Do-Right WebQuest for the Digital Age
A Middle School WebQuest
Created by Mrs. Cline, LMC Director, Wood Dale Junior High
Introduction
Marc Prensky, in his article, “Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants,” refers to students college age and younger as “digital natives,” that is, they have literally grow up bilingual, fully immersed in the language and culture of digital technology. In fact, he goes even further, indicating that these youngsters’ brains are developmentally different, that they think and process information differently than previous generations as a result of their repeated and extensive interaction with digital media. The omnipresence of 21st century technology in the lives of young people is further verified by Amanda Lenhart of the Pew Research Center. Her research is clearly presented in her slide show, “How Do [They] Even Do That?” Myths and Facts About the Impact of Technology on the Lives of American Teens. You can view the slide show below. Pay special attention to the age 12-17 category. That’s you! This little bit of background knowledge will set you on course for your Do-Right Webquest for the Digital Age.
The fact that you, as a teenager, spend so much of your life collecting and disseminating information via electronic and digital devices brings with it a special set of rules and responsibilities. Whether you are responding to a teacher’s blog post, uploading a home video to YouTube, updating your Facebook profile, texting a parent about your after school whereabouts, or more likely, texting a friend about a recent piece of gossip, you are responsible for every piece of information you share about yourself or others. Likewise, when you are researching a topic for a class assignment and plan to share your new found knowledge, you are responsible for using school equipment in an appropriate and responsible manner, and for recognizing and giving credit to those sources that have provided you with information. And as a middle school student, it is important that you formally recognize, via a bibliography, any author or creator whose words or ideas are quoted or paraphrased in a finished written, digital, or oral report or presentation. It is also important for you to know that when you create an original work, be it a poem, PowerPoint, a drawing, a photograph, or video, you are entitled to that same respect. You have a right (a “copyright”, that is) to be recognized for your hard work and creativity.
So watch this introductory slide show below, then get ready to find out more about Doing Right in the Digital Age. Click here to download the activity sheet for the Amanda Lenhart slide show.
AMANDA LENHART SLIDE SHOW (2011) http://pewinternet.org/Presentations/2011/Apr/From-Texting-to-Twitter.aspx
To read a brief 2013 update, click here.
To Access Marc Prensky's research article Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants: Do They Really Think Differently?, click here.
The fact that you, as a teenager, spend so much of your life collecting and disseminating information via electronic and digital devices brings with it a special set of rules and responsibilities. Whether you are responding to a teacher’s blog post, uploading a home video to YouTube, updating your Facebook profile, texting a parent about your after school whereabouts, or more likely, texting a friend about a recent piece of gossip, you are responsible for every piece of information you share about yourself or others. Likewise, when you are researching a topic for a class assignment and plan to share your new found knowledge, you are responsible for using school equipment in an appropriate and responsible manner, and for recognizing and giving credit to those sources that have provided you with information. And as a middle school student, it is important that you formally recognize, via a bibliography, any author or creator whose words or ideas are quoted or paraphrased in a finished written, digital, or oral report or presentation. It is also important for you to know that when you create an original work, be it a poem, PowerPoint, a drawing, a photograph, or video, you are entitled to that same respect. You have a right (a “copyright”, that is) to be recognized for your hard work and creativity.
So watch this introductory slide show below, then get ready to find out more about Doing Right in the Digital Age. Click here to download the activity sheet for the Amanda Lenhart slide show.
AMANDA LENHART SLIDE SHOW (2011) http://pewinternet.org/Presentations/2011/Apr/From-Texting-to-Twitter.aspx
To read a brief 2013 update, click here.
To Access Marc Prensky's research article Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants: Do They Really Think Differently?, click here.