Example Of Essay On Thankful To Be A Digital Native

The video that was shown this week was of a baby who was using her fingers on a magazine to zoom in and zoom out as she would if she was using a digital tablet. At this young age, she had the movement mastered; she just did not understand why it did not work on a magazine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=meyh9BFe-9Q). It was a good illustration on how young people are exposed to electronics today. In the same manner, in the article by Prensky, I appreciated that he mentioned that teachers need to spend less time having students do things in the step-by-step manner of the past and instead be allowed a more random access to information, even if educators do not know yet how this can be done. Education needs to involve a change of how the information is taught and new content and ways of thinking (4).

Since I have been born, there have been cell phones, so I or whoever was watching me has always been able to immediately access my parents. I have never really had to wait to talk to them. Since I was old enough to leave home without an adult, I have had a cell phone, so my parents are used to always being able to immediately reach me. I really do not understand the old saying “They are not available right now. Can I take a message and they will call you back?” I am used to texting someone and having that immediate response. Waiting for an answer to anything just seems so old-fashioned.

In the future, schools will need to allow students to have their phones, tablets, or other communication devices on them. Students today are also accustomed to entertainment during most of their non-school day, and find learning easier if concepts are taught through games in class as well. I do want to learn more about blogging and goggle docs. These are ways of communication for both now and the immediate future. They are also ways we can use our phones and tablets in class.

Works Cited

Prensky, Marc. "Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants." On the Horizon (2001): 1-6.
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