May--Online+Discussion

a. Chapter 10 talks about the Net Geners volunteering in record numbers to tackle some of the world's most difficult problems, i.e. poverty, global warming, etc. Do you see this happening in the Net Gener community of your peers or children? Tell about a student or person you know who is doing this. **  I see many students (high school and college) who are spending a lot of time volunteering within the local community and their church. I don’t see them trying to tackle larger global issues, such as global warming, but they are trying to make a difference in the community. I have witnessed a few trying to work for social justice such as poverty and hunger. Through my work at Augustana, I have met a wonderful student who really is striving to make the world a better place. She is a leader on campus, and she works for social justice. This year along, she spends many hours volunteering for campus ministry and reaching out to students to welcome them to chapel ministries. Globally, she organized and lead a campus/community fundraiser to raise money to be used for clean water in third world countries. ** b. On p. 280 it states "Technology is influencing the way kids think, and the way kids think is influencing how they use and shape the Internet and every institution in society." Do you see this happening? Why or why not? **   I certainly think that this is happening. As read in previous chapters, technology is changing the function of the digital brain and therefore changes the way kids use technology. I also think that the use and growth of the internet and technology functions like economics. As consumers/users change, they demand that the product/technology/internet change to meet their needs. Choose __two__ of the 10 Dark Side Issues and defend or disagree with what Tapscott wrote. 1. The Dumbest Generation? ** 3. Are They Giving Up Their Privacy? 4. Are They Coddled? Do They Lack Independence? **  I see both sides to the argument. I think students-aged net generations often become coddled by helicopter parents. When they do not get their way (especially in school—academics, athletics, arts), parents often swoop in and fight to make the situation go in favor of the student. This proves to be a problem for students. However, having worked multiple years with college-aged students, a tremendous shift occurs during the college years. This shift helps to build independence and reduce the amount of coddling. From personal experience, the increase in college expenses leaves college graduates with burdensome debt. I feel lucky to have been able to spend a year with my parents after graduating, trying to live on a first-year teacher salary. More than the financial benefits, being at home allowed me to focus my energies on my teaching career and building the successful music program I did—I don’t think I could have done this if I was concerned with the details of “daily living.” I feel that this transition period of living at home allows for greater independence later and promotes a stronger, healthier connection to family. 6. Does It Encourage Bullying? **  Bullying continues to be problem for youth. I think that the way bullying occurs has changed to include digital methods, but technology has not causes an increase. Technology has changed the way bullies interact with their victims and with each other. I think that because cyber-bullying leaves a permanent trail, it allows for victims to seek retribution and has increased public awareness of the problem, which hopefully will result in increases education and a decrease in incident. 8. Does the Net Gen Have a Misguided Sense of Entitlement and a Bad Work Ethic? 9. Are They Narcissistic? 10. What About Their Values? Do They Just Want to Be Rich and Famous? **  I think that all generations have changed the world for better and worse. I agree with Tapscott that we cannot mark one generation better or worse over another generation. I believe progress and change can be good, and I hope that the changes of the net generation are good. We have seem significant advances in medicine, communication, and technology. However, I think that we have seen ethics and moral decision-making keep up with these advances. This is where I think the net generation has not proven to advancing for the better. What I enjoyed most about reading “Grown Up Digital” was comparing myself and my peers to the norms that Tapscott presented. It was also interesting to compare them to other generations—such as my parents or other teachers I work with. Reading “Grown Up Digital” has helped me to not rethink the use of technology in the classroom, but instruction as a whole and working with students.
 * 1. Discuss with your Group Chapter 10 - "Making the World a Better Place --At Ground Level"
 * 2. Discuss with your Group Chapter 11 - "In Defense of the Future"
 * 2. Screen Addicted? Losing Social Skills
 * 5. Does the Internet Encourage Youth to Steal? Are They Cheaters?
 * 7. Does It Incite Youth Violence?
 * 3. How do you think the Net Gens will change the world? Will it be better or will it be worse? **
 * 4. Did you enjoy reading //Grown Up Digital//? **