The experience of a fictional technophile student in 2020
Callum's day starts off by him turning on his laptop and checking his Facebook and messages, while at the same time looking on his Blackberry to check his daily emails. He's got very good at multi-tasking these past few years! He sees that he's been invited to a party group via Facebook so checks his PDA to check if he's free on the calender. He is, so clicks confirm on the party invitation. After his social tasks are done he then gets ready for his virtual seminar that is about to start.
Once Callum's webcam is set up he joins the rest of his classmates on the virtual seminar. On the same screen he can see the other 6 students and his tutor who are all discussing the topic on whether or not to eradicate classrooms all together as online teaching is the main method these days. Once the seminar is technically over his stays online and chats to his classmates a bit longer before signing off the university portal and signing onto Skype to chat to his friend Mike in Australia. After making numerous jokes that Mike's new beard makes him look gay he signs off Skype and turns off his web cam so he can do some work.
Callum downloads this weeks lecture off the uni podcast and listens to it on his IPod while playing World of Warcraft with 200 other people online. After the podcast has finished he makes notes on the topic discussed and gets ready to go out for another party he got invited to on Facebook last week!
Monday, 14 April 2008
Week 9 tasks
Frustrations of the fictional neo-luddite
Sophie was having the best dreams about winning scrabble to her flatmate tim last night, until she slowly drifted awake to the harsh sunlight beaming on her face. Crap, it's midday and she slept through her wound up alarm clock again. The quiet bell just isn't enough to wake her up from her good dreams anymore! Unlike herself, sophie's classmates had all been woken up by their mobile phone alarms at 8 o'clock promptly and had been in lectures all morning.
Sophie rushes out of bed and gets dressed to the quiet hum of the cars outside her window, every now and again catching parts of Britney Spears 'Gimme More' which is being played in the flat next door. She quickly leaves for the 40 minute walk into uni with only her thoughts to keep her entertained.
As sophie realises shes missed all of the day's lectures she walks into the library to try and make up for the lost work of the day. She cannot find a spare table anywhere to get her notebook out and write notes so she has to sit at a computer space. How the hell does she log into this?? She presses a few buttons and after an hour realises the password is her uni number. The library is filled with the mixing sounds of everyone's IPods and mobile phone conversations. She remembers the days when library's were strictly silent.
After constant struggling to get to grips with the computer, the patronising looks from the people sitting next to her get too much and she decides today is a lost cause and leaves. The long walk home gives her time to think about the day's frustrations. Maybe in today's society there just isn't room for a neo-luddite like sophie....
Sophie was having the best dreams about winning scrabble to her flatmate tim last night, until she slowly drifted awake to the harsh sunlight beaming on her face. Crap, it's midday and she slept through her wound up alarm clock again. The quiet bell just isn't enough to wake her up from her good dreams anymore! Unlike herself, sophie's classmates had all been woken up by their mobile phone alarms at 8 o'clock promptly and had been in lectures all morning.
Sophie rushes out of bed and gets dressed to the quiet hum of the cars outside her window, every now and again catching parts of Britney Spears 'Gimme More' which is being played in the flat next door. She quickly leaves for the 40 minute walk into uni with only her thoughts to keep her entertained.
As sophie realises shes missed all of the day's lectures she walks into the library to try and make up for the lost work of the day. She cannot find a spare table anywhere to get her notebook out and write notes so she has to sit at a computer space. How the hell does she log into this?? She presses a few buttons and after an hour realises the password is her uni number. The library is filled with the mixing sounds of everyone's IPods and mobile phone conversations. She remembers the days when library's were strictly silent.
After constant struggling to get to grips with the computer, the patronising looks from the people sitting next to her get too much and she decides today is a lost cause and leaves. The long walk home gives her time to think about the day's frustrations. Maybe in today's society there just isn't room for a neo-luddite like sophie....
Week 9 tasks
Threats to the notions of digital immigrant/native
I think both of my posts about the oldest digital native and the youngest digital immigrant i know threaten the notion of these terms. They both go against what Prensky says about these categories and therefore threaten his theory.
I do not think that you have to be under 25 to be a digital native, you can be any age as long as you have the thirst for knowledge and the desire to learn new skills in new technology. Also, i don't think that just because you are young and born in this generation it means that you have to have the skills to use new modern technology.
I think this theory should be made broader as i believe age shouldn't be such a significant factor, and there should be more categories instead of just two terms to describe the whole of society.
I think both of my posts about the oldest digital native and the youngest digital immigrant i know threaten the notion of these terms. They both go against what Prensky says about these categories and therefore threaten his theory.
I do not think that you have to be under 25 to be a digital native, you can be any age as long as you have the thirst for knowledge and the desire to learn new skills in new technology. Also, i don't think that just because you are young and born in this generation it means that you have to have the skills to use new modern technology.
I think this theory should be made broader as i believe age shouldn't be such a significant factor, and there should be more categories instead of just two terms to describe the whole of society.
Week 9 tasks
The youngest digital immigrant i know
The youngest digital immigrant i know is my friend Josh who is 20 years old and is pretty behind the times when it comes to new technology! I am still shocked that he doesn't have a 'Facebook' profile and that he doesn't really even know what it is! I don't think i know anyone, especially at university that isn't on facebook. Even my little cousins know what it is! In some ways i respect him for not going along with the crowd as his view on it is, "I've lived this long without it, i can live on without it fine!". However, i do feel that he is missing out on a great socially interactive form of technology and i still try to persuade him to get facebook every time i see him lol.
