Monday, May 14, 2012

Digital Natives

Students texting a writing assignment

"Silence speaks the truth."
Rylee Breed

     In 2001 Marc Prensky coined the term Digital Native, describing people born into the digital age. In the article Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants, he says, "Our students have changed radically. Today's students are no longer the people our educational system was designed to teach." You can read the article by clicking here.

     The world is changing daily and keeping pace can be challenging. Last week I gave an assignment that, in my twenty years of teaching, I had never given. Here is the assignment:

In one sentence, text to my cell phone something on your mind.


     This is what I received:



Hello.

Like a sumbodee.
Dumdee.
Ellis.
I signed up for a golf camp last night for summer time in jupiter island florida and im happy i get to go and play golf with a bunch of pros.
Jessica is a sweet woman.
Waffles are yummy.
Nuttin can change God's love 4 me!
Bunny pot pie me gusta.
Sometimes i paint myself orange lay out in the front yard and pretend i'm a carrot.
We all need to be told that we're good enough. Today tell somone that they are amazing. It can make all the difference. “Unless someone like you cares a whole aweful lot, nothing is ever going to get better, its not.” Dr. Seuss.
What did the 0 say to the 8. Nice belt.
With the way government controls is heading, I would not be surprised if the US became the next USSR.
If the church needs evidence that gays are born gay, then why do they say that you dont need proof to know god.
Gay people should have the right to marry.
Yellow teeth and grey hair.
Best teacher ever Mr. Carter. I like Krispy Cream donuts. Hamburgers.
The purple pickled people eater pinched the pepper on peter's popsicle, piercing the parakeet's powerful pancreas.
Poptarts.
Im scared of not making all A's. I was it so bad and i've worked really hard for it. I'll probably cry if i don't... but i'll probable cry if i do too haha.
I'm thinking of ideas for skins to make. I'm also brainstorming ideas for modifications to program over the summer. I'm also planning my day.
You are the best! I love your class:) Thanks!
I had no idea I was the top creative writing student.
Hah oh sweet.
Hello.

  Fixed in time is a digital record of the collective thoughts of a High School Creative Writing class. I thought I try again, this time choosing a topic.


Text Assignment #2- Text to my phone your response to: Love is...

Here is the response, in the order I received-

Love is
a point of view
an opinion
a perception
bread
bread is love
goats
love always ends with heartbreak
a big ol' hug \(^-^)/
Gravitation cannot be held responsible for people
falling in love.”
love is amazing
luv will conquer all
me being a carrot
a delicious sausage
rainbows, baby pandas
love is human nature
wonderful
when will likes bacon
something to love
dogs, especially dachsunds
Love is
both wonderful and horrible
poached parakeet pancreas
my girlfriend
every human hearts desire
unbelievably complicating.

Texted to my phone May 10, 2012 
     

My phone