Digital Natives vs. Digital Immigrants

This blog is an extremely interesting one for me.  It deals with the differences between digital natives and digital immigrants. Digital natives are those that have grown up with all of these technological advancements.  It is almost as though they were born with a computer in their laps and a cell phone in their hands.  On the other spectrum are the digital immigrants who are merging into this technology environment.  I think it is so intriguing for me, because I deal with this very thing day after day.  I am the mother of three; a twenty-two year old, a twenty-one year old, and a sixteen year old. 

My children were born into this modern environment; whereas, I wasn't as much.  Although, I do remember the first computers, and the first video games like Pacman.  I'm not opposed to learning technology.  A matter of fact I would consider myself an enthusiastic adoptie.  In the article put out by the Zur Institute, they described enthusiastic adoptes as those who, "embraces technology and immerses themselves in the Internet culture" ( On Digital Immigrants and Digital Natives: How the Digital Divide Affects Families, Educational Institutions, and the Workplace). I have a facebook account which keeps me up to date, not only on friends and family, but my children as well.  I love to play video games, and I keep up on technology because I need it for school.  It is also fun to learn new things that can make my life easier.

These digital natives and digital immigrants may approach problems differently, but I feel that they can learn from each other if given the time.  Patience is a key word for both parties.  Digital natives need to realize that it takes time to adjust to new technology, and digital immigrants need to realize that not all changes with technology are bad.  Problems can arise when both of these users are working on the same problem.  One particular problem is how they get information.  Those that are born with a computer on their lap and a cell phone in their hand are used to getting information in a hurry, and those that are digital immigrants are used to looking up information the old-fashioned way. 

Another problem is the communication in the classroom with these two users is how they approach learning.  The digital immigrant, especially those who are not willing to change tactics on teaching, would prefer to do it the way it has always been done.  According to Mark Prensky in Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants, "...our Digital Immigrant Instructors, who speak an outdated language (that of the pre-digital age), are struggling to teach a population that speaks an entirely new language" (On the Horizon, 2).   The problem is a compromising issue.  Teachers need to reach students on a level they understand, and make it fun.  That is an issue that deals with technology, and students need to realize that teachers can integrate older techniques along with the new.

By using web 2.0 tools in the classroom teachers can enhance communication between the digital natives and the digital immigrants.  More importantly teachers can reach students by making learning fun, and enjoyable.  For example, think of discussion boards.  Students can raise questions to their peers, and participate in their own education. 

The digital divide can be a problem, or we as a society can adjust, and learn something new.  If my eighty-five year old mother can learn to text on her cell phone, because she has a problem hearing over the phone, anyone can learn to use new technology!

Prensky, Marc. (2001, October). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. On the Horizon, 9 (5),             
     Retrieved on 2012/ 9.

Zur, O and Zwr, A. (2011): On Digital Immigrants and Digital Natives:  How the Digital Dvide      Affects Families, Educaitonal Institutions, and the Workplace.  Zur Institute. Online publication.


Disclaimer: This blog is an assignment for an Interdisciplinary Studies course at National University.  It is not a real blog.




  

Interdisciplinary Blog 2

My topic for my Interdisciplinary blog today is discussion boards.  Discussion boards are a highly effective technological resource to use for the classroom setting. They are very useful not only for students, but also for teachers who are keeping up with new advancements in their field.  Lesson plans for different disciplines, and  all around idea sessions can be found on these boards. In my research on this subject I have found several articles that provide valued information on the subject. 

The first area on discussion boards that I researched was on google groups.  In an online article by John Kennedy, Search Giant Brings popular Groups to Google Apps, the article addresses the new way that technology is changing our lifestyles, and how we do things differently with this technology.  In the article the senior product manager of Google apps says,"Blogs, Wikis, social networks, You Tube and Twitter are changing how many of us connect with others" (www.siliconrepublic.com).  This source doesn't give much resources that lead to other sources on the topic, and it was written in 2009 when discussion boards were just getting their start. Although the author does use credible sources.  This passage may be helpful in my developing thesis.

In following more research I came across Zoho Disscusion which is a helpful site on setting up communities where you can share information, and ideas with others.  In Create Public or Private Forums with Zoho Discussions written by Chelsi Nakano on www.cmswire.com I found that Zoho is an innovative tool for education.  On this site you can share "ideas through forums, conduct research, and get insights on preferences with product idea boards."  This article provides a lot of enriching ideas for my topic.

For the last area I found an article on Ning called 7 Things You Should Know About Ning.  It is a helpful article on the basics of what it is, who's doing it, and how it works.  It also gives the opposite reflections on what the downsides are of using it, and the implications for education.  This part of the article will prove to be very helpful on my topic.  The author states, "By creating social networks around academic topics, or even about specific projects for a course, an instructor can facilitate a strong sense of community among the students, encouraging personal interactions that can lead to the creation of new knowledge and collective intelligence" (www.educause.edu/eli). This last article I'm the most excited about, because of the valued information that it provides.

Discussion boards are a vital part of changing the face of education.  Being able to access other teacher's ideas in a community is a vital part of education.

About Me

 Hello.  My name is Libby Scheer and I am a student at National University.  My major is in Interdisciplinary Studies which I am very excited about.  Interdisciplinary Studies according to Allen Repko in his book Interdisciplinary Practice A Student Guide to Research and Writing describes this as, "The integration of knowledge then, means identifying and blending knowledge from relevant disciplines so as to make possible a more comprehensive understanding of the problem, issue, or question at hand than would be possible if one relied solely on a single disciplinary approach" (11).  Along with this area of study an interdisciplinarian has certain traits, and skills that are a part of "one's mind and developing one's character" (Repko. 23).  That, in a nutshell, is the basis for this blog.

Character Traits of an Interdisciplinarian

 

One character trait of an Interdisciplinarian that I have is the taste for adventure.  By having this trait a person experiences new things even though it might be a little intimitatin.  They more into unfamiliar territory to learn new things.  I enjoy putting myself into situations that might be new to me.  You will never know if you like something unless you do not experience new things.

 

Another character trait that is important, is the appreciation of diversity.  I enjoy learning about other cultures, and more importantly, I like learning about where people are coming from.  The best way to get along with others is to see their perspectives.

 

 

Skills of an Interdisciplinarian

 

The other area which is important to an Interdisciplinarian is having skills.  A skill that I have in this area is the ability to think creatively and intuitively.  Thinking about a problem with imagination can really take a person far.  Being open to possibilities, and not to be closed minded is how problems can be figured out.  I try not to be closed minded about situations that come along.

 

Another skill that I have is the ability to communicate compentently.  This is a skill that is highly important, not only in Interdisciplinary Studies, but in all areas of life.  If you can't communicate proplerly with others who have a different way of thinking, you won't be able to work together to form solutions.

 

Repko, A.(2005). Interdisciplinary Practice A Student Guide to Research and Writing. Boston, Mass.Pearson. Book.

 

DISCLAIMER: This blog is an assignment for an Interdisciplinary Studies Course at National University.  It is not a real blog.