As a first-year teacher, fresh out of college, I cannot count on my hands how many times I heard, "You're the young one, you probably know technology better than me." There is a common misconception that all young people know technology better than older generations. However, is that always true? Were we ever actually taught how to use it? The term "digital native" is too broad to be useful in today's classroom, and assuming otherwise does more harm than good.
While Prensky's original framework may have made sense previously, Spiegel's revisit reveals how much the landscape has shifted. One of my biggest concerns with the term is the assumption that every student is a digital native. In reality, that depends heavily on a student's background, socioeconomic status, and home life. We cannot assume that the year someone was born automatically makes them digitally fluent on every platform ever. Because of this assumption, students are often no longer taught the foundational skills necessary to operate technology productively, however, they still need that guidance.
Another part of Spiegel's article that stood out to me was the finding that many teens are not actually compelled by gadgetry. Again, many, not all. A lot of teens are drawn to the social aspect of technology rather than the technology itself. I think about my own experience as a teenager. I remember being 15 years old, a sophomore in high school, begging my mom for a PlayStation 4. Was I interested in the new spiderman game? Yes? However, It was mainly not because I had a new interest in gaming, but because it was how I could talk to my friends. Owning the technology was simply a means to a social end, which aligns with what is discussed on page 13.
Spiegel also notes that English teachers must appeal to all types of digital users, just as they do all types of learners. This resonated with me deeply. We too often assume students can critically analyze media, identify bias, and distinguish between platforms, when in fact, they cannot. This does not even have to relate to just English teachers. I found myself guilty toward the end of my own school year, I assumed all my students knew how to use Google Slides. As educators, we have a responsibility to introduce digital literacy in intentional, meaningful ways rather than taking it for granted.
Sir Ken Robinson's talk reinforced this for me. His argument that schools must recognize the human conditions under which students thrive connects directly to this conversation. We cannot bring humanness into our classrooms while simultaneously making blanket assumptions about our students' digital lives. Not every child has grown up with consistent access to laptops, smartphones, or tablets. These articles have made me realize that digital literacy is not optional, it is part of meeting students where they are.
Hi Giana!
ReplyDeleteYour introduction is very relatable. I just finished my first year (and I'm 23 myself), and even though I am quite comfortable with technology, I do not like the expectation put on me that I "must know" what I am doing. I also do not like the assumption that my students in science class do either. As you and Spiegel both mentions, this assumption is counterproductive and does more harm than good because the foundational skills are being skipped right over, especially as it relates to home life and economic status. I had 5-10 students this school year without internet access at home and it was unfortunately often overlooked by other teachers on my team.
I have a similar story about google slides. I had thought that my students knew how to use them. However, I had some students have a hard time even getting there because they were not familiar with all of the google platforms that can be accessed through their Gmail! Other students turned in work on google slides that showed a lack of having awareness of slideshow adequate that I was taught at their age. We need to bring back the foundation. I can definitely admit I was assuming way too much about technology in my classroom this year!
Great reflections!
Hi Giana! I loved your reflection at the beginning. I started teaching last year when I was 22 and fresh out of college, so I definitely relate. I wasn't raised with any technology at all, so it was very strange to me that everyone assumed I would know best how to do things when (in my opinion) I probably knew the least of everyone.
ReplyDeleteHey Giana, I thank you for sharing your perspective here. I especially like the way you elevated the social aspect of teen or young people's digital usage. I believe this is a critical aspect of understanding ones reasoning for navigating technology.
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