- Article 1 was .... http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky-The_Emerging_Online_Life_of_the_Digital_Native-03.pdf
- Article 2 was ... http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2006/nov/12/pressandpublishing.business1
- Article 3 was .... http://technologysource.org/article/digital_natives_digital_immigrants/
- Article 4 was .... http://www.ncsu.edu/meridian/jan98/feat_6/digital.html
- Article 5 was .... http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/palfrey/2008/03/08/civic-life-online-learning-how-digital-media-can-engage-youth/
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
Week 8 Websites Revealed.....
- Website 1 was ..... http://www.wisc.edu/depd/html/TSarticles/Digital%20Natives.htm
- Website 2 was ..... http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/article683193.ece?token=null&offset=12
- Website 3 was ..... http://articles.in/?caid=Parenting.2157
- Website 4 was ..... http://www.elearnspace.org/blog/archives/003055.html
- Website 5 was ..... http://www.assortedstuff.com/?p=1541
- Website 2 was ..... http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/article683193.ece?token=null&offset=12
- Website 3 was ..... http://articles.in/?caid=Parenting.2157
- Website 4 was ..... http://www.elearnspace.org/blog/archives/003055.html
- Website 5 was ..... http://www.assortedstuff.com/?p=1541
Monday, 14 April 2008
Week 9 - experience of a fictional technophile student in 2020
Lisa wakes up at exactly 9.30am to the sound of her 'Morning' playlist on her ipod which comes on automatically as her alarm clock.
She goes in to the kitchen just to hear her toast pop out of the toaster...she'd set it on the timer. Unfortunately she is pretty hungover from student night the ight before. Incidentally, she really doesn't feel like making her way into Uni for that group meeting.
After breakfast, she goes in and turns her laptop on to watch a bit of whoever 2020's Jeremy Kyle is! While doing this she checks her emails and social networking site updates and decides for definite she isn't feeling up to going to uni. She finds her mobile and instant messages her group members saying she isn't well and can't come to the group meeting. Funniy enough, the rest of Lisa's group who were also out the previous night don't feel like meeting up either. Over texts and IM's they decide to conduct their meeting over webcam. They all sign in, speak in to their microphones, send files, etc via a file sharer. An hour later, satisfied with the presentation they put together over the internet, the girls sign off.
Lisa sets her ipod to wake her up again at 2pm and heads back to bed.
She goes in to the kitchen just to hear her toast pop out of the toaster...she'd set it on the timer. Unfortunately she is pretty hungover from student night the ight before. Incidentally, she really doesn't feel like making her way into Uni for that group meeting.
After breakfast, she goes in and turns her laptop on to watch a bit of whoever 2020's Jeremy Kyle is! While doing this she checks her emails and social networking site updates and decides for definite she isn't feeling up to going to uni. She finds her mobile and instant messages her group members saying she isn't well and can't come to the group meeting. Funniy enough, the rest of Lisa's group who were also out the previous night don't feel like meeting up either. Over texts and IM's they decide to conduct their meeting over webcam. They all sign in, speak in to their microphones, send files, etc via a file sharer. An hour later, satisfied with the presentation they put together over the internet, the girls sign off.
Lisa sets her ipod to wake her up again at 2pm and heads back to bed.
Week 9 - daily frustrations of a fictional neo-luddite at uni
Clare awakens to the light bursting through the window and the soft vibrations through the walls and floor of her fellow flatmates bursting the latest Justin Timberlake tunes through ther i-pods. She picks up her watch from her bedside table and is suddenly thankful for her flatmates loud music as she has to be in the library in 20 minutes for a group meeting. As she gets dressed she scribbles 'batteries' on a fresh page of a notebook to replace the obviously dead ones in her old alarm clock.
As she walks through the student village she is surrounded by students, nearly all with white headphones coming out of their ears, a mobile phone pressed against their ears, or the odd few typing furiously on their mobiles.
As she enters the library she is held up by a girl in front who is passing through the turnstyle very slowly as she is so busy concentrating on typing her text message. When Clare finally joins her group they all agree to show eachother the work they have completed individually so far. The other 3 girls all pull USB sticks out of their bag and connect to the computers, Clare produces a notebook. The girls ask where she has saved her work. Clare nervously opens up her notebook and displays the neat notes and diagrams she had spent hours the previous night working on. The girls snigger and all gather round one computer to start compiling the information.
Clare cannot concentrate and is put off by everyone around her speaking on the phone, texting, listening to their ipods loudly, watching funny Youtube clips or laughing about pictures/comments on Facebook.
As the girls quickly complete a diagram on the computer, exactly the same as the one in Clare's notebook but much more professional looking, Clare wonders how she will ever fit in with all these technology obsessed students.
As she walks through the student village she is surrounded by students, nearly all with white headphones coming out of their ears, a mobile phone pressed against their ears, or the odd few typing furiously on their mobiles.
