it. The problem now is whether they use it properly and safely. Using technology is not something that we as a younger generation think about using it, it just feels natural and the best way of keeping in contact with everyone.
I think that many families may try and shield and protect their children from this new way of life because they are wary of using it themselves. They will probably find that if they try to stop their children from using it, then it will make them do it behind their backs. I think the best way is not to preach to the next generation, but to teach them how to be safe when using technology. As it is still growing, I see this being a large part of the future, so our knowledge should be passed on.
Incorporating technology into new ways of teaching will strengthen some children’s learning abilities. Although a strong background of traditional teaching methods does need to be sustained to keep it fair on each pupil. This will also help the children learn to use it safely because they will be using safe sites in the classroom that they may wish to take home to play.
Furthermore, I believe that it is a large responsibility of parents and teachers, some of which will be Digital Immigrants, to provide protection and guidance for the next generation of Digital Natives to be safe.
I agree that technology plays a huge part in many of our day to day lives, I think as the years have gone on, our need for technology have become more apparent. As mentioned by another blogger I believe that generations have just accepted and adapted to the change and the current generation have always had technology around so are much more able to use it. The problem now is whether they use it properly and safely. Using technology is not something that we as a younger generation think about using it, it just feels natural and the best way of keeping in contact with everyone.
I think that many families may try and shield and protect their children from this new way of life because they are wary of using it themselves. They will probably find that if they try to stop their children from using it, then it will make them do it behind their backs. I think the best way is not to preach to the next generation, but to teach them how to be safe when using technology. As it is still growing, I see this being a large part of the future, so our knowledge should be passed on.
Incorporating technology into new ways of teaching will strengthen some children’s learning abilities. Although a strong background of traditional teaching methods does need to be sustained to keep it fair on each pupil. This will also help the children learn to use it safely because they will be using safe sites in the classroom that they may wish to take home to play.
Furthermore, I believe that it is a large responsibility of parents and teachers, some of which will be Digital Immigrants, to provide protection and guidance for the next generation of Digital Natives to be safe.
I thought this was a very interesting chapter and I wouldagree with many of Prensky’s ideas such as:
- Natives can keep in contact with friends via IM forfree, whereas Immigrants would have to pay money to stay in contact withfriends and family back in the day!
- The use of short abbreviations is very popular fornatives, such as POS (Parent Over Shoulder), Most immigrants wouldn’tunderstand what this means. I have never heard of h4t5tnt, I think that this isa very unusual abbreviation!!
- Online dating, advertising, finding a job, buying andselling products, just some of the things Prensky mentions that are becomingvery popular.
- My favourite quote of the chapter is, “No more ‘blind’meetings – or dates! – for this generation.” With the use of Facebook, Webcams,Skype etc, people can meet online before they actually meet in person and canget to know each other before they meet. You may be meeting someone you do notknow and most people will probably ‘Facebook-Creep’ this person before theymeet them, therefore I completely agree with Prensky’s view here.
However I did disagree with some of Prensky’s points:
- Prensky states that natives with dyslexia enjoy usingIM as the only rule is to make yourself understood. I was confused by this viewas I thought children with dyslexia would like to improve things such asspelling and grammar. Surely using IM would only make their condition worse?
- Prensky states that physical photo albums are a thingof the past, but I think people still like to have photo albums for holidays,weddings etc and I don’t think this will ever change. Whilst many people sharephotos online and keep photo albums on websites such as shutterfly, I stillbelieve that many people still like to print-out photos.
- Prensky also states that most immigrants use webcamsfor security purposes, such as keeping an eye on their babysitter. I know lotsof immigrants who use skype to keep in contact with their family, and I wouldthink that this is more popular than ‘spying on your babysitter!’
The conclusion I came to from reading this chapter is thatchildren are growing up much faster than adults would have, simply because ofthe internet and the vast majority of information that is available to themonline. Once a child learns how to use the internet and a laptop/PC, they willbe exposed to so much information and from this they will learn and learn andlearn.
I am 22 years old and remember getting our first pc when I was about 9! I do however think of myself as a digital native! I think the world wide web has opened so many new doors to society and believe the benefits are huge! However the internet must be approached with caution particularly for young children as there are many people out there who take advantage of being able to hide behind a laptop. Despite this i do not think parents should stop allowing their children to use the interent but that they should be monitored at all times.
Prensky's chapter on how digital natives work differently hits the nail on the head! It is the future and eventually we shall get to the point where everyone is a digital native so there is no point trying to stop this evoultion or fight against it!
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