Lit Review: "Are 'digital natives' really digitally competent?--A study on Chinese teenagers"

            The purpose of this study was to answer the question, are digital natives really competent in using such tools in their learning circumstances? The study focused on a group of Chinese students in secondary school. The specific objectives of the study were:

(1) to analyse the ninth grade students’ experiences with computers and the Internet in China
(2) to assess the ninth grade students’ digital competence
(3) to examine the relationship between the ninth grade students’ digital performance and their personal characteristics (school, gender and age) and experiences with computers and the Internet.

               Martin defined digital literacy as ‘the awareness, attitude and ability of individuals to appropriately use digital tools and facilities to identify, access, manage, integrate, evaluate, analyze and synthesize digital resources, construct new knowledge, create media expressions, and communicate with others, in the context of specific life situations, in order to enable constructive social action; and to reflect upon this process’ (pp. 135–136). The questionare contained 35 questions about three domains of digital competence: technological, cognitive and ethical.

               School was found as an important variable that influenced the ninth grade students’ competence. It had significant impact on students’ performance in all the three domains (technological, cognitive and ethical). Probably some schools were better than other schools in developing their students’ digital competence and cultivating it through information and communication technologies education. Digital competence is a global challenge for educational systems in this new age. These "digital natives" still need the instruction of "digital immigrants."               
                 The main finding of the research was that there were big disparities among students in their digital performance. Factors such as age and school seem tohave an impact on students’ performance. K-12 schools should pay greater attention to the gap existing among students. We need to find out the reasons behind the divides and the possible solutions to bridge the gap. Living in a digital environment does not always mean being digitally competent. Even though new generations spontaneously learn to use technologies, there is not enough evidence that they are digitally competent.

              

Information:               

Are 'digital natives' really digitally competent?--A study on Chinese teenagers

Yan Li, Maria Ranieri. British Journal of Educational Technology. London: Nov 2010. Vol. 41, Iss. 6; pg. 1029.

http://pn8vx3lh2h.search.serialssolution.com/?SS_Source=3&genre=article&sid=ProQ:&atitle=Are%20'digital%20natives'%20really%20digitally%20competent%3F%2D%2DA%20study%20on%20Chinese%20teenagers&title=British%20Journal%20of%20Educational%20Technology&issn=00071013&date=11%2F01%2F2010&volume=41&issue=6&spage=1029&SS_docid=000002165159821&author=Yan%20Li%3B%20Maria%20Ranieri

Equal Access

          We are living in an information age and our children need to be provided with high-quality education to succeed. The future of our children's success depends on the quality of education. They will not be able to succeed in this competitive global economy if they do not have the skills. More and more jobs are requiring technology skills and the amount of jobs requiring a college degree are increasing as well.
           America needs to have equal access to quality education if it wishes to remain a world leader. Our children are a priceless resource for this nation. We need to seize this opportunity and make it possible for every child to receive the quality education they deserve. Our world is changing and we need to keep up with this change. Before, computers were a novelty to have in the classroom. Now, children are using computers in their school on a daily basis. It is critical that we continue to build on these accomplishments. We need to get funding into the schools to provide the technology and experienced teachers to teach them the skills required to succeed in this new age.

Remixing History: The Cigar Box Project

              I watched the "Remixing History: The Cigar Box Project" video on K12 Online at http://k12onlineconference.org/?p=459. It was a really interesting video for me. I am a Secondary Social Studies student with a BA in History. This teacher came up with a really cool idea for a history project. The kids designed panels for cigar boxes to tell the history of a historical Canadian figure. They worked with a graphic design specialist. They visited an archive room to see primary sources of the historical figures. In the end, they designed and built their own cigar box. Some of the kids got really involved and detailed with their boxes. I think that is an awesome way to surround kids with history and give it context. I feel hands on is the best way for students to absorb and understand history. The kids had an end result to all of their hard work and they were proud of their cigar boxes. I will definitely try and do something along those lines once in the classroom.

The iPod Touch in the Classroom

               This video clip - http://k12onlineconference.org/?p=464 , had a great idea but it was extremely painful to watch. I have a feeling that it was because I've already been exposed to an Ipod and this was not new technology for me. It was extremely basic instructions and I think I take for granted that I have grown up with this technology. I do agree, however, that Ipod Touches in the classroom is a great idea. There are alot of cool applications that would work as useful tools. The device can pick up Wifi and allow students to have another resource right at their fingertips. The teachers could probably learn alot from the students as well. Many students would already have or have come in contact with an Ipod. It is much cheaper than a laptop and is an extremely portable tool.

ETT21 #132: Social Media, Construction and 5th and 6th Grade Tech

             I found this clip interesting - http://edtechtalk.com/ett21_132. A teacher decided to make a facebook fanpage for the Hewitt school. He discussed how people were talking on the internet about the school and some of the talk was negative. He wanted a source where people could read about the school from the source. The fanpage discusses day to day activities that the school is involved with. Rather than sending out emails, parents can go on and read about things that they may not even be aware that the school is taking part in. Parents joined and there was good conversation that happened and it also raised concerns. Parents were concerned that there may be privacy issues by joining such a social networking site.
             I don't blame parents for being concerned about privacy. Lately, there have been issues with facebook concerning bullying and privacy and I can see where parents may have doubts. I think if the page is strictly for information about activities and events at the school, it would not cause any harm. The school is embracing new technology and ways to reach out to people with information. Facebook is a great medium for sharing news.