Digital Age Learners

These theories make more sense then other theories I have heard in the past. When I was younger I can remember several of my classmates who had been labeled ADD and had to take medication everyday at multiple times. I can also remember many of them having bad reactions to the medication. When I got older I felt that ADD was over diagnosed and over medicated. I still feel that in many cases that ADD is over diagnosed but there has been much improvement. But after reading this theory that it is the fact of a changing world of technology is why many students appear to have ADD when they might just be learning and interacting the way that is best for them, it makes much more sense then ADD is just rapidly growing for no reason. The differences in learning are much different then those of our parents and the generations around there. Today's learners are digital natives and they want everything at their fingertips. they are multitaskers and want everything in an instant. Where in previous generations it was more one at a time and everything was done by hand and not by computers. To help these digital learners we need to teach to the way that they learn and not the way that we like to learn. Trying to use computers as often as possible in the classroom, and giving assignments that are geared towards what is helpful for them will help these kids.

The Digital Divide

"how can you design meaningful homework assignments that take into account who do not have access to computers or high-speed Internet at home?"

Having been there before I personally don't think that I will assign many homework assignments that require internet research outside of the classroom. Since most schools have computers in their library that have Internet access that are availiable for the student to use, I think that if I do give out assignments that require Internet access or research that I will provide time in class us to visit the library and gather information there, then as a homework assignment use the information from class to either create an artwork or handwritten essay to turn in either the following day or specified due date.