In this course we explore the technological competencies required within a 21st century connected society. It is widely accepted that the internet has transformed the learning styles of modern students. As a result, today’s students think and process information fundamentally differently from their predecessors (1).
The differences between these generational cohorts and their experiences with technology has been explained by categorising them into one of two groups; digital natives or digital immigrants ie: those who have grown up with technology and those who have not, respectively (1).
Digital natives are accustomed to receiving information fast. They like to parallel process and multi-task. They function best when networked and thrive on instant gratification and frequent rewards, preferring games to “serious” work. On the other hand, Digital Immigrants typically have very little appreciation for the skills Natives have acquired and perfected through years of interaction and practice. These skills are almost totally foreign to the Immigrants, who themselves learned – and so choose to teach – slowly, step-by-step, one thing at a time, individually, and above all, seriously (1).
The problem that arises in modern educational institutions for the digital native is that they are often being taught by the teaching styles preferred by digital immigrants and the collaboration of these teaching and learning styles rarely corresponds. Consequently, today’s teachers must learn to communicate in a language and style that relates to their students. This doesn’t mean changing the meaning of what is important, rather adapting their current teaching methodologies by moving through content at a faster pace which is less step-by step, and more parallel (1).
The following video explains one student's vision of how educational institutions need to progress into the future to better reach students through the potential technology can offer. I tend to agree with her views, especially as social and business contexts become increasingly more geared towards digital natives.
References
1)Prensky, M 2001 Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants, viewed online 16/11/09, http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf
REFLECTIONS
Do you think it is necessary for educational institutions to adapt their teaching styles to suit the preferred learning styles of digital natives? and, Do you think the old ways of learning still important?
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Hi Lyneale
ReplyDeleteYou are posing some great questions here that make me think!
I think that there are so many different learning styles - and different abilities of even the digital natives that the teacher may never be able to suit all of the students. I think that a teacher needs to "tread lightly" and introduce new ICT's methods, so not to leave any of there student's behind. I suppose this is what is happening in this course..... learning by trying at your own pace!
Till next time
Cheers
Donna
Hi Donna
ReplyDeleteI think you're right. Even in today's learning institutions, particularly in university settings where people of various ages interact, but also in primary and secondary schooling contexts there are people who are less competent in the use of technologies than others. Students may have a basic idea of how to use technology but there are always some who excel and are able to do things that others find it difficult or even impossible to achieve. I think this is the benefit of ICTs; they allow people to work at their own pace. In this respect learning can take place without holding the faster students back or working ahead of the slower students.