I think it’s interesting that the whole native/immigrant thing resonates so deeply. You always have to wonder about these things, similar to the “computer is just a tool” thing that also seems to allay people’s fears about this brave new world. I think it sets up kids as the enemy in a way that is both satisfying and provides an excuse to not change the status quo.

I don’t like Jame McKenzie’s recent critique (Digitial Nativism Digital Delusions and Digital Deprivation) of Prensky. I think its a case of McKenzie the conservative critiquing Prensky the provocateur

I’ve been to a McKenzie inservice and it was all about baby steps, making the technology fit the existing curriculum. eg. Inspiration for concept mapping. OK but limited. He wouldn’t dream of taking teachers out of their comfort zones.

During the break I asked him about logo and he was quite dismissive. “It didn’t work”. What he really means is that he can’t make a living out of it because it is challenging, better to be less ambitious.

His dreary quote from TS Elliot sums up his approach. Slash your wrists, life is so boring. He even has an article on his site titled, “Beware the Visionary”

Prensky talks some nonsense but at least its interesting nonsense.

Also Daniel Livingstone points out here :
“In his (McKenzie’s) view of ‘digital deprivation’ he completely ignores a lot of evidence and published work that shows that (a) the main use of social networking sites by teens is to keep in contact with real-world friends that they DO meet face-to-face, and (b) there are many, many documented cases of people whose lives are significantly enriched through social networking and gaming.”

Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants, Digitally Deficit, and Digitally Dazzling … where are you and what categories do you fit into.

I have often wanted to strangle, choke or do violence to some person who has no idea
what it is I do and what it is that I know.

There are wonderful students who do know a lot about technology. There are also teachers who really know there technology.

I think of the ways in which we create broadening participation . in case you don’t know that , those are the new ways of describing the digital gap, divide, or problems of the underserved whomever they are …

I like the idea of the participation gap. That applies to all of people who are
distant from the use of technology.

Bonnie Sutton

I guess it’s akin to what we do with younger children. We don’t ask, “What do you want to do now”, we give some possible choices and let them indicate their preference. It’s hard to remember sometimes what young and inexperienced minds reside in those maturing bodies.

I’m a big proponent of “student voice” — but I’m not an “out of the mouths of babes” fanatic. Not everything a student says is a most precious gem! It takes a long time for them to have practice with reflection and make it work. You trying out different things with your class is important! But “asking them for suggestions” is a tough one. They don’t have any experience with anything other form of classroom, so have little to judge it on.

Maybe ask them what makes them feel welcome in a classroom, or have them share experiences of learning, and then talk about how the space enhanced (or detracted) from that. Otherwise, it’s sort of like asking a fish if it would like different water better – it’s too close, and at the same time, too far from where they are.

The reason MySpace and blog spaces such as these are so popular because these places allow them to do as they please to their own leisure. They think of it as a right that they’re being denied, and lots of times this is more true than it may seem. Students who feel they can’t express themselves publicly in school or do not feel they have enough say or autonomy, look to where they do and since they value it find purpose in it that it’s freedom. That’s why they dedicate so much time to the things they do.

What can be considered educational varies from person to person as well. All things that should be considered in the activity you mention above.

Ultimately, the main thing a student could need is how to manage their time. Which is why GenTECH is such a good model as it allows the student to learn how to do this. Students, especially in this day and age deserve more autonomy and there’d probably be better results int he learning field if the opportunity was given to them.

There are several other points and details to this, but I’m trying not to make this comment too long or overcomplexify my point. This is the basic jist to the issue you’ve described.

My kids are more like “digital tourists”!