Thursday, June 10, 2010
Are Net Gens tech literate and more...
TechTicker (by Mike Bogle) discusses elearning, educational technology and emerging technology. In this post, discussing digital literacy, pedagogy and the Net Generation, Bogle looks at a few academic articles. One defines ICT Literacy to include "generativity" and takes into account attitude. Another article discusses how students might apply technology in learning. The final article emphasizes the importance of instructor attitude and confidence in teaching with technology. See http://techticker.net/2010/06/11/digital-literacy-pedagogy-and-the-so-called-net-generation/
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Not sure if NetGens are truly "literate". Just that they are more comfortable using the tools (technology) for communication, etc. The tools have simplified high level interfaces that hide the complex underlying tech. ie, using Google sites there's a wonderful interface to easily create your own website, using supplied templates, etc. Users don't have to learn HTML, JScript, or understand FTP. To me literacy is understanding how something works, not how to simply use it. Just because you've learned how to drive a car doesn't mean you're automobile literate (ie, able to understand the workings of a gas combustion engine, transmission gearing, hydraulics, etc), you just turn the key (or push a button now), put it in gear and drive.
ReplyDeleteSo, NetGens are not digital literate, they just know how to use the current suite of magic tools for their generation.