As she enters the library she is held up by a girl in front who is passing through the turnstyle very slowly as she is so busy concentrating on typing her text message. When Clare finally joins her group they all agree to show eachother the work they have completed individually so far. The other 3 girls all pull USB sticks out of their bag and connect to the computers, Clare produces a notebook. The girls ask where she has saved her work. Clare nervously opens up her notebook and displays the neat notes and diagrams she had spent hours the previous night working on. The girls snigger and all gather round one computer to start compiling the information.
Clare cannot concentrate and is put off by everyone around her speaking on the phone, texting, listening to their ipods loudly, watching funny Youtube clips or laughing about pictures/comments on Facebook.
As the girls quickly complete a diagram on the computer, exactly the same as the one in Clare's notebook but much more professional looking, Clare wonders how she will ever fit in with all these technology obsessed students.
Week 9 - Blog - Digital Immigrant/Native Threat
I think my dad would be the biggest threat to Prensky's idea of digital immigrants and natives.
Because although there are things I find easier to do than him interactively, he will always go for digital formats if he can. Even when we travel, we've been checking in online and printing our own boarding passes for, well, probably as soon as it became an available option!
He even prefers internet banking. I have never known him to write a hand written letter in my life, always straight for the email.
However, he does still buy a newspaper and watch the news at night, even though he gets news feed subscriptions from online news websites. And recently, he's taken to more interactive news such as Sky News on Sky Plus, where he can check all the updates on the red button.
I think it is probably more these suppposedly digital immigrants who threaten the notion rather than digital natives. It's much easier to think of adults who can work technology really well rather than to think of young people who cant.
Because although there are things I find easier to do than him interactively, he will always go for digital formats if he can. Even when we travel, we've been checking in online and printing our own boarding passes for, well, probably as soon as it became an available option!
He even prefers internet banking. I have never known him to write a hand written letter in my life, always straight for the email.
However, he does still buy a newspaper and watch the news at night, even though he gets news feed subscriptions from online news websites. And recently, he's taken to more interactive news such as Sky News on Sky Plus, where he can check all the updates on the red button.
I think it is probably more these suppposedly digital immigrants who threaten the notion rather than digital natives. It's much easier to think of adults who can work technology really well rather than to think of young people who cant.
Week 9 - Blog - Youngest Digital Immigrant
My mum is probably the youngest digital immigrant I know. In my house my dad, my brother and myself have always been very interested in technology and all the latest gadgets and updates. My sister and my mum aren't as interested as us, but because my sister has grown up pretty much with technological advances she finds it easy to do the basic things, she is slightly challenged by more complicated things, but it doesn't matter because she has no desire/need to do anything more than text, upload photos, check email, participate in social networking.
My mum has had a phone for as long as I can remember because my dad did so he got her one too. But until it started becoming normal for younger people to have mobiles, the older generation never texted. My mum took ages to understand how to type on a mobile and the small screen, but now she embarks on text language and has got much quicker.
Recently, she has even signed up for an email account.
Generally Prensky's idea of digital immigrants includes those who have not grown up surrounded by all the different digital forms of technology, generally those over 27/28 are considered to be digital immigrants...technology won't come naturally to them and they'll have to learn it (maybe with an accent for a while), just as they would a foreign language.
My mum has had a phone for as long as I can remember because my dad did so he got her one too. But until it started becoming normal for younger people to have mobiles, the older generation never texted. My mum took ages to understand how to type on a mobile and the small screen, but now she embarks on text language and has got much quicker.
Recently, she has even signed up for an email account.
Generally Prensky's idea of digital immigrants includes those who have not grown up surrounded by all the different digital forms of technology, generally those over 27/28 are considered to be digital immigrants...technology won't come naturally to them and they'll have to learn it (maybe with an accent for a while), just as they would a foreign language.
Sunday, 13 April 2008
Week 9 - Blog - Oldest Digital Native
The oldest digital immigrant I know is my dad.
He was the first person a lot of our friends remember as having he internet. This would have been in the 1990's when it basically was just words on a screen, no pictures, hyperlinks as we now know the internet.
As a child I always remember having a computer in the house and playing really old computer games with pretty rubbish graphics compared to what we have now. My favourite was Donald Ducks Alphabet Chase - http://www.mobygames.com/game/donalds-alphabet-chase
My dad works with machines and computers quite a bit as his work involved a lot of printing and graphics and editting.
He has also had a mobile phone when I was very small, I remember because it was practically the size of me!! But even now, he's always getting the latest phones. He's had about 4 ipods - 2 classics, 1 nano and itouch.
He is constantly connected to his mobile and his emails. Even though he is so into all this and can work it he doesn't understand how to work it to it's full potential.
For example, all the different settings on phones - I have to help him with.
Or knowing that he could get email updates on his phone - my brother informed him of this.
I had to tell him he could make playlists on his ipods. Things like this show that although different generations use digital media in different ways and for different things, age does not generally define Prensky's notion of digital immigrants or digital natives.
It is also true that we can learn from eachother as different generations will look at things in different ways. For example, my dad can do all the simple things and sometimes has to help me, but I go straight for the complicaed things just because I know they exist and there is a way of doing them and I can challenge myself to figure out. But when my dad tries to do these he gets completely baffled, even after I've explained, it takes him a while to understand it.
