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Digital Natives or Technologically Illiterate

Updated: Oct 25, 2021

I consistently am working with and for those in their late teens to 20s. An assumption or bias I have been able to analyze lately might be true for you too. I regularly assume that those younger than me know how to use technology better than me. They're easily able to navigate TikTok, Snapchat, other forms of media. They are technology and internet natives. In this frame, I am speaking about how they have always had the internet since they were born. I ask the question "do you know how to (insert technology internet task)?" The look I get back is the moment after you drop your coffee on the ground. You sit and look blank, dumbstruck. Unfortunately, that is the look I get in response when I ask my question.


Well shit.


I remember taking an intro to computers class. Being required to use “learn how to type” programs and how god awful I was at it. I had no motivation for it. Once AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) came around, I would be typing with friends all the time. Very quickly my speed picked up. I had a reason to be motivated to try to use and understand computers and the internet overall. I think my story is pretty similar regarding people in their late 20s or 30s. Often times when I work with students they have different understandings of technology and social norms.


Student: “Hey, can I get your Snapchat so we can do that instead of email or a call?”.

Me: “No, I really can't actually, I don't think that would be an approved method that the school that I work at would want us to interact in.”


As an educator, I cannot assume students know how to use technology.


Side Note: I'm really curious what it looks like now for students that are in K through 12 system. Any of my K through 12 education peeps, especially those that teach technology or computers class. Lord are they even called that anymore? Reach out to me at LinkedIn or Twitter


A common saying after graduating high school/college: “I was never taught how to do my taxes, I was never taught how to write a check, I never was taught how about how 401k/retirement accounts work.” Okay, I hear that. I never learned that in school either. I can see that that is an issue. I do not have an answer to all of these questions. What I can advocate for and answer is what we should teach students in regards to technology. Students are supposed to understand and be trained how to navigate the digital work landscape after school. Email, video messaging, basic computer filing/digital literacy must be addressed.


This is oftentimes not the case. On the regular, I have to show students how to write an email, and what is acceptable and how this email isn't a text overall. For the love of god use paragraphs, say thank you, especially if you are asking for something. I fully acknowledge that there are different social norms that have progressed from working moving to being full-time adults. What's acceptable, what's not in the workplace, and what that looks like is totally understandable. This is not a rant article or how students are in the “wrong”. In regards not even knowing to check their email or to look at it though? Is the system trash? Is it an archaic system even though they are digital native? When having interactions with them, they still seem not to know how technology works. A phrase that I really hated, “I'm not good at computers” has really gone out the window since remote and hybrid work arrived. I appreciate this greatly. If you say that they're not good at computers. Fat chance trying to find a job. What I really want to try to hammer home is, what are we teaching students through education. As an educator, I cannot assume students know how to use technology.


Honestly, I do not know at what point I had to start using an email and write it correctly. I was assuming somewhere in undergrad, but I probably had an email address in high school? If I was to really try to go back and look, I doubt they exist anymore. Oof, I hope they don't exist. We have to show as leaders and as educators, that those we work with the how and why of communication regarding technology. The adage of meeting them where they're at is critical, more than ever.


The dialogue must be an actual conversation, not a conversion to what works for you only.

Those younger than us have plenty to teach us in ways in navigating the digital landscape. Anytime I work with a student and I ask them to open up a calendar app, I default to either Outlook or Google. I believe this is just because of me being an adult and working full time, and they'll tell me about four or five other apps that I have no idea about. They have very interesting layouts and user interfaces that have helped me and learn more about who they are as a person. I gain a tool in my belt of understanding. The dialogue must be an actual conversation, not a conversion to what works for you only. More power to them to use apps I am not aware of to manage their time. They may be dominating the market in 5 years. Working with those you supervise or working in as an educator needs to be a synergistic relationship. Don't come at them with a top-down mentality that they have to do things this way or that way. It must be about educating, not hand-holding. It makes the experience and your ability to explain to others that much more fluent and concurrent.


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