Take a moment to watch the following video, specifically noting the speaker's definition of a digital native and a digital immigrant. What sorts of skills or expectations do digital natives bring to the table? Digital immigrants?
“We often wrongly assume that young people have a complete set of digital skills because they grow up surrounded by digital technologies. The skills that they acquire on the daily basis by using social networks and retrieving online content are not sufficient in the labour market. Required productivity skills can be acquired only by adequate digital education and training.”
—Kestutis Juskevicius, EU Digital Champion Lithuania
“Traditionally, the digital divide referred to the gap between students who had access to the Internet and devices at school and home and those who did not. Significant progress is being made to increase Internet access in schools, libraries, and homes across the country. However, a digital use divide separates many students who use technology in ways that transform their learning from those who use the tools to complete the same activities but now with an electronic device (e.g., digital worksheets, online multiple-choice tests). The digital use divide is present in both formal and informal learning settings and across high and low-poverty schools and communities." (U.S. Department Education).
Transformation of Learning with Technology
Since even "digital natives" aren't born with the skills they'll need in their future workplaces, the way we use technology in our classrooms is important. The disparity between classrooms that use technology actively and those that use technology passively is what contributes to the digital use divide.
It is important to note that passive and active use of technology do not mean the same thing as passive and active engagement. Use the infographic below for clarification.
Use of technology for active engagement is still beneficial for instruction and the support of standards, but active technology use can help students master content area standards and prepare them for their future workplaces.
"Today’s students must be prepared to thrive in a constantly evolving technological landscape. The ISTE Standards for Students are designed to empower student voice and ensure that learning is a student-driven process." (www.iste.orgLinks to an external site.)
Instructions: The ISTE Standards for Students can be used to help you evaluate whether students are passively using technology or building 21st century workplace skills in your classroom. Read "Understanding the ISTE Standards"Links to an external site. for a general overview of these standards, each with a brief example.
As you read, pay particular attention to how the examples employ active technology use or "telling the computer what to do," including:
Collaboration
Creation
Designing
Producing
Which standards seem like natural fits in your current curriculum to help you move from passive technology use to more active technology use?
If you'd like a more detailed look at the ISTE Standards for Students, click hereLinks to an external site. and expand each standard's menu.