He also doesn't have a very modern mobile phone which is quite unusual for people of his age who would usually want to have the newest one out. His view is that he doesn't use the sophisticated parts on a mobile and literally uses it to call and text, so therefore he doesn't need to pay loads of money to get the newest and most technologically advanced one out. I can defiantly see his point of view, but i would miss the other features on my phone like the camera and internet service.
My friend goes against Prensky's theory as he is born in this digital native generation yet is not a digital native himself and is unlikely to change and gain these skills because of the views he holds towards it. Even though i couldn't go through life myself without modern technology, i do respect him for standing by his guns!! It also shows again that Prensky's argument is not always correct.
The youngest digital immigrant i know is my friend Josh who is 20 years old and is pretty behind the times when it comes to new technology! I am still shocked that he doesn't have a 'Facebook' profile and that he doesn't really even know what it is! I don't think i know anyone, especially at university that isn't on facebook. Even my little cousins know what it is! In some ways i respect him for not going along with the crowd as his view on it is, "I've lived this long without it, i can live on without it fine!". However, i do feel that he is missing out on a great socially interactive form of technology and i still try to persuade him to get facebook every time i see him lol.
He also doesn't have a very modern mobile phone which is quite unusual for people of his age who would usually want to have the newest one out. His view is that he doesn't use the sophisticated parts on a mobile and literally uses it to call and text, so therefore he doesn't need to pay loads of money to get the newest and most technologically advanced one out. I can defiantly see his point of view, but i would miss the other features on my phone like the camera and internet service.
My friend goes against Prensky's theory as he is born in this digital native generation yet is not a digital native himself and is unlikely to change and gain these skills because of the views he holds towards it. Even though i couldn't go through life myself without modern technology, i do respect him for standing by his guns!! It also shows again that Prensky's argument is not always correct.
Week 9 tasks
The oldest digital native i know
The oldest digital native i know has to be my nan, she surprises me every time i go round to see her! No more than 5 years ago i would have classified her as a digital immigrant, but over the years she has gained so many new skills concerning technology i would defiantly call her a digital native now.
She has a lot of resistance from my grandad as he is a definate digital immigrant and is no chance of changing, but she still enabled her house to include numerous new technologies. To start with she got a computer and installed the internet (with a little help from me i admit, but this was a few years ago!), and started to use it nearly everyday. She loves emailing her friends and instead of getting a letter from her once a week like i used to i now receive numerous emails letting me know the family news! - that alone shows how society has changed!
She then got 'Sky Plus' which she got the hang of straight away and now records everything she can. One time i didn't know why things kept deleting themselves on our Sky Plus and she showed me how to fix it! She also has an up-to-date mobile and often texts me off it.
It just shows that Prensky's theory isn't concrete - you don't have to be under 25 to be a digital native. Its as young as you feel!!
The oldest digital native i know has to be my nan, she surprises me every time i go round to see her! No more than 5 years ago i would have classified her as a digital immigrant, but over the years she has gained so many new skills concerning technology i would defiantly call her a digital native now.
She has a lot of resistance from my grandad as he is a definate digital immigrant and is no chance of changing, but she still enabled her house to include numerous new technologies. To start with she got a computer and installed the internet (with a little help from me i admit, but this was a few years ago!), and started to use it nearly everyday. She loves emailing her friends and instead of getting a letter from her once a week like i used to i now receive numerous emails letting me know the family news! - that alone shows how society has changed!
She then got 'Sky Plus' which she got the hang of straight away and now records everything she can. One time i didn't know why things kept deleting themselves on our Sky Plus and she showed me how to fix it! She also has an up-to-date mobile and often texts me off it.
It just shows that Prensky's theory isn't concrete - you don't have to be under 25 to be a digital native. Its as young as you feel!!
Week 9 tasks
The 'Semantic Web'
The Semantic Web is not a different technology to the World Wide Web that we have today, it is the technology that will evolve from it. Most of the Web's content today is designed for humans to read, not for computer programs to manipulate meaningfully. Computers can read web pages for layout and routine processing such as what is a 'header' and what is a 'hyperlink', but in general, computers have no reliable way to process the semantics - for example the home page of a Doctor's clinic will have the CV of the doctor, the hours that specific doctor works, the appointment times that doctor has, and the exact distance it would take for you to drive there from your house, etc. The Semantic Web will bring structure to the meaningful content of Web pages that are already here where computers can carry out these sophisticated tasks for the users automatically.
These semantics will be encoded into the Web page giving the page well-defined meaning and enabling people and computers to work together efficiently. These developments are on their way in the near future and will enable computers to process and "understand" the
data that they merely display at present.
I think this is extremely interesting and exciting as it will greatly improve the way we use the internet and technology today. What do you think? Do you think it will change our society in any way?
The Semantic Web is not a different technology to the World Wide Web that we have today, it is the technology that will evolve from it. Most of the Web's content today is designed for humans to read, not for computer programs to manipulate meaningfully. Computers can read web pages for layout and routine processing such as what is a 'header' and what is a 'hyperlink', but in general, computers have no reliable way to process the semantics - for example the home page of a Doctor's clinic will have the CV of the doctor, the hours that specific doctor works, the appointment times that doctor has, and the exact distance it would take for you to drive there from your house, etc. The Semantic Web will bring structure to the meaningful content of Web pages that are already here where computers can carry out these sophisticated tasks for the users automatically.
These semantics will be encoded into the Web page giving the page well-defined meaning and enabling people and computers to work together efficiently. These developments are on their way in the near future and will enable computers to process and "understand" the
data that they merely display at present.