He was the first person a lot of our friends remember as having he internet. This would have been in the 1990's when it basically was just words on a screen, no pictures, hyperlinks as we now know the internet.
As a child I always remember having a computer in the house and playing really old computer games with pretty rubbish graphics compared to what we have now. My favourite was Donald Ducks Alphabet Chase - http://www.mobygames.com/game/donalds-alphabet-chase
My dad works with machines and computers quite a bit as his work involved a lot of printing and graphics and editting.
He has also had a mobile phone when I was very small, I remember because it was practically the size of me!! But even now, he's always getting the latest phones. He's had about 4 ipods - 2 classics, 1 nano and itouch.
He is constantly connected to his mobile and his emails. Even though he is so into all this and can work it he doesn't understand how to work it to it's full potential.
For example, all the different settings on phones - I have to help him with.
Or knowing that he could get email updates on his phone - my brother informed him of this.
I had to tell him he could make playlists on his ipods. Things like this show that although different generations use digital media in different ways and for different things, age does not generally define Prensky's notion of digital immigrants or digital natives.
It is also true that we can learn from eachother as different generations will look at things in different ways. For example, my dad can do all the simple things and sometimes has to help me, but I go straight for the complicaed things just because I know they exist and there is a way of doing them and I can challenge myself to figure out. But when my dad tries to do these he gets completely baffled, even after I've explained, it takes him a while to understand it.
Week 9 - Semantic Web & Web 3.0
- an 'upgrade' of Web 2.0 (uses it as a platform)
- high quality content
- Semantic web is a part of Web 3.0
- more user generated content
- more 'intelligent' than Web 2.0
- the result of self published data on internet will be better
- more focused on data
- making the internet smarter
- more focused on social web, ie. social networks and applications
- will allow machines to read web pages almost as well as humans can in terms of what the user is looking for
- search engines will be more efficient as a result
I think from reading up on both, Web 3.0 is basically an extension, upgrade, improvement of Web 2.0, but the Semantic web is weaved into and part of Web 3.0.
- high quality content
- Semantic web is a part of Web 3.0
- more user generated content
- more 'intelligent' than Web 2.0
- the result of self published data on internet will be better
- more focused on data
- making the internet smarter
- more focused on social web, ie. social networks and applications
- will allow machines to read web pages almost as well as humans can in terms of what the user is looking for
- search engines will be more efficient as a result
I think from reading up on both, Web 3.0 is basically an extension, upgrade, improvement of Web 2.0, but the Semantic web is weaved into and part of Web 3.0.
Saturday, 12 April 2008
Week 9 - Semantic Web
The semantic web links databases globally and represents data on the World Wide Web. Both concepts were thought up by the same person (Tim Berners-Lee) and are therefore very compatible and work well with eachother.
The semantic puts all this information into the same format so it is easy to access.
"The Semantic Web is a Web that includes documents, or portions of documents, describing explicit relationships between things and containing semantic information intended for automated processing by our machines." (http://swag.webns.net/whatIsSW)
I'm still not entirely sure I understand this concept, but I'm getting the idea it has something to with processing information and bringing it up in front of us logically, perhaps with hyperlinks, etc which are similar to the topic we asked/clicked to read about.
The semantic puts all this information into the same format so it is easy to access.
"The Semantic Web is a Web that includes documents, or portions of documents, describing explicit relationships between things and containing semantic information intended for automated processing by our machines." (http://swag.webns.net/whatIsSW)
I'm still not entirely sure I understand this concept, but I'm getting the idea it has something to with processing information and bringing it up in front of us logically, perhaps with hyperlinks, etc which are similar to the topic we asked/clicked to read about.
Friday, 11 April 2008
Week 9 - Tailored education
I think that if education became tailored to fit individual's needs, it would be a problem. I think the exam system, etc would become less of a fair test on the overall education spectrum.
I think this would result in certain children being left out as there are not enough teachers to make it physically possible to pay enough attention to individual children to create a personal learning syllabus.
Certain children, such as those with learning disabilities do however need (and deserve) extra help and support from children. I believe this is sufficient in schools as there are special units, and measures in examinations to make sure their difficulties are taken into account.
In terms of culture, I think education is tailored to specific cultures. For example, when we were looking at the distance learning programmes in places like Australia. For their culture, the very sparse areas, this is specific. Or in villages one might find that classes, etc are much smaller, this isn't intentional but just because of the population. And schools like this probably wouldn't cope with hundreds upon hundreds of students. But likewise, could students coming from somewhere with a massive student body with little parent/student interaction be able to cope with a transfer to a smaller school where there is more attention on them from the teacher and more chance of their work being scrutinised.
Prensky suggests that education need to be changed to appeal more to the young digital minds. I would agree with this but I wouldn't say there is a necessity (anytime soon at least) for all education to become interactive and digital. I would however, think it could be incorporated slightly more into education, as I believe they are now staring to do.
I think this would result in certain children being left out as there are not enough teachers to make it physically possible to pay enough attention to individual children to create a personal learning syllabus.
