I have never thought of classifying a person as a "digital native" or a "digital immigrant." There is definitely a digital divide between the generations growing up without computers than those growing with the technology. Nowadays, everywhere you turn there is a flashing screen or a computer. You can't seem to survive in this century without the knowledge of some basic computer skills. In the YouTube Video, Do Digital Natives Exist it mentions the question of “Is there a danger in assuming that they don’t need to be taught how to computer?”
As a digital native myself, I find it frustrating that people expect me know everything there is to know about a computer. The digital immigrants (my grandmother for example) assume that I know exactly how to use every program there is and how to fix any glitch on a computer. There is so much information about the every adapting technology that it is hard to keep up. I have learned a lot about how to keep up with technology through my graduate program and have been given resources that allow me to hear about the latest technologies. There are so many resources available on how to use the latest technologies that I am feeling more confident in my abilities to use them. However, not everyone that I work with is so easily adaptable with the technology as I am. In Sree Sreenivasan's TedTalk, he mentions that “Digital natives are fearless, they embrace technology and love technology.”
I do not agree with this statement completely. It creates this stereotype that everyone who grew up in the digital age is willing to use and "love" technology. Many of the people I went to high school with aren't as willing to use technology. They prefer to work with their hands and do things in a tactile way. One of my friends growing up didn't have a cell phone until he was a senior in college. He felt that he didn't want to fall into the "trap" that sucks everyone in and being connected all the time. I feel that information about the use of technology needs to be shared. Teachers need to learn how to use the technology and integrate it into their classes.
Every day, dozens of stories are broadcast on the radio, and they have the potential to offer our students that same rich experience, helping them connect to the content in ways written text can’t reach them. Now, you can with podcasts.
Wow in the World is an educational podcast created by two really cool people, Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas. Guy Raz is a host, co-creator, and editorial director of three NPR programs, including TED Radio Hour and How I Built This. Mindy Thomas has worked for 16 years on SiriusXM’s Kid’s Place Live Channel where she hosts the Absolutely Mindy Show and where she served as Program Director for ten years. Together they knew there was a need for smart, creative, curiosity-inspiring podcasts that kids and grownups could listen to together.
The podcast episode I listened to was Hey Onion! You're Makin Me Cry! It was so much fun to listen to. I actually wanted to learn about onion plants and why they make us cry. It was a very silly and very informative. I can see using this podcast for many science lessons. They have different episodes that cover the planets, recycling, medicine. These two really have a way of making very complex situations and explaining them in words children can understand.
