Despite the skills of the ‘tech savvy’ students in her class in Geelong, Australia, Kathleen McGeady is cautious about describing them in Marc Prensky’s terms as ‘Digital Natives’.

Although Jewel Topsfield from The Age, who spent a day watching them blog, Skype and collaborate using web tools, described them as such (http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/digital-natives-restless-20100820-1390k.html), Kathleen is more circumspect.

She says:

‘We cannot assume that just because children are growing up with these technologies that they use them or use them well, creatively and safely. The role of the teacher in guiding technology use is more important now than ever.’

Read more of Kathleen’s views here (http://primarytech.globalteacher.org.au/2010/08/22/article-are-digital-natives-restless)

What do you think? Is this the case?

I think in my experience, it is. But then should we expect more of our teachers? Should ICT skills be an absolute first-line requirement for ALL teachers to have? Is ICT the new fundamental literacy?

Love to have your own thoughts and experiences…

@admin [+]October 1st, 2010, 13:30