Certain children, such as those with learning disabilities do however need (and deserve) extra help and support from children. I believe this is sufficient in schools as there are special units, and measures in examinations to make sure their difficulties are taken into account.
In terms of culture, I think education is tailored to specific cultures. For example, when we were looking at the distance learning programmes in places like Australia. For their culture, the very sparse areas, this is specific. Or in villages one might find that classes, etc are much smaller, this isn't intentional but just because of the population. And schools like this probably wouldn't cope with hundreds upon hundreds of students. But likewise, could students coming from somewhere with a massive student body with little parent/student interaction be able to cope with a transfer to a smaller school where there is more attention on them from the teacher and more chance of their work being scrutinised.
Prensky suggests that education need to be changed to appeal more to the young digital minds. I would agree with this but I wouldn't say there is a necessity (anytime soon at least) for all education to become interactive and digital. I would however, think it could be incorporated slightly more into education, as I believe they are now staring to do.
Week 9 - Should education 'stretch' a person?
I think 'stretching' a person refers to making them do things to the best of their ability, perhaps things they previously thought they couldn't do.
In terms of education, this should mean interesting students in a wide variety of things and letting them try doing things they wouldn't have thought possible. I think this is important as in the future, if they've been brought up this way, it will be easier for them to adapt to different cultural changes as well as academic advances.
I think this could be applied to digital immigrants. For them to understand new, digital media they will need to be 'stretched' away from the safety of all their old forms. This will involve changing habits and learning completely new ways of communication and going about things.
With regards to digital natives,it could be said that their forms of education could be being 'stretched' when they learn interactively via computer programmes or internet based learning.
Or even the fact that although they're used to being on the internet/computer, they may not be used to using it to aid their education. So by using it in schools to learn will 'stretch' their existing ability to use such media and use it effieciently to benefit their education.
In terms of education, this should mean interesting students in a wide variety of things and letting them try doing things they wouldn't have thought possible. I think this is important as in the future, if they've been brought up this way, it will be easier for them to adapt to different cultural changes as well as academic advances.
I think this could be applied to digital immigrants. For them to understand new, digital media they will need to be 'stretched' away from the safety of all their old forms. This will involve changing habits and learning completely new ways of communication and going about things.
With regards to digital natives,it could be said that their forms of education could be being 'stretched' when they learn interactively via computer programmes or internet based learning.
Or even the fact that although they're used to being on the internet/computer, they may not be used to using it to aid their education. So by using it in schools to learn will 'stretch' their existing ability to use such media and use it effieciently to benefit their education.
Week 9 - Wenger v Prensky
Wenger's theory of Communities of Practice and Prensky's of Digital immigrants and natives could be seen as similar.
Within communities of practice there is the notion that we will learn from eachother, and even though some people may be more skilled/experienced than others it is within everyone's greater interest for everyone to learn and improve.
Within Prensky's idea there is also a separation between those who are more knowledgable and those who are less so.
It would be unfair to say who was better out of digital immigrants and digital natives, so who was more powerful, but we do know digital natives have more knowledge of digital media than digital immigrants.
Communities of Practice are usually brought together from a shared interest. This is not so true with digital immigrants and natives as natives will be interested in digital media whereas immigrants are not so much and that is what divides them. But their lack of interest could be due to them not wanting the effort of having to learn.
Within communities of practice there is the notion that we will learn from eachother, and even though some people may be more skilled/experienced than others it is within everyone's greater interest for everyone to learn and improve.
Within Prensky's idea there is also a separation between those who are more knowledgable and those who are less so.
It would be unfair to say who was better out of digital immigrants and digital natives, so who was more powerful, but we do know digital natives have more knowledge of digital media than digital immigrants.
Communities of Practice are usually brought together from a shared interest. This is not so true with digital immigrants and natives as natives will be interested in digital media whereas immigrants are not so much and that is what divides them. But their lack of interest could be due to them not wanting the effort of having to learn.
Week 8 - Article 5 Abstract and Disagreement
Abstract
This article suggests how digital media could perhaps get young people involved in politics and voting, instead of just turning away from it as a lot of young people do.
They recognise that if young people are interested in politics, it will most likely be in social contexts, online or on comedy programmes/parodies on television.
The article recognises that for teenagers/young people to engage in politics there must be a form of trust and this should in some way be demonstrated via the internet as it is the most common form of research for their target audience.
I wouldn't say this article is particularly usueful. It is formed mostly of quotes from other people rather than the author's own opinion.
Disagreement
I think one of the main problems with youth's disinterest in politics in the fact that we don't understand it. If there were special, easy to use sites with lots of hyperlinks where young people can interact and find out all the simple facts about political parties, etc. If there were applications maybe on Facebook, etc, or online campaigns, young people may be more intrigued, willing to spend time finding out about and embarking on political actions such as voting, attending rallies, etc.
This article suggests how digital media could perhaps get young people involved in politics and voting, instead of just turning away from it as a lot of young people do.
They recognise that if young people are interested in politics, it will most likely be in social contexts, online or on comedy programmes/parodies on television.