I think this is extremely interesting and exciting as it will greatly improve the way we use the internet and technology today. What do you think? Do you think it will change our society in any way?
Week 9 tasks
Education being tailored to personal preferences
I do not think education should be tailored to personal preferences as this can only lead to problems and inevitably a problem in the students behaviour and discipline. If teachers adapt their way of teaching for a specific student then the rest of the class will feel as though that one student is getting 'special treatment' which could lead to bullying for that one student. This could then lead to the students revolting against the teacher for them not getting special treatment also.
However, i do believe that if it is an issue concerning the student's health or learning capability then i do agree with the teachers adapting slightly to assist them. For example, if a student in my exam in secondary school was dyslexic or had a learning disability then i found it fair that they were given extra time and extra help than the rest of us. I didn't resent them for getting extra help and i didn't find it unfair that i wasn't getting that help as well because i understood that in that situation the education system had to be adapted and tailored to fit that specific student's needs.
What do you think on this topic?
I do not think education should be tailored to personal preferences as this can only lead to problems and inevitably a problem in the students behaviour and discipline. If teachers adapt their way of teaching for a specific student then the rest of the class will feel as though that one student is getting 'special treatment' which could lead to bullying for that one student. This could then lead to the students revolting against the teacher for them not getting special treatment also.
However, i do believe that if it is an issue concerning the student's health or learning capability then i do agree with the teachers adapting slightly to assist them. For example, if a student in my exam in secondary school was dyslexic or had a learning disability then i found it fair that they were given extra time and extra help than the rest of us. I didn't resent them for getting extra help and i didn't find it unfair that i wasn't getting that help as well because i understood that in that situation the education system had to be adapted and tailored to fit that specific student's needs.
What do you think on this topic?
Week 9 tasks
Should education stretch a person?
I believe that education should stretch a person but only to an extent that is beneficial to them and not too stressful as this could hinder other aspects of their life. I agree with a strict education system as i went to a fairly strict school and i can now see the benefits of it, even though at the time i found it hard and didn't enjoy it at some times. In my mind, 'stretching' a person means making them use their full potential and getting the most out of them. Students may only excel at a few subjects, so therefore i believe more attention should be paid to those specific subjects so they can get the most out of their school education instead of pushing them harder on subjects they do not excel at.
I think praise and encouragement is the best method of stretching someone to do their best as it gives them motivation to work harder. I didn't particularly enjoy English at school but when my teacher gave me praise on the areas i did well at it gave me motivation to keep engaged on the subject and not give up just because i didn't like it. I think this is also a good method with less academic students as instead of pointing out their flaws it allows them to enjoy the subject they are good at.
What do you think? Do you agree with me that schools should have a strict system but with constant encouragement, or do you have another idea?
I believe that education should stretch a person but only to an extent that is beneficial to them and not too stressful as this could hinder other aspects of their life. I agree with a strict education system as i went to a fairly strict school and i can now see the benefits of it, even though at the time i found it hard and didn't enjoy it at some times. In my mind, 'stretching' a person means making them use their full potential and getting the most out of them. Students may only excel at a few subjects, so therefore i believe more attention should be paid to those specific subjects so they can get the most out of their school education instead of pushing them harder on subjects they do not excel at.
I think praise and encouragement is the best method of stretching someone to do their best as it gives them motivation to work harder. I didn't particularly enjoy English at school but when my teacher gave me praise on the areas i did well at it gave me motivation to keep engaged on the subject and not give up just because i didn't like it. I think this is also a good method with less academic students as instead of pointing out their flaws it allows them to enjoy the subject they are good at.
What do you think? Do you agree with me that schools should have a strict system but with constant encouragement, or do you have another idea?
Week 9 tasks
The 'digital divide' and its affects
As Wenger and Prensky state, society is at different level of skills and knowledge when it comes to new technology and the skills that come with it. This therefore can lead to problems occurring throughout society and even across the entire world as people fight to keep up with each other in the knowledge needed for the digital native generation.
In relation to socio-economic issues there are major concerns involving people's skills in new technology and how that can affect their livelihood. In today's generation businesses want staff who are up to date on technology and who have the knowledge to use these new technologies without any help. If a digital native and a digital immigrant went for a job interview, the most likely outcome would be that the digital native would get the job. This is down to them seeming more competent and therefore a better choice as they won't need any training or help to slot into the business and deal with technological issues on a daily basis. The digital immigrant is seen as older and therefore not as good at the job in hand.
I believe this is unfair as with a bit of training a digital immigrant could be even better at the job than a digital native as they are slightly older and therefore may have other skills that are useful at the job such as being more confident and having good people skills.
Affects across the globe
The main issue i see with technological differences across different countries is the lack of communication that could arise from this. If all countries were at the same level of technology then we could communicate with people in third world countries with ease and then there wouldn't be this image of these kind of countries being 'behind the times'. Unfortunately this isn't the case and some of these countries and regions are very isolated with no methods or funds to gain these sorts of new technologies.
Also, the difference in technology around the world affects the health system. I personally would not trust the health system in a third world country as they are not as well equipped with new technology and therefore are seen as less reliable. What do you think, do you think this is a justified statement? Or would you disagree?
As Wenger and Prensky state, society is at different level of skills and knowledge when it comes to new technology and the skills that come with it. This therefore can lead to problems occurring throughout society and even across the entire world as people fight to keep up with each other in the knowledge needed for the digital native generation.
