Undeniably, the world has continued to evolve following the consistent technological advancements and believe me, there is no stopping! With the advent of the Web, young people have become 'technologically-wired', preferring texting and instant messaging over phone calls, blogging, social media sites, and e-mails over letter writing, spending more time playing video games, creating videos, and sharing photos with friends online. This has had effects on their learning experience in schools, which are still stuck with the traditional classroom set-up and teachers who have not been able to keep up with the demands of their 21st century learners.
According to Schrum & Solomon (2007), "technology affects how students live and communicate and when, where, and how they learn ..... Having digital technology at their fingertips all the time means that students think, work, and play differently from previous generations" (p.27). Unfortunately, this has not been their experience in schools as their needs have still not been met. Their teachers (mostly digital immigrants or tourists) have made no advancements in their teaching strategies. Just like in the traditional classroom, teachers still play the role of experts while students are forced to be passive listeners.
Today's world is in need of divergent thinkers- people who think critically and do not believe in 'one' right answer. In 2009, Gilbert posited that " if all we are skilled in and duly rewarded for is the one right answer then we seriously narrow down our creativity and significantly reduce the opportunity to use the tremendous power of the human brain to take amazing cognitive leaps sideways in many different directions at the same time" (p. 43). Hence, students need to be given opportunities to create and work collaboratively, which are what they already do at home, thanks to technology.
As I read through the materials, I could not help but wonder whether or not using technologies liberally at home actually imply that kids use technologies appropriately. Are they adept enough to handle cyber bullying, predators and criminals? Prensky (2006) stated that "...with this increased online communication comes the dangers of predators and criminals-which are real-but the Natives are not about to let that spoil their party.... they have begun to create and evolve online reputation systems to keep themselves and their friends safe- or at least safer- in the digital world" (p.42). Somehow I feel Prensky's assumption is somewhat overstated. In as much as the Natives have been creative in their use of the Internet, what percentage of the Natives uses the Internet positively?
Personally, I would not call myself a native neither am I an Immigrant, however I am closer to being a native, as I am open to innovation and I love technologies and to a great extent promote critical thinking and creativity. As a learner, I was not given the opportunity to take ownership of my learning, I wish I did, I want my students to. I want my students to use their digital innovations positively. I believe this is where teachers should come in. "Students need to be taught from an early age how to evaluate the links they come across and how to use them wisely" (Vacca, J.,Vacca, R.& Mraz, M., 2011, p.39).
Schrum & Solomon (2007) pointed that "many students cannot afford 24/7 access to technology" (p.26). This is another issue that came to my attention from the readings. We have students whose parents cannot afford 24/7 Internet access- students from low socio-economic backgrounds, homeless kids, orphans, and students in the 'so-called' third world countries. As their peers advance intellectually and in creativity, they remain stuck where they are and may find it hard to adapt in their society. They have no access to technologies at home or in the streets, if they go to school at all; they attend poor schools that cannot provide them the technological knowledge they need. What would become of them? How would they survive this century? How can they be helped? I wonder.... I still wonder..... I perhaps would keep wondering!
Below is a short video depicting the gap between digital immigants and digital natives, and presenting the needs of the natives. Enjoy!
References
Gilbert, I. (2009). Nothing is more dangerous than an idea when it's the only idea you've got. Why do I need a teacher when I've got Google?: things every teacher should know (pp. 42-46). London: Routledge.
Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). Students and learning. Web 2.0: new tools, new schools (pp. 25-44). Eugene, Or.: International Society for Technology in Education.
Prensky, M. (2006). The emerging online life of a digital native. "Don't bother me Mom, I'm learning!": how computer and video games are preparing your kids for twenty-first century success and how you can help! (pp. 40-51). St. Paul, Minn.: Paragon House.
Vacca, J., Vacca, R. & Mraz, M. (2011). Content area reading: Literacy and learning across th curriculum (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
