Doubts About Digital Natives

Tom Kuntz in his blog expresses doubts that educators can assume that those born between 1980 and 2000 are 'digital natives'. There is no special path to understanding the new technological world. In my experience, our students are digital natives only in that they are reliant on the web to provide them with research, they are often shallow in their searches, and usually do not know about many of the resources and tools that are there to help them.

They are, however, usually much more fluent in finding the correct keys, negotiating a new site, and are higher risk takers than the adults around them. This can't be interpreted as being a digital native. We need to teach our students. This often will be a collaborative teaching as we are learning together. We can not assume they know it all.

My two youngest children born in 1985 and 1993, both feel that although they can word process fill in spreadsheets, chat on Facebook and email, that they haven't a clue about other technologies. Sad statement that none of the new technologies have been addressed or taught in their schools.