In relation to socio-economic issues there are major concerns involving people's skills in new technology and how that can affect their livelihood. In today's generation businesses want staff who are up to date on technology and who have the knowledge to use these new technologies without any help. If a digital native and a digital immigrant went for a job interview, the most likely outcome would be that the digital native would get the job. This is down to them seeming more competent and therefore a better choice as they won't need any training or help to slot into the business and deal with technological issues on a daily basis. The digital immigrant is seen as older and therefore not as good at the job in hand.
I believe this is unfair as with a bit of training a digital immigrant could be even better at the job than a digital native as they are slightly older and therefore may have other skills that are useful at the job such as being more confident and having good people skills.
Affects across the globe
The main issue i see with technological differences across different countries is the lack of communication that could arise from this. If all countries were at the same level of technology then we could communicate with people in third world countries with ease and then there wouldn't be this image of these kind of countries being 'behind the times'. Unfortunately this isn't the case and some of these countries and regions are very isolated with no methods or funds to gain these sorts of new technologies.
Also, the difference in technology around the world affects the health system. I personally would not trust the health system in a third world country as they are not as well equipped with new technology and therefore are seen as less reliable. What do you think, do you think this is a justified statement? Or would you disagree?
Week 9 tasks
Wenger VS Prensky
Wenger's theory on Community of Practice is similar to Prensky's theory in relation to education on a number of levels. Wenger stated that in a community of practice there are different levels of the participants according to how good their skills are at the practice in hand. However, he does not say this is in a power hierarchical form. There is a sense of authority in the leader of the practice but there is no atmosphere of competition or authority in the rest of the group, but more of a sense of learning from each other. No one is seen as 'better than' someone else, they are just seen as being at a higher level of skills then the rest but are happy to help others learn off them.
This can relate to Prensky and education as digital natives and digital immigrants are both living in today's society and in the education system next to one another, but it doesn't mean one is better than the other. Yes digital natives may be better at discussing new technology and how to use it easily, but it doesn't mean they have more power than digital immigrants. They can learn off each other which allows digital immigrants to gain access to new knowledge concerning technology and there is the same feeling of community learning as there is in a 'Community of Practice'.
Wenger's theory on Community of Practice is similar to Prensky's theory in relation to education on a number of levels. Wenger stated that in a community of practice there are different levels of the participants according to how good their skills are at the practice in hand. However, he does not say this is in a power hierarchical form. There is a sense of authority in the leader of the practice but there is no atmosphere of competition or authority in the rest of the group, but more of a sense of learning from each other. No one is seen as 'better than' someone else, they are just seen as being at a higher level of skills then the rest but are happy to help others learn off them.
This can relate to Prensky and education as digital natives and digital immigrants are both living in today's society and in the education system next to one another, but it doesn't mean one is better than the other. Yes digital natives may be better at discussing new technology and how to use it easily, but it doesn't mean they have more power than digital immigrants. They can learn off each other which allows digital immigrants to gain access to new knowledge concerning technology and there is the same feeling of community learning as there is in a 'Community of Practice'.
Week 8 Tasks
Digital Immigration - arguments on articles
My only main argument against the articles is the generalisation that seems to be occurring about this topic of digital immigration. Prensky's theory means there are only two main categories - digital natives and digital immigrants - which i feel is not being specific enough. All of the articles are basing their research just on these primary terms instead of thinking in a broader way of people that may fall just outside of these categories but still have similar characteristics.
Also i disagree with saying that people over a certain age are then categorised as digital immigrants as they are 'past it' and can't pick up the knowledge of a digital native just because of their age. The articles research into digital natives deal with people from a younger generation, but i would like to see data from older candidates that still have the same skills as younger digital natives.
I was interested in the articles that dealt with education and how new methods of teaching is being brought into the classroom like downloading lectures onto Ipods, etc. However, i have disagreements and concerns that our society are becoming too dependent on new technology and that maybe we are becoming lazy in this new generation of digital natives. We rely so heavily on technology to assist with lectures and seminars that we are forgetting the traditional forms of learning with a classroom of students all interacting with each other with pens and paper! I just hope this interest of adapting to the learning needs of digital natives doesn't dissolve all of the former traditional forms of teaching.
My only main argument against the articles is the generalisation that seems to be occurring about this topic of digital immigration. Prensky's theory means there are only two main categories - digital natives and digital immigrants - which i feel is not being specific enough. All of the articles are basing their research just on these primary terms instead of thinking in a broader way of people that may fall just outside of these categories but still have similar characteristics.
Also i disagree with saying that people over a certain age are then categorised as digital immigrants as they are 'past it' and can't pick up the knowledge of a digital native just because of their age. The articles research into digital natives deal with people from a younger generation, but i would like to see data from older candidates that still have the same skills as younger digital natives.
I was interested in the articles that dealt with education and how new methods of teaching is being brought into the classroom like downloading lectures onto Ipods, etc. However, i have disagreements and concerns that our society are becoming too dependent on new technology and that maybe we are becoming lazy in this new generation of digital natives. We rely so heavily on technology to assist with lectures and seminars that we are forgetting the traditional forms of learning with a classroom of students all interacting with each other with pens and paper! I just hope this interest of adapting to the learning needs of digital natives doesn't dissolve all of the former traditional forms of teaching.
Thursday, 10 April 2008
Week 8 Tasks
Digital Immigration - article bibliography
Al-Khamayseh S, Zmijewska A, Lawrence E, et al.
