TY - CHAP

T1 - Catering to the Needs of the "Digital Natives" or Educating the "Net Generation"?

A1 - Ryberg,Thomas

A1 - Dirckinck-Holmfeld,Lone

A1 - Jones,Chris

AU - Ryberg,Thomas

AU - Dirckinck-Holmfeld,Lone

AU - Jones,Chris

PB - IGI global

CY - Hershey, PA

PY - 2010

Y1 - 2010

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - web 2.0

KW - Uddannelse

KW - web 2.0

KW - Education

UR - http://www.igi-global.com/book/web-based-learning/40272

U2 - 10.4018/978-1-60566-294-7.ch016

DO - 10.4018/978-1-60566-294-7.ch016

SN - 9781605662947

BT - Web 2.0-Based E-Learning: Applying Social Informatics for Tertiary Teaching

T2 - Web 2.0-Based E-Learning: Applying Social Informatics for Tertiary Teaching

A2 - McLoughlin,Catherine

ED - McLoughlin,Catherine

SP - 301

EP - 318

ER -