So what does that actually mean? According to Prensky(2001) digital natives are those who were born into the culture of digital technology world and speak its native language. Immigrants are those of us who weren't born into this era but are fascinated by it and have even adopted and live by some of the culture. Immigrants learn to adapt to their environment but they to some degree always keep aspects of their accent.
Take a look at these statistics from 2001 ( so no doubt would have increased by now),
The average college grad would have spent:
- 5 000hrs of their life reading
- 10 000 hrs playing video games and
- 20 000hrs watching tv
"Today's students are no longer the people our educational system was designed to teach.... digital immigrant instructors, who speak an outdated language, are struggling to teach a population that speaks an entirely new language"
This hit home for me because when I did a self inventory I noticed that my methods in the classroom whilst trying to use the native digital language of my students may be outdated and in need of improvement. I will be so much more aware as I head back into the classroom next year. It is time to rethink methods and even content to ensure that these digital natives that will be entrusted to my educational care are looked after and educated appropriately... I will have to change, not my learners. It will be a challenge but I am up to it! Are you?
HHrrrmmm I have read the article previously Shelley and found it very interesting. I'd have to say that I'm probably a native. From as early as I can remember, back into pre-school/prep we had two of the 'old school' black and green screen computers in the room and have grown up and gone through 16years of education so far, accompanied with ICTs to some degree.
ReplyDeleteI love being a digital native but there is always pros & cons to it! ;)
Cheers
Kat
Yes I can tell that you are a digital native Kat! You do so well in this subject:) It is great to have someone to look to for advice and help when we need it.
ReplyDeleteI love technology and yes I remember the old school Apple computers that played Carmen San Diego. It was such a highlight to do that every Friday morning. I guess I am similar to you in that I have had access to computer labs for most of my schooling -well from about grade 5 anyway! So maybe I am wrong once again and am more native than I realised. In comparison to the kids and teenagers I see today I feel quite like an immigrant:) LOL
Thanks for giving me something to think about:)
Shells :D
Hi Shelley
ReplyDeleteFrom one Immigrant to another well done on you Blogging - interesting reading and a great variety to explore - thank you for helping another 10 minutes whizz by like 2!
Look forward to catching up on more on Wed! I like our collaborative sessions in between lectures, it's so true that you do learn more about your thinking when you can 'talk it' out loud! Think That should be another HoM 'talking about your thinking'!
Sharon :)
Oops on 'your' Blogging I meant to type! You see it pays to read things over and over sometimes!
ReplyDeleteS :)