Mobile learning systems for digital natives6th IASTED International Conference on Web-Based Education, MAR 14-16, 2007PROCEEDINGS OF THE SIXTH IASTED INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON WEB-BASED EDUCATION 252-257, 2007
Levinsen KT
Baby Boomers with Neo-millennial Learning Styles2nd International Conference on e-Learning (ICEL 2007), JUN 28-29, 20072ND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON E-LEARNING, PROCEEDINGS 489-496, 2007
Lin YH
Integrating scenarios of video games into classroom instruction1st International Symposium on Information Technologies and Applications in Education (ISITAE 2007), NOV 23-25, 2007PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2007 1ST INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS IN EDUCATION (ISITAE 2007) 593-596, 2007
McLaren, SV
Exploring perceptions and attitudes towards teaching and learning manual technical drawing in a digital ageINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN EDUCATION, 18 (2): 167-188 MAR 2008
Robinson S
Using podcasting in a hybrid course: A case study6th European Conference on e-Learning (ECEL 2007), OCT 04-05, 20076TH EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON E-LEARNING 513-517, 2007
Al-Khamayseh S, Zmijewska A, Lawrence E, et al.
Mobile learning systems for digital natives6th IASTED International Conference on Web-Based Education, MAR 14-16, 2007PROCEEDINGS OF THE SIXTH IASTED INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON WEB-BASED EDUCATION 252-257, 2007
Levinsen KT
Baby Boomers with Neo-millennial Learning Styles2nd International Conference on e-Learning (ICEL 2007), JUN 28-29, 20072ND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON E-LEARNING, PROCEEDINGS 489-496, 2007
Lin YH
Integrating scenarios of video games into classroom instruction1st International Symposium on Information Technologies and Applications in Education (ISITAE 2007), NOV 23-25, 2007PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2007 1ST INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS IN EDUCATION (ISITAE 2007) 593-596, 2007
McLaren, SV
Exploring perceptions and attitudes towards teaching and learning manual technical drawing in a digital ageINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN EDUCATION, 18 (2): 167-188 MAR 2008
Robinson S
Using podcasting in a hybrid course: A case study6th European Conference on e-Learning (ECEL 2007), OCT 04-05, 20076TH EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON E-LEARNING 513-517, 2007
Week 8 Tasks
Digital Immigration - article 5
This article deals with the various ways universities could adapt their teaching so to adjust to the digital native way of learning which involves more computer based and visual teaching. The article includes a lot of data and how it gained this data through numerous different methods. There was a survey carried out on IT teachers in eight universities in Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Europe to explore their ways of coping with large group teaching and the development of digital learning.
The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of various teaching methods in similar IT teaching faculties around the world. Interviewees were selected through web-based research to identify the most comparable teaching departments from various universities locally, nationally and internationally. In telephone interviews many of the respondents reported on their use of the Internet for teaching and managing large groups but none mentioned the use of mobile learning as a method of teaching. This article argues that mobile devices such as the video iPod, 3G phones and PDAs have the potential to revolutionise the teaching experiences of the 21st century students and the digital natives of this generation. I think this is an exciting study as it shows how teachers across the world are creating new innovative ideas to help identify with digital native students and how to teach them better.
This article deals with the various ways universities could adapt their teaching so to adjust to the digital native way of learning which involves more computer based and visual teaching. The article includes a lot of data and how it gained this data through numerous different methods. There was a survey carried out on IT teachers in eight universities in Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Europe to explore their ways of coping with large group teaching and the development of digital learning.
The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of various teaching methods in similar IT teaching faculties around the world. Interviewees were selected through web-based research to identify the most comparable teaching departments from various universities locally, nationally and internationally. In telephone interviews many of the respondents reported on their use of the Internet for teaching and managing large groups but none mentioned the use of mobile learning as a method of teaching. This article argues that mobile devices such as the video iPod, 3G phones and PDAs have the potential to revolutionise the teaching experiences of the 21st century students and the digital natives of this generation. I think this is an exciting study as it shows how teachers across the world are creating new innovative ideas to help identify with digital native students and how to teach them better.
Week 8 Tasks
Digital Immigration - article 4
This article discusses how this new generation of digital native students is starting to become harder to engage in the classroom as they attention is more focused on digital-based learning instead of traditional classroom teaching. This study therefore addresses the innovative idea of bringing Digital Game-Based Learning (DGBL) into the classroom to see if this holds the students' attention for longer in the classroom. The article states how guidelines are presented for teachers to integrate video games into class by using a developed preliminary design of a maths lesson taught through a popular children's video game - Pokemon.
This research is being carried out on second grade class of elementary school children in Taiwan, and the object is to minimize classroom distraction and try to engage the digital natives of this generation more. Observations showed that this method of learning helped engage some students in the classroom scenarios where math is applied and also keep their attention for longer. I think this is an interesting study as it shows that the education system across the world is having to adjust their teaching methods in order to keep up with the changing demands of the digital native generation.
This article discusses how this new generation of digital native students is starting to become harder to engage in the classroom as they attention is more focused on digital-based learning instead of traditional classroom teaching. This study therefore addresses the innovative idea of bringing Digital Game-Based Learning (DGBL) into the classroom to see if this holds the students' attention for longer in the classroom. The article states how guidelines are presented for teachers to integrate video games into class by using a developed preliminary design of a maths lesson taught through a popular children's video game - Pokemon.
This research is being carried out on second grade class of elementary school children in Taiwan, and the object is to minimize classroom distraction and try to engage the digital natives of this generation more. Observations showed that this method of learning helped engage some students in the classroom scenarios where math is applied and also keep their attention for longer. I think this is an interesting study as it shows that the education system across the world is having to adjust their teaching methods in order to keep up with the changing demands of the digital native generation.
