Glossary
Webkinz: Toy stuffed animals that come with a unique secret code that allows access to the Webkinz World Web site, where the user owns a virtual version of the pet for online interaction.
Digital native: A person raised in a technological environment who accepts that environment as the norm, and who often has grown up surrounded by digital devices, such as mp3 players and cell phones, and regularly uses these devices to interact with other people and the outside world.
Sources: Wikipedia.org, DigitalNative.org
Discussion Questions
1. Is Dana typical of kids in your community? Why, or why not?
2. Technology is just an ordinary part of Dana's family life. Is this true for you and the kids you know?
3. Dana is very enthusaistic about the virtual world Webkinz. What do you think she's getting out of the experience?
4. Dana's parents give her a lot of freedom to explore online, and ask her to talk to them about anything that is inappropriate. Is this practice similar to Internet-use policies in your school or home?
5. Dana's mom defines literacy as "the combination of the visual, the oral, and the interactivity." What implications does this definition have for teaching and learning?
Comments (1)
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The Invention of the Future
Dana proves to the viewers of her video that with technology people and students are able to show knowledge that would otherwise not exist without the proper tools. I am completely in astonishment at what children in today's light are able to navigate through on a computer. My students love technology, but more importantly like Dana, my students love to research and play appropriate age level activites. Our students of today are the new tomorrow, lets see what all the students are able to add to the table!