In today’s society, a major player is the ‘digital native’. These are those people who have grown up with the evolution of technology – like me and those younger. We are familiar with the constant stimulus of the internet, social networking, mobile phones, mp3s etc. We multitask by using each and every available technology all at once. However, although many people think we are lucky to grow up with such variety of technology at our fingertips, there can be many downsides. One of which is how easy it is to become bored.
This issue of ‘boredom’ is huge in a schooling context. At home we are watching TV, texting, listening to music, searching the net AND talking on MSN, Facebook, Twitter. At school, we are expected to listen, read and write – and usually in the boring old traditional ways (chalk and talk). We are not stimulated. We are not using the technology that we have grown up with and constantly use. We are not actively learning. We are bored.
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Hi Kelly
ReplyDeleteThe question of boredom is interesting isn't it?
I am not a digital native and can remember only once in my childhood saying I was bored! The result was that I got to clean out the very untidy linen cupboard! Do you think one of the reasons boredom is so prevalent is that we now expect to be entertained and are not taught to entertain ourselves? Good luck with your desire to engage the learner, may they also learn how to engage themselves.
regards
sue
Hi Sue
ReplyDeleteYes, I think that boredom nowadays is due to not being taught to entertain ourselves like previous generations. We now expect technology to entertain us - which I find very interesting.
Thanks for your input.
Kelly
Hi Sue & Kelly,
ReplyDeleteInteresting discussion here. I agree that digital natives like to be entertained. The idea that we can consider many of them natives thogh I feel often leads to a misconception. While most digital natives I know are comfortable with all the technology that surrounds them, as you suggested Kelly, they are not always as proficient with the technologies as some might think. Similar to the digital referees (me) they quite often are faced with learning new knowledge when they expected to interact with some of these tools in class. Some natives and referees tend to specialise in only a few of the web 2.0 technologies. I was while I was looking into that idea that I found a great website that introduces the concept of the web voyeur (it is like the missing link to me). If you are interested her is the link,
Stephen Abram’s definition of the “Internet Voyeurs”-http://stephenslighthouse.sirsi.com/archives/2006/02/internet_voyeur.html
Dear all,
ReplyDeleteI thought I posted a reply to this blog last week but I obviously did something wrong! I recall saying that I find the concept of the internet voyeur fascinating and I discussed on my blog how it is a great description of me! Thanks for the article link Sharon.
Also talking of digital natives, don't you find it strange how they cannot sit still and constantly have to be 'connected' by texting, IMing, emailing or talking on their mobile phones? Technology seems to be replacing real human contact.
Rgds
Michele
Hi everyone,
ReplyDeleteI want to apologise for all my spelling errors earlier lol. I must have been tired.
Your welcome Michelle. It is an interesting article.
You mentioned that technology seems to be replacing real human contact and while I am tempted to agree I can't. In my opinion it is simply a different type of human contact.
As a person who spends a lot of time talking to my friends online (many I met online and live in other countries), I have to point out that communicating with others online is a unique and often humbling experience.
For some reason, there is an ability to be more honest over the internet.
I realise the perception is that people lie online and say they are stick thin when they are 100 pounds, but my experience has shown me that in fact the majority of people are more honest. Whether that means they are nastier or nicer or reveal intimate details of their life just depends on their personality.
For a lot of people the internet has provided them with a connectivity to others, and relieved a sense of loneliness, that was not possible for them before (perhaps because they are handicapped, just lonely, oh too many reasons).
I can see this has already turned into a novella; but I just thought that perhaps hearing another perspective from someone who socialises a lot online (mainly in forums with people who have similar interests or hobbies)might help you understand the appeal it holds for some of us.
Regards,
Sharon
Hi Everyone
ReplyDeleteThis is a really interesting discussion. I can only respond by sharing my own experience. When I am on the computer for hours at a time and texting on my mobile in between, after a few hours I feel quite drained. I am also less open to discussions with my housemate because I am in a different space and more often 'in my head'. I realise however, that for me, being a 'digital immigrant' as I'm 43, that's probably to be expected. I'm doing pretty well to keep up and I feel very excited about the possibilities. On the other hand, I want to establish the balance and that means finding other ways to learn as well. I am reminded of the various key note speaches of Sir Ken Robinson who is passionate about telling educators how important it is to foster creativity. Computers and technology can cultivate creativity but don't we also want our kids to enjoy the Arts. We have an Arts Curriculum to be proud of in Australia. The Arts can help bring about the balance.
Regards
Emma