Week 8 Tasks
Digital Immigration - article 3
This article discusses the issue of education systems and how they have had to make the transition from previous generations who are so called digital immigrants to our new generation of digital natives. Society often focuses on this difference between generations and therefore challenges the educational system to adapt to these new technological conditions. Today's students are regarded as the new learners and are considered to be fundamentally different from generations before in the ways in which they use ICT, and how they learn and solve problems.
The data collected for this article is the two first out of three phases of a qualitative study from a Danish college of social education which uses blended learning. The students in the study, all of whom are women, are seen as semi digital immigrants but have the competency similar to digital natives and display equal learning styles. The study looks into the ways in which "these students cope with the virtual environment and the reasons why they are able to bridge the gap between generations." I believe this study is important as it addresses the issues surrounding the link between age and digital immigration, and also discusses how this affects education systems.
This article discusses the issue of education systems and how they have had to make the transition from previous generations who are so called digital immigrants to our new generation of digital natives. Society often focuses on this difference between generations and therefore challenges the educational system to adapt to these new technological conditions. Today's students are regarded as the new learners and are considered to be fundamentally different from generations before in the ways in which they use ICT, and how they learn and solve problems.
The data collected for this article is the two first out of three phases of a qualitative study from a Danish college of social education which uses blended learning. The students in the study, all of whom are women, are seen as semi digital immigrants but have the competency similar to digital natives and display equal learning styles. The study looks into the ways in which "these students cope with the virtual environment and the reasons why they are able to bridge the gap between generations." I believe this study is important as it addresses the issues surrounding the link between age and digital immigration, and also discusses how this affects education systems.
Week 8 Tasks
Digital Immigration - article 2
This article deals with the fairly new form of technology called podcasting, in which audio files are regularly and automatically distributed to listeners via the internet, and then listened to on a computer or mp3 player such as an IPod. This can also be used for educational purposes as the paper discusses how one university created a course where tutors could make a popcast of their lecture and post it on the university website. This enables students to repeatedly access these files and gain the lecture information whenever they choose. The tutors also put supplement material to go alongside the lecture notes so to give the students as much information as possible to counter-act the fact of no face-to-face teaching.
The data for this article is collected from the Penn State University in USA and is based upon this innovative course that was created there. The students enjoyed this form of learning as they could access the lecture files at any time they wanted and as they can take their mp3 players anywhere it meant they could listen to the files in any situation they choose - very different to a classroom situation.
This article deals with the fairly new form of technology called podcasting, in which audio files are regularly and automatically distributed to listeners via the internet, and then listened to on a computer or mp3 player such as an IPod. This can also be used for educational purposes as the paper discusses how one university created a course where tutors could make a popcast of their lecture and post it on the university website. This enables students to repeatedly access these files and gain the lecture information whenever they choose. The tutors also put supplement material to go alongside the lecture notes so to give the students as much information as possible to counter-act the fact of no face-to-face teaching.
The data for this article is collected from the Penn State University in USA and is based upon this innovative course that was created there. The students enjoyed this form of learning as they could access the lecture files at any time they wanted and as they can take their mp3 players anywhere it meant they could listen to the files in any situation they choose - very different to a classroom situation.
Week 8 Tasks
Digital Immigration - article 1
This article addresses the place of manual drawing in 21st Century schools where children are more used to creating things via a computer instead of pen and paper. The data discussed in this article is from surveys, questionnaires and structured surveys so to gain a large range of information on the topic. The people questioned vary from professional CAD users to school students to gage opinions across the board. This adds to the articles reliability as their data comes across as accurate and professional.
The article refers back to the work of Prensky and addresses the issues of digital immigrants and natives to see how this affects certain academic topics such as art and drawing. The study reported in this paper and it's concluding argument indicates that the school students questioned in the data apparently appreciate the experience of traditional drawing over the use of computer added drawing. This then goes against Prensky's idea of all young students being digital natives and therefore wanting to use new technology for their educational learning.
This article addresses the place of manual drawing in 21st Century schools where children are more used to creating things via a computer instead of pen and paper. The data discussed in this article is from surveys, questionnaires and structured surveys so to gain a large range of information on the topic. The people questioned vary from professional CAD users to school students to gage opinions across the board. This adds to the articles reliability as their data comes across as accurate and professional.
The article refers back to the work of Prensky and addresses the issues of digital immigrants and natives to see how this affects certain academic topics such as art and drawing. The study reported in this paper and it's concluding argument indicates that the school students questioned in the data apparently appreciate the experience of traditional drawing over the use of computer added drawing. This then goes against Prensky's idea of all young students being digital natives and therefore wanting to use new technology for their educational learning.
