Prensky's definition of his term "digital native" assumes that all people born in a specific year- raised with technology are automatically experts. Regardless of your circumstance, these generations know nothing outside of technology meaning that there should be no issue navigating the constantly evolving technological age. 
In some points that can be true and I agree, using myself as an example and being part of Gen Z, I can see how that assumption can be made. There are few memories that I have outside of a technological upbringing. I didn't have to get around using a map, in my educational journey I remember going to computer labs, learning to type, and surfing the web. However- to Spiegel's point- there was not a moment that I can recall being taught how to do certain things. Many of the skills that I possess when it comes to navigating technology has come from me being left as Spiegel says- to my own devices. Spiegel argues that though this generation and everyone after it is being raised in technology- there is not a moment in the education curriculum where students are being taught how to make the most of the technology and media at their disposal.
In some points that can be true and I agree, using myself as an example and being part of Gen Z, I can see how that assumption can be made. There are few memories that I have outside of a technological upbringing. I didn't have to get around using a map, in my educational journey I remember going to computer labs, learning to type, and surfing the web. However- to Spiegel's point- there was not a moment that I can recall being taught how to do certain things. Many of the skills that I possess when it comes to navigating technology has come from me being left as Spiegel says- to my own devices. Spiegel argues that though this generation and everyone after it is being raised in technology- there is not a moment in the education curriculum where students are being taught how to make the most of the technology and media at their disposal.
There is a wide assumption that students know how to use it because its there. And to their point- many students possess a variety of skills and levels to their media literacy- but that doesn't mean that it translates to all the things that they are doing. I can know how to code- but that doesn't mean that I will ever use that in my day to day if what I'm doing doesn't require a coding. Youth are resilient as I like to say- they are sponges that absorb the world around them and can adapt to what is popular almost instantly with a tutorial or two, that is why the education system has to reflect that. I definitely agree with Spiegel, most students aren’t fully prepared to use technology in academic or professional settings. Being good at scrolling through social media or making TikToks doesn’t mean that youth know how to handle more complex, meaningful, or even ethical uses of technology.
The author makes a really interesting point about how we all use technology differently. Some of us are creators, some are gamers, some are socialites, and some are more task-oriented workers. Teachers need to design lessons that actually speak to these different digital personalities instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach. But here’s the thing: we can’t just live in our digital bubbles. There has to be a balance between digital and traditional learning. It’s great to use new tools, but we also need to develop other skills and ways of thinking that technology doesn’t always teach us. That’s where real growth happens.
I love your point: "Being good at scrolling through social media or making TikToks doesn’t mean that youth know how to handle more complex, meaningful, or even ethical uses of technology." There are so many ways to use technology. There is probably nobody in the world who is perfect at using every platform, website, or game. Some people may use social media well, while others might know the inner workings and use of Word, Excel, and Sheets.
ReplyDeleteI love that you also targeted in on the idea of assumptions. I'm a "write my own reflection before I read anybody else's work" kind of student, so it feels validating to now read your reflection and see the similarities in our takeaways.
ReplyDeleteI think you're absolutely right about how teachers need to find that balance, and teach the skills that our individual students and classrooms need support or development in.
Excellent point about balancing digital and "IRL" skills! So often, educators focus on one skill to the exclusion of the other, or tack on a ceremonial "tech" piece of something to check a box. We need to focus on the whole learning process and how the variety of tools we can use will affect different learning types.
ReplyDeleteHey Vi! You make really good points. I love the point you made about balance, there has to be a mid point in this type of thinking.
ReplyDeleteInteresting point about map-reading. I wonder, are kids taught to read maps these days? I loved those social studies lessons as a kid.
ReplyDeleteHi V! I also resonate with having memories outside of a technological upbringing and learning how to use tech through personal exploration. It so important that we don't assume what students capabilities are when it comes to technology, especially when it comes to academic technology.
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