Assignment
1 Digital Natives (from Dr. Michael
Barbour)
Read:
Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives, digital immigrants – Part
II: Do they really think differently? On the Horizon, 9(6). Retrieved
from http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf
McKenzie, J. (2007). Digital nativism: Digital delusions and
digital deprivation. From Now On, 17(2). Retrieved from http://fno.org/nov07/nativism.html
Reeves, T.C. (2008). Do generational differences matter in
instructional design? Online discussion presentation to Instructional
Technology Forum from January 22-25, 2008 at http://itforum.coe.uga.edu/Paper104/ReevesITForumJan08.pdf
The main takeaways from these readings include:
·
while the theory of generational differences exists and is a
valid theory, there is no research at present that indicates instructional
designers should modify instruction or instructional strategies to accommodate
today’s generation of students
·
there is no reliable and valid research to support the belief
that technology has somehow changed today’s generation of students
·
further to the fact that Prensky’s notion of digital natives
isn’t based on research, McKenzie does a convincing job of illustrating how
Prensky even misused the anecdotal “evidence” that he presents to support his
beliefs
·
one thing that can be said about today’s student, based upon
reliable and valid research, is that they are more narcissistic than any
previous generation
· However,
even faced with these realities many still believe that the students they teach
are fundamentally influenced by digital technology and it has changed the way
that they learn in the classroom.
As future principals, what do you take away from these
"generational differences" readings?
Connect your response to NETS A Standard 5
Connect your response to NETS A Standard 5
Post your response to this prompt ON YOUR OWN blog.
In addition to your response, you are asked to leave comments on at
least three other students’ blogs. You should always respond to those who
leave a comment on your blog.