Wednesday, 9 April 2008
Week 8 Tasks
Digital Immigration - website urls
Fryer, W. (2006) ‘Beyond the digital native / immigrant dichotomy’, Moving at the Speed of Creativity. http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2006/10/21/beyond-the-digital-native-immigrant-dichotomy/
George, H. (2006) ‘Digital Immigrants’, Slide Share. http://www.slideshare.net/GeorgeH/digital-immigrants/
Jenkins, H. (2007) ‘Reconsidering Digital Immigrants’, Confessions of an Aca-Fan. http://www.henryjenkins.org/2007/12/reconsidering_digital_immigran.html
VanSlyke, T. (2003) ‘Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants:Some Thoughts from the Generation Gap’, The Technology Source Archives. http://technologysource.org/article/digital_natives_digital_immigrants/
(2008) ‘What is the Digital Natives Project?’, Digital Natives. http://www.digitalnative.org/Main_Page
Fryer, W. (2006) ‘Beyond the digital native / immigrant dichotomy’, Moving at the Speed of Creativity. http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2006/10/21/beyond-the-digital-native-immigrant-dichotomy/
George, H. (2006) ‘Digital Immigrants’, Slide Share. http://www.slideshare.net/GeorgeH/digital-immigrants/
Jenkins, H. (2007) ‘Reconsidering Digital Immigrants’, Confessions of an Aca-Fan. http://www.henryjenkins.org/2007/12/reconsidering_digital_immigran.html
VanSlyke, T. (2003) ‘Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants:Some Thoughts from the Generation Gap’, The Technology Source Archives. http://technologysource.org/article/digital_natives_digital_immigrants/
(2008) ‘What is the Digital Natives Project?’, Digital Natives. http://www.digitalnative.org/Main_Page
Week 8 Tasks
Digital Immigration - website 5
This is my favourite website that i have come across as it is so different and uses an interesting method of presenting the information. The whole site is in a form of a slide show and there are 33 slides discussing the issues surrounding digital immigration. I found that this is a very easy way to take in the information and the slides are straight to the point in a bold layout.
My favourite slides are the timeline ones as there is a clear line with dates across the top with key events off the bottom, such as when technology became available like the internet and wireless connection. It also discusses the differences between 'paper learning' and 'computer learning' which i find really interesting.
Another positive of the site is that it has a slide dedicated just to other sites that the user can access and gain more information on the topic. I learnt most from this site and i think this way of layout with the slide show makes it extremely innovative.
This is my favourite website that i have come across as it is so different and uses an interesting method of presenting the information. The whole site is in a form of a slide show and there are 33 slides discussing the issues surrounding digital immigration. I found that this is a very easy way to take in the information and the slides are straight to the point in a bold layout.
My favourite slides are the timeline ones as there is a clear line with dates across the top with key events off the bottom, such as when technology became available like the internet and wireless connection. It also discusses the differences between 'paper learning' and 'computer learning' which i find really interesting.
Another positive of the site is that it has a slide dedicated just to other sites that the user can access and gain more information on the topic. I learnt most from this site and i think this way of layout with the slide show makes it extremely innovative.
Week 8 Tasks
Digital Immigration - website 4
This website is very interesting in its design and layout, and it kept my attention a lot longer than the other sites i have looked out. This is down to its colourful graphics and bright pictures which help reinforce and explain what the author is describing. Even though this may seem too simple for an intellectual, i believe it makes reading and taking in the information a lot easier.
The sites' main argument is that digital natives and digital immigrants should be broken down into more categories. I agree with what he is saying as i believe digital immigration is far more complex than just two sections. The site creates more categories can that be used on this topic so to be able to look at the issues in more detail. This quote taken from the site explains how the author would split things. "We should look at whether people merely KNOW ABOUT technologies, are PARTICIPATING IN the use of specific technologies, or are LIVING the use of technologies." He expands on the simple digital immigration system by bringing in terms such as “digital refugees” and “digital bridges”.
I think the site's ideas are very innovative and interesting. The use of an exciting layout also adds to the positives of the page. There is also an advert/hyperlink that states the author of the site is holding a presentation which i think adds to the professional feel of the site and is useful for people who wish to meet him.
This website is very interesting in its design and layout, and it kept my attention a lot longer than the other sites i have looked out. This is down to its colourful graphics and bright pictures which help reinforce and explain what the author is describing. Even though this may seem too simple for an intellectual, i believe it makes reading and taking in the information a lot easier.
The sites' main argument is that digital natives and digital immigrants should be broken down into more categories. I agree with what he is saying as i believe digital immigration is far more complex than just two sections. The site creates more categories can that be used on this topic so to be able to look at the issues in more detail. This quote taken from the site explains how the author would split things. "We should look at whether people merely KNOW ABOUT technologies, are PARTICIPATING IN the use of specific technologies, or are LIVING the use of technologies." He expands on the simple digital immigration system by bringing in terms such as “digital refugees” and “digital bridges”.
I think the site's ideas are very innovative and interesting. The use of an exciting layout also adds to the positives of the page. There is also an advert/hyperlink that states the author of the site is holding a presentation which i think adds to the professional feel of the site and is useful for people who wish to meet him.
Week 8 Tasks
Digital Immigration - website 3
This website is one of the more interesting ones i have found as there are many aspects to the site and is much more interactive then sites i've previously seen. The site author is discussing the issues concerning the term digital natives while referring back to the work of Prensky.
The author's main argument discusses how the term "digital natives" can sometimes mask certain aspects in society while trying to define others. For example talk of digital natives may make it harder for us to pay attention to the "digital divide" in terms of who has access to different technology and the gap in terms of who has access to certain skills, cultural experiences and social identities.
I find this website interesting but i think it would be better if the author didn't refer to and quote Prensky so much. Instead of writing what he personally thinks, there are just paragraphs of Prensky's work which can become frustrating after a while. However, i think the layout of the website itself is very innovative with a picture of the author himself at the top left of the corner which adds an informal and friendly aspect to the site. There is also a link in the top right corner to another one of the author's site which is useful if people want to learn more about him, and it adds reliability to what he is saying as his numerous sites makes him look more professional.
This website is one of the more interesting ones i have found as there are many aspects to the site and is much more interactive then sites i've previously seen. The site author is discussing the issues concerning the term digital natives while referring back to the work of Prensky.
The author's main argument discusses how the term "digital natives" can sometimes mask certain aspects in society while trying to define others. For example talk of digital natives may make it harder for us to pay attention to the "digital divide" in terms of who has access to different technology and the gap in terms of who has access to certain skills, cultural experiences and social identities.
