Reading Response - October 18th, 2010

Born digital: Understanding the first generation of digital natives

Guess’ Review of Born digital: Understanding the first generation of digital natives, by Palfrey & Gasser was an interesting read.  Gasser’s statement that “bans are usually not a good way to improve the learning experience of students” resonated with me.  Realistically, we probably wouldn’t succeed in implementing a ban – students know how to remain connected.  The suggestion that teachers and students have conversations about when and how information technology is good for learning sounds far more reasonable.  It seems that with technology’s ubiquitous presence in our lives it is easy to make the assumption that things must be better with technology.  This is not, however, always the case.  Perhaps open conversations about this issue will help develop more critical engagement and usage.

Palfrey’s statement, “Technology on its own can do nothing; it’s just a tool for teachers and students to put to work in support of how they want to teach and learn” also resonated with me.  This statement places the use of technology within the framework of pedagogical goals, which should be paramount.  However, with so many initiatives (e.g. use of SmartBoards, or D2L) it seems that it is the technology that is leading, rather than the learning or pedagogy. 

RBWD&UG Thoughts  

The guidelines in RBWD&UG serve to optimize the user experience.  I think that I have experienced many of the ‘don’ts’ listed and felt the great frustration that can arise.  One thing in particular that I have found frustrating is the ‘time out’ feature, as used in sites selling tickets to events.  More than once I’ve gone through the laborious process of finding a date and choosing seats, only to have the system log out before I could run to the other room and return with my Visa.  It doesn’t take many of these experiences to ‘train’ a prepared user

: Phone in one hand to check suitability of dates and prices with all parties involved; wallet with Visa poised in the other!

p.s.  Don't you just love Google?