Digital+Nation-Sarah+&+Amy

= =

By Alex, Sarah, and Amy
OVERVIEW: Young people are learning very differently than the generations before them. The world is literally at their finger tips and access to information is beyond easy. Technology is a involved in almost everything that a young person does these days. Video games are now educational, computers are not just in the computer lab but personal laptops are carried around, and research for papers doesn't require a card catalog. Here, we review how technology has changed learning and maybe the consequences of this new found attachment.

Amy: I can wait until the last minute to do a research paper and still find tons, almost an overload, of information pertaining to my subject of interest. Current technology wasn't always present in my life (I used a typewriter when I was young), but now I don't think I would be able to learn without it. I use Blackboard at college to view/download any file. I upload my projects instead of turning in a physical copy. Any question I have can be easily "Googled" and answered in under five minutes.
 * Research Starts from Lived Experience:**

Alex: In my life, I learned very early how to use digital technology as a a crutch and a shortcut for doing my school work. With a few clicks of a mouse I was able to research any topic in enough depth for my paper to write itself. It seemed as if sometimes, my grade depended upon my ability to utilize the internet rather than my ability to critically think and come up with creative ideas. Whether this is a good or bad thing, I am on able to determine. On one hand im sure I have stunted my mental growth by finding a tool to do the work for me. On the other hand, I have learned to affective utilize the most powerful tool in our generation; the internet.

Sarah: Back when I was in middle school, I remembered I had to go to the library to look for any information for a project or paper. Since I didn't have a computer, it wasn't very convenient for me to go to the free library all the time. Now, I have like 3 computers sitting at home and I can grab information at the touch of a keyboard. Technology made everything so much easier especially when I have like 3 or 4 papers due all together.


 * Research Questions**

How do young people learn through technologies?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of learning with technologies nowadays?

Are young people aware of ethics using information from the web?


 * Keyword Search**

Learning, Technology, and Youth

1. Weiss, I., Kramarski, B., & Talis, S. (2006). Effects of multimedia environments on kindergarten children’s mathematical achievements and style of learning. //Educational Media International//, //43//(1), 3-17. Retrieved from the Academic Search Premier database.
 * Database Search**

This article basically talks about studies that researchers have done on kindergarten students. They wanted to know whether using computers or different learning styles would affect young students' mathemathical learning.

2. Ferguson, Sue. (2005). How Computers are Making our Kids Stupid. //Maclean's, v.118 (23),// p. 24-30.

Children's dependency on techonologies, specifically computers, is impeding their learning and social (face-to-face interaction) skills and also leads tp compulsive behavior.

3. Song, Jung A. (2000). //The N-Generation:young people are taking to the internet in droves to create a whole new world of business and politics. Far Eastern Economic Review. v 163,// p 46.

Young people are growing up online and businesses are trying to conform to the youth's way of thinking. Youths online involvement also has effects on politics and results of the polls.


 * Research Methodology**

To collect the most accurate information on our topic we would use two different research methodologies. Those being a survey and an experiment.

Survey: The survey that we would like to hold would be questions on how much digital technology people were exposed to and at what age did this exposure start. We feel that the amount of exposure at a young age would correlated with dependency upon technology later in life.

Experiment: The experiment that we would hold would incorporate the information from the survey. We separate people into groups based on age and exposure to digital technology. The people who were exposed to a lot at a young age, and who use technology religiously would be in one group, and the people who were not exposed at a young age and who arent as avid of users would be in the next. We would have both groups complete a critical thinking task.