Digital Natives

The current generation is known as the Net Generation because they have been surrounded by the Internet, and they never had to live without it. I think it is definitely possible for the Net Generation to learn differently. They are constantly learning about new technology. Technically, I fit into the category known as the Net Generation, but I do not feel that way. However, I identified with some of the ideas raised in Educating the Net Generation. The first few chapters of this text mention how teenagers multitask, whether it is text messaging and watching TV or listening to the radio and IMing. When I was in high school, I participated in many of these activities. The other idea I identified with was helping my parents learn about technology. I created emails for them and taught them how to use it. I convinced my parents to get cell phones when I wanted one, and I also showed them how to use the phones.

Digital Natives is a creative name that also refers to the Net Generation. I definitely agree that teachers have to communicate in a manner that students will understand. It is important that the Digital Immigrants change and learn about technology because Digital Natives are not going to go backwards and there is no reason why they should. The use of technology helps promote a constructivist environment which has been emphasized in schools.

I think that Digital Immigrants should learn from Passage Middle School because this school uses blogs as a creative assignment for writing. I think is a creative idea which gets students writing, but it gets the students to write using the Internet, something they enjoy. I think this proves that new concepts involving technology are not radical but they make complete sense. Wanting to be an English teacher at the secondary level, I think that using blogs is a wonderful idea. Teachers are always trying to find new ways to encourage their students to write, and I think students will love the idea of blogging.

Technology is all around us whether we like it or not, and educators know that their students love it, so they should incorporate these new ideas into their classroom to not only promote learning but to show their students that they know about the technology as well. Students know more about technology than most adults these days because they embrace it; they are not afraid to try new things and learn as they experience something new.

It is important to remember..."Kids grew up around computers. They love them. Their computers are their second teachers at home." from The 21st-Century Digital Learner