The Choral Reading we did in class was really cool. It was really interesting to listen to see how different each group’s reading was. Even though most of us picked the same poem, every group made the piece sound special and unique. This would be a great activity to do with a classroom. It would really get the students engaged and interested. They would likely enjoy this much more than sitting back and listening to yet another piece being read to them. Like the other readings we have gone over, student involvement is highly beneficial!
Digital Natives:
This article did not come as much of a surprise to me. I think we are definitely apart of a digital generation. From names like, “Digital Natives, Generation-D (digital), Nintendo Kids, the MTV generation” this generation basically eats, breathes and sleeps technical. For example, I don’t know about you guys but my cell phone is literally like a life line for me. It’s my alarm clock, planner, map, communication tool (phone, e-mail, text), weatherman, etc. I’m not sure what I would do without it. However, my mother only uses her phone for calling when she’s not at home to use the landline. We are definitely from different generations than even our parents.
When I took the quiz, I was expecting to do pretty well. I ended up with a 4/6 because I wasn’t familiar with the terms ‘modding or smart mobs’. The rest, I knew from prior experiences or like blogging and wikis, were terms that I became more familiar with from my experiences in my Education classes.
On another note, I was really intrigued by the term, ‘Digital immigrants’; it makes perfect sense! Immigrants have a difficult time with adjusting to their new lifestyle as it is so throw in a totally different generation and they will definitely have it harder than most. Anyone not familiar with this digital lifestyle could almost be considered an immigrant. My mother for example, once again, would be classified as a digital immigrant. The technologies that are being used to today are as foreign to her as a new language would be to an ELL student. She must start with the very basics on any new technology before she masters it and it takes her a little longer than most to figure it out.
“Digital Natives perceive technology as their friend and rely on it to study, work, play, relax and communicate. Natives dominate the seats in our classrooms and are an increasing presence in the entry-level workplace.” That statement sums up the digi-lifestyle extremely well. Technology in this day is definitely our friend. We use it for everything and continue to learn from it. It’s constantly expanding and we’re following right along with it. Like the article states, everyone from the United States Army to Harvard Business School has jumped on the Technology Train and is using it in as many ways as possible in hopes of effective expansion and inclusion of more individuals.
The final issue that struck my attention was the relation of ADD to this generation. What did everyone else think of that because I really wasn’t sure how I felt about it! On one hand there have been an increased number of students being ‘diagnosed’ with ADD but to say that it’s a bi-product of this digital generation is going off on a whim in my opinion. I personally found the shirt to be quite dead on when it said something along the lines of, “I don’t have ADD I’m just not listening to you”. I feel that if teachers had a little more patience with their students they would find that the students do not need to be ‘diagnosed’ or labeled as I like to think of it; they merely need a little more guidance and attention.
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First off, let me say that I have to agree with you 100% that my phone is my life line. I can not imagine living with out it. When I think about it, I got my phone when I was 16 ( when I was able to drive) and now I know lots of kids that are like 10 years oldor younger having their own cell phones. I think that's crazy in one way, but it's also nice for parents because their son or daughter is always just a phone call away. Especially since having a cell phone makes you totally accountable, I mean you can't not call people back if they call your cell, because they know damn well that you got their call! Ugh, that's the only thing I hate about my cell phone.
Anyways, on to the other note I wanted to talk about, the ADD topic. I also agree with you on the fact that it seems like quiet a stretch for people to link ADD and technology. I mean, back in our days we used to have to play outside and whatnot, but that doesn't mean that we escaped a disorder because of it. Personally, I think that ADD and ADHD are extremely over diagnosed and that it just seems like the easy way out for many parents and teachers. I mean it's easy for them to say, "oh yeah, he's falling behind or he's not paying attention because he has ADD". I really think that there has to be some adjustments made in the classroom according to learning type and activity level, not according to whether the student is labeled something or not.
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