I find this website interesting but i think it would be better if the author didn't refer to and quote Prensky so much. Instead of writing what he personally thinks, there are just paragraphs of Prensky's work which can become frustrating after a while. However, i think the layout of the website itself is very innovative with a picture of the author himself at the top left of the corner which adds an informal and friendly aspect to the site. There is also a link in the top right corner to another one of the author's site which is useful if people want to learn more about him, and it adds reliability to what he is saying as his numerous sites makes him look more professional.
Week 8 Tasks
Digital Immigration - website 2
This website deals with other arguments surrounding the term 'digital natives' and how it can be sub-categorised. It states how the university of St. Gallen in Switzerland are carrying out a large research project on the dynamics of what a digital native is and what type of person counts as one.
It's main argument is that not all young people born of the new media technology generation are automatically counted as digital natives, it depends on every person's different circumstance. For example, some young people don't necessarily have access to technology and the internet, etc so therefore wouldn't have the same knowledge as other young people that deal with technology on a daily basis. People base the term digital native on age, but this website argues it should be based on their technological interaction. I agree with this argument as i think the younger generation do not just get born with technological knowledge, they have to learn it and they will only be able to become a digital native if they have the access to it.
The website itself is fairly colourful with a white background and blue & green titles to brighten the page up. There is a search bar to the left of the page which enables users to research more information on this topic which i think is useful. The language is also fairly informal and therefore easy to read.
This website deals with other arguments surrounding the term 'digital natives' and how it can be sub-categorised. It states how the university of St. Gallen in Switzerland are carrying out a large research project on the dynamics of what a digital native is and what type of person counts as one.
It's main argument is that not all young people born of the new media technology generation are automatically counted as digital natives, it depends on every person's different circumstance. For example, some young people don't necessarily have access to technology and the internet, etc so therefore wouldn't have the same knowledge as other young people that deal with technology on a daily basis. People base the term digital native on age, but this website argues it should be based on their technological interaction. I agree with this argument as i think the younger generation do not just get born with technological knowledge, they have to learn it and they will only be able to become a digital native if they have the access to it.
The website itself is fairly colourful with a white background and blue & green titles to brighten the page up. There is a search bar to the left of the page which enables users to research more information on this topic which i think is useful. The language is also fairly informal and therefore easy to read.
Friday, 4 April 2008
Week 8 Tasks
Digital Immigration - Website 1
This website refers to Prensky and describes how 'Digital Natives' are constantly surrounded by new digital media and it even affects their lifestyle and behaviour which has never affected previous generations before. They are used to receiving and handling information really fast so they therefore like to deal with fast technology such as the internet to gain information instantly. The article also discusses how Digital Natives depend on graphics more than text, so often prefer to use video games, etc rather than doing "serious work".
The website is simple in its layout, just black and white colour scheme with a bright blue title to stand out from the rest of the text. The article comes across as reliable as the topic discussed is factual and straight to the point, with numerous references at the end. The language used has an educational feel to it but it is not challenging to read and therefore easy to understand.
There is also a hyperlink at the bottom of the page called "View Related Articles" which is really useful for people researching this specific topic and want more information on it. It also makes the website seem more professional which i think adds to its reliability.
This website refers to Prensky and describes how 'Digital Natives' are constantly surrounded by new digital media and it even affects their lifestyle and behaviour which has never affected previous generations before. They are used to receiving and handling information really fast so they therefore like to deal with fast technology such as the internet to gain information instantly. The article also discusses how Digital Natives depend on graphics more than text, so often prefer to use video games, etc rather than doing "serious work".
The website is simple in its layout, just black and white colour scheme with a bright blue title to stand out from the rest of the text. The article comes across as reliable as the topic discussed is factual and straight to the point, with numerous references at the end. The language used has an educational feel to it but it is not challenging to read and therefore easy to understand.
There is also a hyperlink at the bottom of the page called "View Related Articles" which is really useful for people researching this specific topic and want more information on it. It also makes the website seem more professional which i think adds to its reliability.
Week 8 Tasks
Digital Immigration
The term 'Digital Immigration' is coined by a man called Marc Prensky. He believed that today's students have evolved from traditional educational structures and are now more dependent on digital technology as a source of learning then ever before. Prensky described that people could be split into two categories:
Digital Natives - Prensky used this name for the 'new students' of society that are extremely literate in the new digital 'language' of today. They have detailed knowledge in new media technology such as computers and the internet.
Digital Immigrants - This term is used for people who were not born into this technological age and therefore do not have the detailed knowledge to use things such as the internet, etc. This older generation of people slowly pick up the skills to use new media technology as they wouldn't be able to function in today's lifestyle very well otherwise, but the older methods of gaining information often come first and then the internet is their second choice.
http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf
The term 'Digital Immigration' is coined by a man called Marc Prensky. He believed that today's students have evolved from traditional educational structures and are now more dependent on digital technology as a source of learning then ever before. Prensky described that people could be split into two categories:
Digital Natives - Prensky used this name for the 'new students' of society that are extremely literate in the new digital 'language' of today. They have detailed knowledge in new media technology such as computers and the internet.
Digital Immigrants - This term is used for people who were not born into this technological age and therefore do not have the detailed knowledge to use things such as the internet, etc. This older generation of people slowly pick up the skills to use new media technology as they wouldn't be able to function in today's lifestyle very well otherwise, but the older methods of gaining information often come first and then the internet is their second choice.
http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf
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