The article recognises that for teenagers/young people to engage in politics there must be a form of trust and this should in some way be demonstrated via the internet as it is the most common form of research for their target audience.
I wouldn't say this article is particularly usueful. It is formed mostly of quotes from other people rather than the author's own opinion.
Disagreement
I think one of the main problems with youth's disinterest in politics in the fact that we don't understand it. If there were special, easy to use sites with lots of hyperlinks where young people can interact and find out all the simple facts about political parties, etc. If there were applications maybe on Facebook, etc, or online campaigns, young people may be more intrigued, willing to spend time finding out about and embarking on political actions such as voting, attending rallies, etc.
Week 8 - Article 4 Abstract and Disagreement
Abstract
This article also recognises that there has been a change in the way young people gather, accept and retain information. It also states that digital natives are more focused and find it easier to adapt to new cirumstances than digital immigrants.
However,there is also the argument that new media can aid education and act as a genuine learning aid.
It suggests that online studies appearsmore fun and enhances interaction with one another more than in a classroom.
The article stated that digital natives are more likely to embark on several activities at once and have a number of web windows open at once. It also suggests we are impatient and will abandon a page if it takes too long to load up.
Disagreement
I disagree with the comment that online larning encourages interaction as with this unit I have definitely not found that. I find it much easier to communicate and interact with my peers when we are all in the room together and can speak out and raise questions.
As I've said in previous posts, I do agree with the multi tasking bit. This would not be possible with more traditional methods, for example, I couldn't read 3 or 4 books at the one time.
This article also recognises that there has been a change in the way young people gather, accept and retain information. It also states that digital natives are more focused and find it easier to adapt to new cirumstances than digital immigrants.
However,there is also the argument that new media can aid education and act as a genuine learning aid.
It suggests that online studies appearsmore fun and enhances interaction with one another more than in a classroom.
The article stated that digital natives are more likely to embark on several activities at once and have a number of web windows open at once. It also suggests we are impatient and will abandon a page if it takes too long to load up.
Disagreement
I disagree with the comment that online larning encourages interaction as with this unit I have definitely not found that. I find it much easier to communicate and interact with my peers when we are all in the room together and can speak out and raise questions.
As I've said in previous posts, I do agree with the multi tasking bit. This would not be possible with more traditional methods, for example, I couldn't read 3 or 4 books at the one time.
Week 8 - Article 3 Abstract and Disagreement
Abstract
This article also suggests that a digital natives very brain even works in a differen way to that of older generations. It states their way of being interested in and receiving information is very fast and very haphazard.
It also speaks of the difference in ease of a young person picking up/learning a new skill and an older person's ability to do so.
The article raises the question that if teachers are digital immigrants and are not as technologically advanced as digital natives, are today's students being taught in the best way for them to learn to the best of their ability? Then however, it has to be taken into account whether all young people are ready to abandon traditional methods and learn digitally.
Disagreement
I agree with what this article says about even though young people can learnt things over the internet or by digital sources, there is still no computer programme that mimics the actions of a teacher and therefore at the minute would not be possible for this type of medium to completely replace a teacher in a classroom.
It is also suggested, that we don't learn from a teacher OR a computer but from the activities/experiences that come with it. I think this is a fair thing to say.
This article also suggests that a digital natives very brain even works in a differen way to that of older generations. It states their way of being interested in and receiving information is very fast and very haphazard.
It also speaks of the difference in ease of a young person picking up/learning a new skill and an older person's ability to do so.
The article raises the question that if teachers are digital immigrants and are not as technologically advanced as digital natives, are today's students being taught in the best way for them to learn to the best of their ability? Then however, it has to be taken into account whether all young people are ready to abandon traditional methods and learn digitally.
Disagreement
I agree with what this article says about even though young people can learnt things over the internet or by digital sources, there is still no computer programme that mimics the actions of a teacher and therefore at the minute would not be possible for this type of medium to completely replace a teacher in a classroom.
It is also suggested, that we don't learn from a teacher OR a computer but from the activities/experiences that come with it. I think this is a fair thing to say.
Week 8 - Article 2 Abstract and Disagreement
Abstract
This article is very matter of fact, talks about an example of all the sorts of new medias which were evolving at at what stages in young people's lives.
The article has a very definite overtone that these young people cannot help but be drawn in to this digital world. The differences between the generations are highlighted.
The author of the article partly blames the constant slagging off of today's youth in the media for their turning to newer forms of media, instead of traditional ways, such as reading newspapers.
The article also focues on how young people are creating their own culture, for example, not only are they looking at things/watching on the internet, they are also uploading their own video footage, music, blogs, pictures, etc to share with others and contribute to the new digital world
Disagreement
The example/case study given, is a very similar age to myself and therefore all the technology was appearing at the same time. This was useful to see when everything started becoming popular and what age I would have been, etc.
I agree with the opinion about the lack of young people reading newspapers. I personally have never bought a newspaper myself in my life. But having said that if someone else has one, or if there's one sitting about I'll have a read of it.
Us digital natives are more interested in looking at eachothers pictures, blogs and Facebook's, etc, rather than newspapers which feature things we are not a part of and therefore not particularly interested in.
