Digital+Native

Following the ideas of the Digital Native as outlined in the slideshow, **Teaching and Learning with the Digital Natives,** **and article:** **The ‘digital natives’ debate: A critical review of**
 * the evidence** and **Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants**
 * REFLECTIONS:**

The article stated that people born between 1980 and 1994 has been characterized as the ‘digital natives’. Luckily for me I was born in 1987 and I am one of those “children”. Therefore, I find that it may be easier to relate to the students that I teach when it comes use of technology.

The debate over digital natives is based on two key claims: (1) that a distinct generation of ‘digital natives’ exists; and (2) that education must fundamentally change to meet the needs of these ‘digital natives’.

I’m not sure that I am completely sold on the term “digital native”. I know that I was raised with technology but I also believe that because of the easy use of technology that anyone can use it. It says in the article that my generation is called this term “because of their familiarity with and reliance on ICT. They are described as living lives immersed in technology, ‘surrounded by and using computers, videogames, digital music players, video cams, cell phones, and all the other toys and tools of the digital age’.” What about the “older” people who began using these technologies when I was younger? I find that there are people who are a lot older than myself who are more acquainted with the use of technology than I am.

I am however aware that my generation has had more experience with technology than other generations with technology. I do not think it is the term that I am not in agreement, I am just not in agreement in how it is defined.

I felt that the article was correct in that there needs to be more emphasis to meet the needs of the students now when it comes to the use of technology within the classroom. I do not think that this problem will be corrected until there is more funding for technology resources within our classrooms.

I try to meet my students needs within the virtual classroom by including activities that include the use of technology within the classroom. I create projects that they can do using technology. I have also been implementing resources that use technology that students can use to learn the content better.