Digital Native or Immigrant?

Before taking the digital natives quiz, I thought I would score well. Technology has been part of my life for many years now. I feel like I use technology in my everyday life, and it is now part of my daily routine. After taking the quiz, I realized that I am a digital native. The only word that I did not recognize on the digital native quiz was “smart mobs”, and therefore I would say that I am a digital native. I guess this term fits me well because I see technology, such as my computer and cell phone as my friends, not my enemies. So after taking this quiz, I feel like the term “emergent” does not apply to my own digital literacy. I have been exposed to technology for a long time now. I was fortunate enough to have a computer course in high school, and I think that is why I feel so comfortable using a computer. Also, taking CEP 416 really introduced me to new technology systems that we as teachers can use, some of which were terms listed in the digital natives quiz (wikis, blogs, Google maps, web portfolios, and digital storytelling).

When I think about applying the term “emergent” to my own digital literacy, I take in consideration Tompkins definition of “emergent” literacy for children. Tompkins defines emergent literacy as the stage in which, “young children gain an understanding of the communicative purpose of print, and they move from pretend reading to reading repetitive books and from using scribbles to simulate writing to writing patterned sentences” (p. 89). Since I have been using technology from a young age, I have long developed an interest for and understanding of how technology can be used for a variety of purposes. I have been using email and instant messaging for a while now, so much that it has just become part of my everyday routine. So, if I had to classify myself, I would say that I am “fluent” in digital literacy. I have taken many courses about technology, including computer programs such as Word and Excel, and feel like I know how to use them very well. Just like Tompkins states that “fluent readers use comprehension strategies effectively”, when I come across a problem with technology, I am not afraid to ask questions. However, I usually can figure out a problem by myself through trial and error. Just like a “fluent” reader is able to make connections, such as text-to-text, I am able to make connections with technology. For example, if I am trying to figure out Microsoft Word, I can use many techniques that I have learned from Microsoft PowerPoint and apply it to Microsoft Word. So, I am able to use strategies from learning one technology, and apply it to learning a new technology. From our readings and class discussions, “emergent” readers are just starting out and have difficulty comprehending text. Therefore, an “emergent” digital learner may show interest in technology but would pretend to know how to use it. For that reason, I would classify myself as a “fluent” digital learner and hope to use my knowledge of technology in my classroom. It is our job as educators to, “identify learning strategies that are appropriate for Digital Natives, recognizing the different ways they process information and developing learning tools that maximize the potential of their unique learning approach”. This will be a challenge for many teacher’s, but very important to help children succeed in learning to their full potential.