This article is very matter of fact, talks about an example of all the sorts of new medias which were evolving at at what stages in young people's lives.
The article has a very definite overtone that these young people cannot help but be drawn in to this digital world. The differences between the generations are highlighted.
The author of the article partly blames the constant slagging off of today's youth in the media for their turning to newer forms of media, instead of traditional ways, such as reading newspapers.
The article also focues on how young people are creating their own culture, for example, not only are they looking at things/watching on the internet, they are also uploading their own video footage, music, blogs, pictures, etc to share with others and contribute to the new digital world
Disagreement
The example/case study given, is a very similar age to myself and therefore all the technology was appearing at the same time. This was useful to see when everything started becoming popular and what age I would have been, etc.
I agree with the opinion about the lack of young people reading newspapers. I personally have never bought a newspaper myself in my life. But having said that if someone else has one, or if there's one sitting about I'll have a read of it.
Us digital natives are more interested in looking at eachothers pictures, blogs and Facebook's, etc, rather than newspapers which feature things we are not a part of and therefore not particularly interested in.
Week 8 - Article 1 Abstract and Disagreement
Abstract
This article suggests that young people today are not only changing the way they learn via new medias, but changing their whole way of life and way of communication through it.
Digital natives look at communication differently to how their elders would. For example, for a long message they would instantly think email whereas adults may think letter, as in pen and paper.
In cases where both natives and immigrants would use telephones, natives might go straight for the text message option on their mobiles, whereas immigrants may go for the landline and call another landline.
It takes into account the fact that all this digital communication has altered youth's ability to spell and communicate in full sentences, due to 'text language' and abbreviations, which speed up the process.
The article compares hobbies of the past (such as stamp collecting) to modern hobbies embarked on by today's youth such as downloading songs and films.
It recognises the multiple possibilites of multi tasking online, for example downloading numerous things at one time, having several website windows open and carrying on several instant message conversations at the same time.
It notes that even the term 'online' has become 'old' as we now have wireless.
Disagreement
I think this article is up to date in terms of all the technologies spoken of. As a digital native I can relate to pretty much everything said and agree with it. For example, the multi tasking bit, I know I personally always do that, I always have abotu 3 internet windows open with 2 or 3 tabs in each, plus maybe a media player, some music files, and usually at least 3 MSN Messenger conversation windows.
As for the pen and paper remark, I don't know when the last time I wrote a letter was, except for writing thank you letters at birthdays or Christmas to older relatives.
I thought the 'online' remark was interesting, as now there is no 'line' (cable, phone line) needed to be connected to our computers due to wireless boxes.
This article suggests that young people today are not only changing the way they learn via new medias, but changing their whole way of life and way of communication through it.
Digital natives look at communication differently to how their elders would. For example, for a long message they would instantly think email whereas adults may think letter, as in pen and paper.
In cases where both natives and immigrants would use telephones, natives might go straight for the text message option on their mobiles, whereas immigrants may go for the landline and call another landline.
It takes into account the fact that all this digital communication has altered youth's ability to spell and communicate in full sentences, due to 'text language' and abbreviations, which speed up the process.
The article compares hobbies of the past (such as stamp collecting) to modern hobbies embarked on by today's youth such as downloading songs and films.
It recognises the multiple possibilites of multi tasking online, for example downloading numerous things at one time, having several website windows open and carrying on several instant message conversations at the same time.
It notes that even the term 'online' has become 'old' as we now have wireless.
Disagreement
I think this article is up to date in terms of all the technologies spoken of. As a digital native I can relate to pretty much everything said and agree with it. For example, the multi tasking bit, I know I personally always do that, I always have abotu 3 internet windows open with 2 or 3 tabs in each, plus maybe a media player, some music files, and usually at least 3 MSN Messenger conversation windows.
As for the pen and paper remark, I don't know when the last time I wrote a letter was, except for writing thank you letters at birthdays or Christmas to older relatives.
I thought the 'online' remark was interesting, as now there is no 'line' (cable, phone line) needed to be connected to our computers due to wireless boxes.
