Digital+Natives

Digital Natives are considered to be the people that were born into and have grown up with technology, whereas the eldest of the Net Generation or Digital Natives will turn 33 and the youngest will turn 13 as of this year, 2010. (Adapted from Tapscott, 2009, p. 1). Numerous people of the previous generation believe that there are numerous downsides to growing up in the modern technologically advanced world. They believe that most Digital Natives are actually less intelligent than they were. Furthermore, they feel that the present generation is very narcissistic and has a poor work ethic. Finally, they feel that their social skills are progressively declining and that they do not participate enough in healthy activities and sports. Professor Bauerlein sums up the thoughts up many by claiming that the ‘”the twenty-first-century teen, connected and multitasked, autonomous yet peer-mindful, makes no great leap forward in human intelligence, global thinking or netizen-ship”’(Adapted from Tapscott, 2009, pp.3-5).

Contrarily, many people consider Digital Natives to be a much more intelligent and sophisticated generation. An investigation directed by Don Tapscott, the author of //Growing Up Digital// and //Grown Up Digital// revealed numerous and possibly surprising results. The investigation revealed that digital natives are much more tolerant of diversity and are actually more deeply concerned about justice and the problems that the contemporary society is faced with. The investigation revealed the generation is more engaged politically and the digital natives are "replacing a culture of control with a culture of enablement" (Tapscott, 2006, p. 6). Furthermore, the digital generation “prize freedom and freedom of choice. They want to customize things, make them their own. They’re natural collaborators, who enjoy a conversation, not a lecture. They’ll scrutinize you and your organization. They insist on integrity. They want to have fun, even at work and at school. Speed is normal. Innovation is part of life" (Tapscott, 2009, pp.6-7). Unfortunately, Tapscott claims that the digital generation is making one huge error that will someday cost them more than they could possibly imagine. He claims that they are divulging too much personal information that will undermine their future privacy.

Unfortunately, divulging too much information on social networking sites and otherwise that will potentially return to haunt them in their future is not their only vice. The internet, especially warez sites, opened up a whole new world of opportunity for theft. A copious amount of movies, music and software is being pirated all over the world, particularly by teenagers, and therefore it is the responsibility of parents and teachers alike to educate the youth that even though an individual can download music, movies and software from the internet from sources such as warez websites and peer-to-peer sharing programs, most of the data is copyrighted and illegal to download. In addition, it is important that internet users understand the negative repercussions that piracy produces.

Personally, I would have to agree with both perspectives. In some instances, the Digital Generation is not as intelligent as previous generations. For instance, they are less adept at internalization or memorization which is still important in the contemporary age, especially when studying for tests such as the two exams required for class 1 licensing. On the other hand, the Digital Generation is more politically involved, more tolerant of diversity and capable of dealing and figuring out new technologies within a few minutes. Nevertheless, it is important for educators to realize that the contemporary student does learn better through interactive and visual media. Thus, to help build a successful student educators must utilize current technology to better teach students.