Catering to the Needs of the "Digital Natives" or Educating the "Net Generation"?

Publication: ResearchBook chapter

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In this chapter, the authors explore perspectives on the notion of “digital natives” and present a case in which Web 2.0 technologies were introduced to students. They discuss studies critical of the generational metaphor, and argue that it should not be uncritically assumed that there is a generation of digital natives, but that young people may need to develop skills often associated with the digital natives. The authors present a case reflecting these pedagogical aims, involving an online Web 2.0 learning environment called Ekademia. The findings of the case reflect a gap between the researchers’ intentions and the actual outcomes. In particular, the learning environment failed to provide sufficient scaffolding for the students, who needed more support than was assumed. It is therefore suggested that educational use of social software technologies should have stronger connections to curricular activities, involve a more concerted pedagogical effort, and be supported by a higher degree of institutionalization.
Original languageEnglish
TitleWeb 2.0-Based E-Learning: Applying Social Informatics for Tertiary Teaching
EditorsMark J. W. Lee, Catherine McLoughlin
Number of pages17
Place of publicationHershey, PA
PublisherIGI global
Publication date2010
Pages301-318
Chapter16
ISBN (print)9781605662947
ISBN (electronic)9781605662954
DOIs
StatePublished

Keywords

  • web 2.0, Education

ID: 17703321