Week 8 - Chosen Articles
1. Naughton, J. (2006) Young People Don't Like Us. Who Can Blame Them? http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2006/nov/12/pressandpublishing.business1 [Accessed 11/4/08]
2. Tapscott, D. (n.d.) Growing up digital: the rise of the net generation. http://www.ncsu.edu/meridian/jan98/feat_6/digital.html [Accessed 11/4/08]
3. Palfrey, J. (2008) Civic Life Online: Learning How Digital Media Can Engage Youth. http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/palfrey/2008/03/08/civic-life-online-learning-how-digital-media-can-engage-youth/ [Accessed 11/4/08]
4. Prensky, M (2004) The emerging online life of the digital native http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky-The_Emerging_Online_Life_of_the_Digital_Native-03.pdf [Accessed 11/4/08]
5. 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/ [Accessed 11/4/08]
2. Tapscott, D. (n.d.) Growing up digital: the rise of the net generation. http://www.ncsu.edu/meridian/jan98/feat_6/digital.html [Accessed 11/4/08]
3. Palfrey, J. (2008) Civic Life Online: Learning How Digital Media Can Engage Youth. http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/palfrey/2008/03/08/civic-life-online-learning-how-digital-media-can-engage-youth/ [Accessed 11/4/08]
4. Prensky, M (2004) The emerging online life of the digital native http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky-The_Emerging_Online_Life_of_the_Digital_Native-03.pdf [Accessed 11/4/08]
5. 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/ [Accessed 11/4/08]
Week 8 - Website 5
This website suggests that the divide between digital immigrants and natives may be due to ignorance of the immigrants who aren't willing to try to develop digital media skills/knowledge. It says that elder generations see the gap as an excuse to not adapt to technological advances. I think this is the attitudes of a lot of older people, who see kids texting really fast or obtaining music off the internet in a few minutes, they then think 'oh I can't do that', they realise it will take them time to reach this level/ability and can't be bothered with the learning process because it is not something they can do automatically.
A lot of this could also be due to pride, for example, adults who don't like asking their juniors for help or advice, and generally, in the case of digital media it is their juniors who have the knowledge and ability to help the adults understand this new culture.
This article raises a couple of useful, insightful points of view, but I wouldn't say it is overly academic or that it provides us with any solid arguments to take into account.
A lot of this could also be due to pride, for example, adults who don't like asking their juniors for help or advice, and generally, in the case of digital media it is their juniors who have the knowledge and ability to help the adults understand this new culture.
This article raises a couple of useful, insightful points of view, but I wouldn't say it is overly academic or that it provides us with any solid arguments to take into account.
Week 8 - Website 4
This article suggests that it is not age which separates digital natives and digital immigrants, but interest in the digital media, for example different generations will use all the different forms of digital media in different ways. I believe this could be true, as obviously younger people are more interested in social networking and downloading music, etc, but I think this interest is probably due to age.
It goes on to suggest that these people described/assumed as digital immigrants can indeed become digital natives with practice and willingness to try to interact with the digital world as easily as possible. I think this can also be true, for example, digital immigrants who perhaps work in an IT job would have to be knowledgable about some forms of digital media than the students who should technically be digital natives.
But also, there is the argument that some of the younger generation (who are generally classified as digital natives) may not be interest in technology or digital media. Some may prefer to stick to traditional forms, bith in education and free time. Although social networking sites such as Myspace or Facebook re highly popular, there is still a percentage of young people who would still prefer to interect in person or over the phone. This links back to some of my first posts on this blog about old media v new media. How digital immigrants may prefer to write letters, whereas digital natives may communication via text messages or wall comments on Facebook, etc.
It goes on to suggest that these people described/assumed as digital immigrants can indeed become digital natives with practice and willingness to try to interact with the digital world as easily as possible. I think this can also be true, for example, digital immigrants who perhaps work in an IT job would have to be knowledgable about some forms of digital media than the students who should technically be digital natives.
But also, there is the argument that some of the younger generation (who are generally classified as digital natives) may not be interest in technology or digital media. Some may prefer to stick to traditional forms, bith in education and free time. Although social networking sites such as Myspace or Facebook re highly popular, there is still a percentage of young people who would still prefer to interect in person or over the phone. This links back to some of my first posts on this blog about old media v new media. How digital immigrants may prefer to write letters, whereas digital natives may communication via text messages or wall comments on Facebook, etc.
Thursday, 10 April 2008
Week 8 - Website 3
This article focuses on how digital media affects learning and education.
It goes into detail explaining the metaphor that is digital natives and immigrants which (as I'm sure everyone reading this blog is aware) refers to one's ability to adapt to/learn about/use/understand digital media. This includes video games, text messages, internet - IM, e-mail, etc, etc.
It states that youth's learning style is very different to that of previous generations. It is suggested that digital natives like to learn in a more random style with lots of things being thrown at them at once, rather than the liner, structured format of their parents and elders.
I believe this is true, as a digital native, I know I need lots of things to keep me alert and interested in a topic, which backs up the suggestion that digital natives are visually stimulated.
The article is very pro getting digital immigrants involved in digital media and learning from their children rather than trying to force/expect their children to learn in the same way they did. I think this is very true. Immigrants are obviousy going to find it difficult just as we would learning a new language) but I think it's very important they try as all the 'old' media is starting to die out and become less and less, then they'll be forced to just cope with it. Rather than now where they are being given the choice to gradually move with it and progress with it.
This article seems pretty up to date with recent examples. The language is easy to read and process, with short paragraphs just giving information we need to know.... perhaps it is aimed at digital natives?
It goes into detail explaining the metaphor that is digital natives and immigrants which (as I'm sure everyone reading this blog is aware) refers to one's ability to adapt to/learn about/use/understand digital media. This includes video games, text messages, internet - IM, e-mail, etc, etc.
It states that youth's learning style is very different to that of previous generations. It is suggested that digital natives like to learn in a more random style with lots of things being thrown at them at once, rather than the liner, structured format of their parents and elders.
