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Our Students Are Digital Natives

How are we adapting learning design to meet their needs?

Main message: In 5 traits of a digital native, Nathan Bracy describes digital natives as “those that were born into the age of the Internet. They're indigenous to the digital world of today one and they share a natural comfort with all things technology.” He goes on to describe five features of their learning."

Line of inquiry: How do we address the needs of digital natives - our students? How should we as teachers be designing learning experiences to appeal to our students who are digital natives?

5 caharacteristics of digital natives

  • We’re intuitive learners: digital natives are comfortable with most platforms and types of technology and when they can't figure it out, they prefer to figure it out intuitively before referring to the manual.

    How are we designing learning experiences to appeal to these intuitive learners?

    As teachers to what extent do we embrace new technological trends?

    To what extent do we employ social media and the smart tools to enhance the learning experience?

  • Our ability to multitask is enhanced: digital natives need a system to stay organised and then follow that system - they also like to prioritise.

    Which approaches to learning skills do our students most require?

    What tools can we encourage our students to use to manage their multi-tasking, keep focussed and organised?

  • We are social: digital natives interact and connect online - either snap a pic and post and adapt quickly to new technology.

    To what extent do we ask students to work collaboratively (as opposed to by themselves)?

    How can we use technology to nurture collaboration?

    What about assessment: is this an individual activity or social? Why?

  • We lack patience: digital natives are used to instant gratification so cannot wait but sometimes this helps them explore new websites, tech platforms as they move onto something they don't want to wait around for.

    Consider how we design learning experiences: are the instructions easy to navigate?

    Are hyperlinks and documents built into the platform or do students have to click in and out?

    How do we design self-paced learning? Is the learning design intuitive?

  • We feel empowered by the Internet: digital natives are entrepreneurs with start-ups, apps and when connecting with other professionals, active in online community, engage with like-minded people and allow collaboration.

    How can we use the Internet to enable students to connect and work collaboratively?

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