Digital Natives

In a recent poll 70% of the people agreed that "digital natives" is not a myth. The study goes on to show, however, how much the young digital savvy have left to learn. Although many young people are really good at using digital things they often don't use them to their potential. They often primarily use their digital skills to listen to music or surf the internet. Personally I do not think the ability to use digital media makes a person digitally literate. With the help of teachers, however, students can become digitally literate easier with their preexisting skills using digital media. I think teacher's should embrace student's desire and skill with using digital media. I think teachers, and even some of my professors, think it is distracting for students to be on computers but I think it is a really good way to get students excited about what they are learning. I think the best way to make students eager and interested in learning it to make it accessible. If students are bored or so unfamiliar with the information they are uncomfortable they won't want to learn. I think incorporating digital media with students that are growing up with digital media being more and more common in their lives from teachers that may not have grown up with it also provides an opportunity for collaboration in the classroom. I really think young students can show a lot to their teachers as well as the teachers leading them. A good place to start with this is class blogs. I think that even if the assignment is small it is fun and interesting for students to get to use technology and put things online.

"Is the digital native a myth?" Learning & Leading with Technology Nov. 2011: 8. Academic OneFile. Web. 8 Dec. 2011