COMM140 Blog — Digital Natives
Yes you can read this blog for free. Oh and it’s about technology… Yeah I know boring meh! BUT, have a quick read and let me know what you think after findiing out all new contents behind technology. ENJOY!!
My name’s Angela and I am 20 years old. I’m currently studying Primary School Teaching at the Australian Catholic University. One of the units I am now undertaking is Digital Communication and Technologies, where we discover parts of technologies that enable children to study in a humble and simple environment.
Why is technology so important that we have to learn about so much about it in literature?
Technology plays a crucial part in our lives, and with the development of it throughout the years, we are able to learn things and process information as well achieve certain things that could have taken a while to get done, such as using a coffee machine to make coffee at home, which saves you time when you’re late to work and avoid waiting in line at a Cafe, or using a GPS in the car (the device used in the car to direct you in the right way), I mean, see how technology works wonders. Once we explore the concept and the content of technology, we come to realisation that it is growing around us.

The creation of this blog is to enhance the importance of technology around us and how it has changed our lives. I ensure you that all the work that is provided on this blog is my own, and every source that is used is referenced at the end of each blog post.

Do digital natives exist?
Don’t you all think that kids brains have been processing differently now a days? Well, as Prensky (2001) had argued that students think and learn differently from past generations/students as the new technology has affected their lives with the use of Videogames, Computers, Cellphones and such, which has all resulted in the imapct it has on the way their brain function, where he had also labelled the generation that is born between 1980–1994 as the “digital natives” (as cited in Bennett, Maton, & Kervin, 2008)
Singularity
Have you heard of the term Singularity? Neither have I, but as I was reading articles regarding digital natives, Prensky (2001) mentioned and defined the term stating that it is basically the spread of digital technology in the 2oth century. The reason this term was brought up, was because kids are now using technology at a young age, where they allow themselves to grow up and function via the techniques and tools used within that technology. Through the use of technology, they are learning to process information, communicate, and think outside of the box. They start to realise that technology is evolved around them including the use of computers, iPads, mobile phones, Videogames, YouTube, Snapchat and so on.

Let’s focus on Snapchat for a sec and its new features (Bitmoji, filters, and facetime option). The filters indicate the use of other objects and understanding that it is not real but using them is fun and satisfying. Bitmoji is the creation of characters, where users create themselves and use that identity (Bitmoji or image) to present themselves on Snapchat. SO MUCH FUN! Oh and let’s and Facetime, what a wonderful way to communicate with your friends and family on Snapchat. This is all part of technology that kids are using nowadays where they discover new things everyday.
Do Digital Natives exist? I think they do. Technology is constantly developing around us, and the new generations are adapting to the use of it and learning differently from preveious generations.
References
Bennett S., Maton, K., & Kervin, L. (2008). The “Digital Natives” Debate: A Critical Review of the Evidence. British Journal of Educational Technology, 39(5), 775–786.
Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives, digital immigrants part 1. On the Horizon, 9(5), 1–6. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy2.acu.edu.au/docview/214629645?accountid=8194
