The New Digital Divide

While the old Digital Divide that has to do with race and class still exists, there is definitely a new divide happening inside teens' homes and at school…with their parents and teachers. As I move forward in planning and thinking about my book, it's this new reality that reminds me of the need for it.

I found this article (via Susan Mernit's blog) about Gen Y's "Digital Natives" (teens who have been born and raised with the Internet and digital technology) in the classroom, and the challenges this presents to teachers. Mainly the debate over whether they should teach in opposition to their multi-tasking tech-savvy students and force them to focus, use books, etc., or whether they should adopt and integrate popular technology into the classroom in ways that are consistent with how teens are using technology outside of school.

From the article:

"New research also suggests that brains can be trained to multitask. A study conducted by Monica Luciana, associate professor of psychology at the University of Minnesota (published in Child Development, May/June 2005) found the brain's ability to effectively self-organize competing information remains in the developmental process until 16 or 17 years of age. Perhaps the digital generation has developed multitasking prowess beyond that of its parents."

The Argus Leader also did a story about parents struggling to keep up with their multi-tasking tech-savvy teens and often end up feeling inadequate. So inadequate they are actually seeking counseling to deal with the Divide.

From the article:

"Rebecca Weingarten, an educational counselor and life coach, has a growing number of clients who seek advice on how to handle their tech-savvy children.

The cases range from a mother who can't get her 4-year-old to part with a video game to parents overwhelmed by their teenagers' technology.

'Imagine if you raised a child in the U.S. and they came home from school speaking a language you've never heard of,' Weingarten says.

'That's how it feels (for) too many parents with their children being so Net- and tech-savvy. There's a sense of inadequacy. Some parents feel like they have to know everything or they're not a good parent.'

For as much as $200 an hour, Weingarten coaches clients on how to handle the situations, such as taking computer classes with their children."

The big question is: Should parents and teachers be forced to immerse themselves in these technologies in order to better understand what teens are doing? If they don't, will they be left behind? My answer to both would be yes (let your teens teach YOU). As for how tech is used in the classroom — I think there will be a lot of trial and error, some lame uses of blogs, etc. before teachers figure out what works.

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