I believe this is true, as a digital native, I know I need lots of things to keep me alert and interested in a topic, which backs up the suggestion that digital natives are visually stimulated.
The article is very pro getting digital immigrants involved in digital media and learning from their children rather than trying to force/expect their children to learn in the same way they did. I think this is very true. Immigrants are obviousy going to find it difficult just as we would learning a new language) but I think it's very important they try as all the 'old' media is starting to die out and become less and less, then they'll be forced to just cope with it. Rather than now where they are being given the choice to gradually move with it and progress with it.
This article seems pretty up to date with recent examples. The language is easy to read and process, with short paragraphs just giving information we need to know.... perhaps it is aimed at digital natives?
Wednesday, 9 April 2008
Week 8 - Website 2
This article highlights the differences between the younger generation and their senior's ability to communicate via digital media.
This article uses case studies and relevant examples of a digital native and a digital immigrant with 1st hand quotes. As a digital native I can completely agree with the digital native and would say it is very similar to my attitude.
It doesn't just compare a digital native and a digital immigrant, but society in general - now compared with habits of youth many years ago.
This article suggests that with all the information available to us via digital media, digital natives are much more prepared and equipped for multi tasking, if this however means the information will not be retained for as long as if they had just concentrated on one message at a time via one medium. I believe this to be true, I know I can text, be watching tv, be on msn, downloading music/tv programmes, etc all pretty much at the same time and be concentrating fairly evenly on all of them. But although I'm aware of what's on the television/internet screen at the time, later on I wouldn't be able to recall it in as much detail as had I been just watching tv, or just surfing the net.
The article is from a credible source and features lots of well known theories and quotes from academics.
This article uses case studies and relevant examples of a digital native and a digital immigrant with 1st hand quotes. As a digital native I can completely agree with the digital native and would say it is very similar to my attitude.
It doesn't just compare a digital native and a digital immigrant, but society in general - now compared with habits of youth many years ago.
This article suggests that with all the information available to us via digital media, digital natives are much more prepared and equipped for multi tasking, if this however means the information will not be retained for as long as if they had just concentrated on one message at a time via one medium. I believe this to be true, I know I can text, be watching tv, be on msn, downloading music/tv programmes, etc all pretty much at the same time and be concentrating fairly evenly on all of them. But although I'm aware of what's on the television/internet screen at the time, later on I wouldn't be able to recall it in as much detail as had I been just watching tv, or just surfing the net.
The article is from a credible source and features lots of well known theories and quotes from academics.
Week 8 - Website 1
This 1st website speaks of how digital natives find it much easier to adapt to digital media as it is within their very brains than digital immigrants, who are usually older.
It speaks of the differents in habits between the two groups, for example, digital natives will do things digitally because they understand it to be the easiest, quickest way to do things, but digital immigrants will choose more traditional formats even though the more advanced technology is available.
However, there is an argument that even though this younger generation of digital natives may be more adept to digital technology, it is still valid that they also should learn by traditional methods as this can enhance their knowledge and allow them to us digital technology to the highest efficiency. But teachers, etc should also acknowledge that these natives will learn primarily from digital sources and therefore the educators should also be trained to use the digital media.
This article is useful as it provides lots of different arguments which are backed up with relevant examples and theory alike. It is easy to read, but the language is academic enough to encourage the reader to think about new points of view. It is relatively up to date, but with the everchanging digital media, in terms of technological advances it could probably be considered slightly out of date. The writer even acknowledges the rapid pace of change with regards to digital media.
It speaks of the differents in habits between the two groups, for example, digital natives will do things digitally because they understand it to be the easiest, quickest way to do things, but digital immigrants will choose more traditional formats even though the more advanced technology is available.
However, there is an argument that even though this younger generation of digital natives may be more adept to digital technology, it is still valid that they also should learn by traditional methods as this can enhance their knowledge and allow them to us digital technology to the highest efficiency. But teachers, etc should also acknowledge that these natives will learn primarily from digital sources and therefore the educators should also be trained to use the digital media.
This article is useful as it provides lots of different arguments which are backed up with relevant examples and theory alike. It is easy to read, but the language is academic enough to encourage the reader to think about new points of view. It is relatively up to date, but with the everchanging digital media, in terms of technological advances it could probably be considered slightly out of date. The writer even acknowledges the rapid pace of change with regards to digital media.
Friday, 4 April 2008
Week 8 - URL's
I'm going to list the websites I am using for this task below. Then I will post individually about them but in a different order to how it's listed here. So on the individual posts if you think you know which 1 it is have a guess before looking at the post with all the answers!!
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/article683193.ece
http://www.assortedstuff.com/?p=1541
http://www.wisc.edu/depd/html/TSarticles/Digital%20Natives.htm
http://articles.in/?caid=Parenting.2157
http://www.elearnspace.org/blog/archives/003055.html
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/article683193.ece
http://www.assortedstuff.com/?p=1541
http://www.wisc.edu/depd/html/TSarticles/Digital%20Natives.htm
http://articles.in/?caid=Parenting.2157
http://www.elearnspace.org/blog/archives/003055.html
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