Assignment+1+~+Theory

 


====Would it be overstating a fact to assume that the bulk of the population born after 1980’s are truly “Digital Natives”? This term, describing a generation that has never known life without computers, is used by Don Tapscott in his book “//[|Grown up Digital]//”, to highlight for his readers the notion that these young learners are developing and learning in a way that is very different from previous generations. Not only has the digital age changed skill sets dramatically, but it has completely transformed the way in which these “Netgeners”, another oft used Tapscott label, see and interact with the world. They are able to open and organize multitudes of information with a myriad of ways to view and absorb it. They can then take learnings from fieldwork, books, the internet and other sources and compile and present it in an endless number of ways, limited only by their imaginations. They can have a thought one moment and convey it to a limitless audience the next. There has never before been a time when it is so simple to share ideas in so many ways with so many people. Even the youngest of digital learners "(...)adopt and pal around with virtual Neopets on line instead of (...playing with toy puppies, etc.). And they're connected to one another by a common culture. Major aspects of their lives -social interaction, freindships, (...)- are mediated by digital tecnologies. And they've never known any other way of life." (Palfrey, Born Digital, p. 2) The lightening fast speed with which they are taking control of technology is mindboggling. Teachers must step up and engage these leaders of tomorrow in positive and responsible use of the powerful tools available today. Additionally, instructors must reflect upon and implement the most important lesson content and use these digital tools not as a lesson in themselves, but to "reinforce" what is being taught. (Redekopp, lecture) ====


====If we consider that each of us perceives the world (and our places withing it) differently, then the mastering of digital tools such as I-phones and other cellular devices, I-touches, cameras, computers, etc., to display each young individual's views should certainly bring about a deeper understanding of themselves and each other. With every new project comes the chance for a student to present information, shaped by their own ideas and opinions. The definition of //identity// given in the context of Erikson's theory of psychosocial development is: The complex answer to the question, "Who am I?" (p. 68, Educational Psychology 4th ed.) Although Erikson describes adolescence as the major period in the lifecycle for identity formation, it seems logical that children are beginning the process of developing the answer to the question, "Who am I?" at a much earlier stage. ====


====One only need converse with a confident six or seven year old of today for a short time to find that they already have a well-established sense of themselves. It is evident that the confidence that comes with successes as a young learner is important to children's positive development of identity. To refer to Erikson once more, a child beween ages 6-12 years would be in his developmental stage called "Industry versus Inferiority. (p. 65) Skill aquisition is apparently one of the keys to success at this stage. The young //digital native// will have had many more opportunities for skill aquisition and successes with technology than any youths prior to today. Many positive, non-judgemental experiences will come from testing out their computer skills both at home and at school. ====