Comments on: Digital Natives have invaded my classroom http://podpirate.edublogs.org/2007/12/09/digital-natives-have-invaded-my-classroom/ - A place to organize my random thoughts on teaching.- Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:41:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Brian Van Dyck http://podpirate.edublogs.org/2007/12/09/digital-natives-have-invaded-my-classroom/#comment-4 Brian Van Dyck Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:57:53 +0000 http://podpirate.edublogs.org/2007/12/09/digital-natives-have-invaded-my-classroom/#comment-4 John, Thank you for responding. I have posted a similar response on your blog in case you miss this. Having read the posts and articles referenced on the <a href="http://blog.larkin.net.au/2007/09/16/digital-natives-or-simply-digital-dilettantes/" rel="nofollow">Digital Native debate</a>, it would seem that this is an issue of semantics. If the terms “Native” and “Immigrant” are perceived to create some sense of distance or insurmountable chasm between student and teacher, then the discussion surrounding the trends, observations, and opinions on this subject will break down. I agree that perhaps the terminology needs to be revamped, yet my experience with educating middle school students would suggest that the digital age has had a profound impact on the way students approach their learning experience. I do not feel that being a “Digital Native” suggests any level of mastery or proficiency, rather a shift in the manner students approach learning. My observations from my classroom experience confirm this suggested shift. I agree that my students, be they “Digital Natives” or “Digital Dilettantes”, demonstrate a wide range of ability, creativity, understanding, and proficiency when it comes to the use of digital tools in learning. The diversity of digital proficiency in the classroom only makes the task of differentiated instruction that much more daunting. I agree that the use of technology must be aligned to the curriculum and learning outcomes within a unit of study. When technology is used to teach students how to learn, how to problem solve, and how to create new content from their newly acquired knowledge, then the technology becomes valuable in creating meaning and understanding for our our students. This is a discussion that needs to continue for the benefit of every classroom teacher faced with teaching in the digital age. Aloha, Brian John,
Thank you for responding. I have posted a similar response on your blog in case you miss this.

Having read the posts and articles referenced on the Digital Native debate, it would seem that this is an issue of semantics. If the terms “Native” and “Immigrant” are perceived to create some sense of distance or insurmountable chasm between student and teacher, then the discussion surrounding the trends, observations, and opinions on this subject will break down. I agree that perhaps the terminology needs to be revamped, yet my experience with educating middle school students would suggest that the digital age has had a profound impact on the way students approach their learning experience. I do not feel that being a “Digital Native” suggests any level of mastery or proficiency, rather a shift in the manner students approach learning. My observations from my classroom experience confirm this suggested shift. I agree that my students, be they “Digital Natives” or “Digital Dilettantes”, demonstrate a wide range of ability, creativity, understanding, and proficiency when it comes to the use of digital tools in learning. The diversity of digital proficiency in the classroom only makes the task of differentiated instruction that much more daunting. I agree that the use of technology must be aligned to the curriculum and learning outcomes within a unit of study. When technology is used to teach students how to learn, how to problem solve, and how to create new content from their newly acquired knowledge, then the technology becomes valuable in creating meaning and understanding for our our students. This is a discussion that needs to continue for the benefit of every classroom teacher faced with teaching in the digital age.

Aloha,

Brian

]]> By: John Larkin http://podpirate.edublogs.org/2007/12/09/digital-natives-have-invaded-my-classroom/#comment-3 John Larkin Sat, 29 Dec 2007 20:44:43 +0000 http://podpirate.edublogs.org/2007/12/09/digital-natives-have-invaded-my-classroom/#comment-3 Hi Brian It is interesting that you make reference to the Digital Natives. I have occasionally wondered how native the students are in fact. The students certainly have the tech skills and are easily entertained by the tools. As teachers I feel we need to share with them how to become truly productive, creative and original in their use of the tools. I posted about this earlier. Feel free to read. http://blog.larkin.net.au/2007/10/23/the-digital-natives-debate-continues/ http://blog.larkin.net.au/2007/09/16/digital-natives-or-simply-digital-dilettantes/ Cheers John Hi Brian

It is interesting that you make reference to the Digital Natives. I have occasionally wondered how native the students are in fact. The students certainly have the tech skills and are easily entertained by the tools. As teachers I feel we need to share with them how to become truly productive, creative and original in their use of the tools. I posted about this earlier. Feel free to read.

http://blog.larkin.net.au/2007/10/23/the-digital-natives-debate-continues/

http://blog.larkin.net.au/2007/09/16/digital-natives-or-simply-digital-dilettantes/

Cheers

John

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