Before this class I had never heard of the term ‘digital native’. As soon as we learned the term I figured I was one because technology has always been a part of my life. I have always been very good with technology and am often teaching people how to do things on computers. However, when I took the ‘Digital Native Quiz’ at http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/articles/ digitalnatives/index.htm I realized I was not. I only knew three of the six terms they asked. I did not know what a wiki, modding, or a smart mob was. I had heard the term ‘wiki’ and always figured it was like Wikipedia, which I use often, but never knew a definition of it. This made me realize even though I am familiar with many types of digital literacy, the definition is always expanding as new technology emerges. This is similar to how our literacy definitions we discussed in class are always developing.
For wikis, modding and smart mobs I am in the ‘emergent’ stage of the digital literacy process. I am beginning to understand how these three types of digital literacy can convey meaning to people, but I could not participate or teach someone about these. However, for other types of digital literacy I am fluent. I think the term “emergent” can be applied to this because it is just showing I am lacking information, but am on my way to become literate in these categories. This is similar to how Tompkins’s said the term was developed by New Zealand educator, Marie Clay. I am excited to begin explore these new types of literacy so I can become fluent in them.
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Dear Jess,
I was interested by your post because you made the distinction of being unfamiliar with certain terms on the digital natives quiz yet being fluent in other aspects of digital literacy. I liked that you stated that you were simply 'lacking the information' on certain terms of the quiz, because it made me think about whether lack of exposure is the main reason why all individuals are not digital natives. I feel that generational and personality characteristics are definitely relevant in determining whether or not a person becomes a digital native; however, I also feel that digital access is still a commodity for many individuals across the world.
I was curious about your comment that you often teach others computer literacy; did someone initially teach you how to utilize computers and then you used the same methods to teach others? Or did you teach others about computers simply because technology has always been part of your life? In other words, how much scaffolding did you receive to achieve computer literacy? :)
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