tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-618066295420401291.post4354420246390841794..comments2024-02-12T11:02:41.752+00:00Comments on An Independent Head: The challenge of teaching "Digital Natives"Mark S. Steedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14553896714267081021noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-618066295420401291.post-13532699315227915382009-02-03T11:37:00.000+00:002009-02-03T11:37:00.000+00:00So many of the “challenges” mentioned here arise f...So many of the “challenges” mentioned here arise from young people thinking they know how to use the internet & IT/multi-media tools when what they actually know is how to use them technically. Researching on the internet is no different to researching the old fashioned way in books & journals – you still have to question the reliability of the source, identify the key information & be aware of how you can re-use material, both effectively & legally. If young people, & old, know this then the internet can be a very valuable research tool, if they don’t it can downright dangerous! Do we do enough to ensure young people know this? Do we really penalise plagiarism & reward novelty? <BR/><BR/>Multi-media offers a new range of exciting tools to capture attention & disseminate information but all too often people focus on the image of the work rather than the content. Adults are just as guilty of this – think of the overuse, & misuse, of powerpoint in some companies. These issues are particularly important as the use of IT & multi-media technologies move into every subject of the curriculum. Ultimately, we must ensure young people are taught to focus on what has to be communicated & why. If we do they will make much better choices about the how to do it. If they focus on the how they risk losing the “what” & the “why”.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-618066295420401291.post-78061600667712438272009-01-11T23:41:00.000+00:002009-01-11T23:41:00.000+00:00Looking into the future, assessment looks likely t...Looking into the future, assessment looks likely to be employer-led or even controlled. As a potential future employer, how would you assess candidates? <BR/><BR/>I watched a friend's son complete a challenging data response multiple choice type test to get into a law firm - it was very tough, impossible to complete in the time allotted - quick judgements had to be made (each problem had about 8 possible answers so luck could hardly play a part). If carried out under “exam” conditions, it would be a really useful test for identifying a potential employee. <BR/><BR/>Already we have the scenario where candidates are thrown together as a group and asked to prepare a multi-media presentation perhaps pitching for an advertising account, or potential journalists having to produce an on-line article showing their internet search abilities, or hopeful bankers “playing the stockmarket” …….. <BR/><BR/>So how would you prepare students for these types of assessments? Is there a future for national assessments such as the A Level? Schooling without formal assessment? Now, there’s an attractive thought! The mind boggles.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18037148595653049212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-618066295420401291.post-46674717751035071012009-01-11T20:17:00.000+00:002009-01-11T20:17:00.000+00:00I think that OCR have grasped the issue you raise ...I think that OCR have grasped the issue you raise rather well with their new A level Media Studies specification. Given the heavy bias towards digital creativity in this subject, students are required now to maintain a blog, detailing their work, and to submit a digital evaluation of their coursework. This could be a DVD with extras (so, for example, a director's commentary, that explains how and why key decisions were made), a podcast, or the filming of a presentation that utilises multimedia presentation aids.<BR/><BR/>There are the critics, naturally, who see this is as further evidence of 'dumbing' down. However, if you ask the students who undertake these projects what they think, they'll tell you that to plan, produce and distribute content, while working in a team, presents a challenging set of criteria. <BR/><BR/>Additionally, it's worth remembering that such students are studying Media in conjunction with other subjects.<BR/><BR/>As you note in your post, the world of work and higher education has more these days to do with the intelligent use of ICT, than it does with paper and pen.<BR/><BR/>I have noticed this year that the number of students coming to my department and asking to borrow a camcorder or Podcasting kit has increased. I believe this is because (a) this is the technology they know and they'd like to use it in an educational setting and (b) teachers themselves are coming to realise the numerous benefits inherent in offering digital technology as part of the learning mix.<BR/><BR/>We live, as the Old Testament saying says, in interesting times!Sacha van Stratenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01041060468903643437noreply@blogger.com