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In his article "Do Generational Differences Matter in Instructional Design?", T.C. Reeves takes a different approach. Reeves takes a much closer look at what defines the generations. He believes it is much more complex than just dividing them into "digital natives" and "digital immigrants". After spending considerable time studying generational differences, Reeves concludes,
"Instead of worrying about whether Boomers, GenXers or Millennials will learn more from direct instruction or virtual reality games instructional designers and educational technology researchers working closely with practitioners and subject matter experts should begin by identifying the needs of any given set of learners, design the best possible prototype learning environments in situ, and then conduct iterative cycles of formative evaluation and refinement to optimize the solution and reveal robust design principles."(2008)In other words, educational technologists should focus more on the individualities of a particular student or class of students rather than considering their learning styles and needs as being dictated by an entire generation. I would tend to agree with Reeves. I would agree that today's students are digital natives in that they have been raised in the fast paced world of instant messaging and social media, however, many of the students I teach are not "digitally literate". They are capable of texting at 200+ words per minute or 'snapchating' their every mood and thought, but when it comes to using technology for educational purposes, they are not as adept. My 6th graders still struggle with effective Internet search techniques, developing a solid Powerpoint presentation, and creating an informative infographic. Technology can be used to differentiate, engage, motivate and meet the individual learning needs of each of our students. As educational technologists, these are the things we should be concerning ourselves with.
Wouldn't you agree?
References
McKenzie, J. (2007). Digital nativism: Digital delusions and digital deprivation.From Now On, 17(2). Retrieved from http://fno.org/nov07/nativism.html
Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives, digital immigrants – Part II: Do they really think differently? On the Horizon, 9(6). Retrieved from http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf
Reeves, T.C. (2008). Do generational differences matter in instructional design? Online discussion presentation to Instructional Technology Forum from January 22-25, 2008 at http://it.coe.uga.edu/itforum/Paper104/ReevesITForumJan08.pdf
Your comment that "educational technologists should focus more on the individualities of a particular student or class of students rather than considering their learning styles and needs as being dictated by an entire generation", I think nails it on the head. Regardless if they were born using technology or not, we need to concern ourselves with the individual and not a generalization. While we need to help our students with digital literacy, we could continue to use some of these skills, such as tweeting a thought in only 140 characters or texting, to our advantage. I did like the way Reeves breaks down the many generations and how they see different aspects of the world (not just technology). Definitely a more self-centered and instant feedback generation, but not everyone is engulfed in technology from morning until evening. Everyone is different, right?
ReplyDeleteI agree Katie! I even find myself expecting feedback instantly these days! I like your idea of using tweeting as a way to teach kids to summarize their thoughts.
DeleteYou've got it! I think of being a digital native as more of a culture. Those in the current generation as well as in my generation are affected by what surrounds them/us, just like other generations. That does not mean they/we learn differently or need to be taught differently. I have also found that despite being able to text, tweet, snapchat, and boomerang, not all students understand how to use technology for educational purposes.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely agree. Being able to figure out how something works by instinct doesn't mean you know how to use it correctly. Digital literacy matters.
ReplyDeleteI don't know,it might just be your school. My son made a Google Slides Presentation on space last year in first grade.
ReplyDeleteI am not saying that they are not capable of creating and working in technology. I just know from experience with my own kids and students that most of them are much more comfortable with social media than educational media.
DeleteWhen we talk about how technological kids are today, I think we need to think about how they are immersed. As you state, most are adept at social media like Snapchat, Facebook, and Instagram, but they lack skills in educational technology. Very few of my students know how to create and share presentations or search the Internet effectively. Few of them are aware of their digital footprints. These are all things we need to be teaching in school, especially for those kids who are not connected outside of school. Many of my students don't even own a cell phone, let alone a smartphone. Those who do tend to have track phones with uploaded minutes that run out when the money runs short.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lisa! I wouldn't say that students today are digital natives. Rather they immersed themselves in using technology. This doesn't necessarily mean that they are proficient in technology. Students still need some sort of guidance on what technology truly has to offer them in terms of enhancing their learning and making it effective for them. In my district, it is far and between that they truly understand what their digital footprints truly are, and how it affects them. Especially in terms of social media. Rather than be natives, they still immigrants to a point that they are still learning.
ReplyDeleteLisa and Matt, I agree wholeheartedly. Our students are still 'digital immigrants' when in comes to digital citizenship and educational uses of technology. It's not that they are not able to do it, they just have been guided in that direction.
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