Here the author describes the problems faced as a result of teachers who are digital immigrants using the types of teaching methods they were taught by in order to teach digital natives. He argues that as a result of this shift digital natives learn in a different way to the previous generation, so teaching methods equally need to change.
My problem with this is that the suggestions the author makes are inevitably flawed in that he himself is a digital immigrant. It is all very well suggesting that digital natives will learn more effectively if they are taught by a video game, and this seems to go with the logic he is describing, but does this necessarily mean that we ought to be using this method to teach spelling, geography, or chemistry? I am tempted to think not, in that school is an environment which lends itself to learning and education, having a teacher stand at the front of the classroom is something I associate with learning, and taking in information. On the other hand, sitting on the Internet is something I associate with my free time, and socializing ahead of taking in facts. I think a clear distinction and set of cultural practices are needed for both in order to prevent learning becoming trivialized.
And in this case, surely to put across his argument in a format which is more relevant to the digital natives, his article should have instead been represented through a “shoot ‘em up” style video game rather than an uninspiring black text on white background with no images?
URL: http://www.ascd.org/authors/ed_lead/el200512_prensky.html
Do you think that it's possible that people have over estimated the capabilities of 'digital natives.' In my research this week I have found some research that has been undertaken into how the younger generations aren't as naturally able as initally expressed, they still need teaching but maybe because new technology is such a integral part of their social lives the assumption is merged into when their education but older generations aren't as dependant on new technologies in their leisure time?
ReplyDeleteOn the money again ladies. Well done!
ReplyDeleteTry to bring in some of the previous issues in the unit too. -Is some of the stuff you're unearthing simply New Media Hype? stressing the technodeterminist cyber-utopian future that makes young people the natural 'angels' in this discourse?
What about the digital divide? What about new media literacy? (this is that argument on steroids isn't it?)
I would agree that there are exceptions to the rule. Not all young people are technological whizz kids who can do it all, they may speak the language but do they speak poetically or are they using putting it together just enough to make sense?
ReplyDeleteI like what you said Cara about youths not necessarily being digital natives in all areas. When it comes to social tasks, like facebook etc. everyone seems to know what they're doing. But in terms of using more sophisticated programmes it's not as easy to naturally pick up. I certainly have learnt how to use certain programmes without it being immediately obvious in terms increasing my new media literacy.
I think it's easy for 'digital immigrants' to see younger generations as more able when it comes to new media, but would it be the same for education through new media? Generally aren't all of us going to be better at something we enjoy doing? And for 'digital natives' isn't this new technologies, online games, social networking sites etc. I don't think it would work work as well as Prensky assumes. Also with reference to the digital divide it's also not possible.
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