Digital Natives or Mobile Natives? Peter Gobel Kyoto Sangyo University Makimi Kano Kyoto Sangyo University

Terminology ‘Digital Native’ -- Prensky (2001) ‘Net Generation’ Tapscott (1998) people born in the digital era, i.e., after ‘Digital Immigrants’ those born prior to the digital era.

Debate Our students have changed radically. Today’s students are no longer the people our educational system was designed to teach. (Prensky, 2001) Are they a distinct generation? Should education change to accommodate them?

Digital Data ‘Facts’ 87.2% of Japanese households have access to a computer 67.1% of households are online over 90% under 50s are online (MIC, 2009) ranking 6th and 18th among the 40 OECD countries respectively (OECD, 2010). Japan --highest mobile phone ownership in the world (Takahashi, 2008); largest number of 3G mobile phone users (MIC, 2009)

Effect of Technology on Learners cognitive skills development socialization academic achievement Effect of Web 2.0

The Hypothetical Gap Digital Natives Digital Immigrants Digital Settlers

Digital Natives and Computer Competency Lee & Raniery, 2010 ‘digital natives’ in China not necessarily digitally competent competence differed depending on school and age competence not significantly influenced by PC ownership, Internet access/use.

Student Learning Preferences Preference for paper-based materials (Jarvis & Szymczyk, 2009)

The Present Study Examine Japanese university students’ use of digital technology academic non-academic settings Examine student preferences digital paper-based

The Questionnaire 75 questions background information familiarity with software and websites use of mobile phones and computers learning preferences

The Respondents 367 students (286+51) 8 faculties (1 Faculty Treated Separately) 250 (203+47) male 87 (83+4) female Mostly Age Half living with family, Half living away from home

The Results

Phone vs. Computer Computer Science

When and Where? Time

Digital Pictures

What do they use? 1:use a lot 2:sometimes 3:know, but don't use 4:don't know Website youtube1.38 yahoo1.52 google1.71 mixi1.87 moodle2.1 amazon2.35 rakuten2.59 twitter2.76 facebook3.05 excite3.52 myspace3.64 Flickr3.71 picasa3.75 Software word2.11 iTunes2.15 excel2.44 skype2.46 powerpoint2.58 mediaplayer2.76 realplayer3.31 openoffice3.56 moviemaker3.56 iMovie3.62 prezi3.63 googledocs3.66

Activities using Phone 1:use a lot 2:sometimes 3:know, but don't use 4:don't know Phone Sending Using bookmarks1.71 Social networking1.9 Checking school info1.95 Listening to music2.07 Using a search engine2.13 Watching movies or TV2.22 Playing games2.33 Downloading music2.4 Editing photos and movies2.46 Research for a report2.53 Online Shopping2.78 Reading books, magazines2.95 Paying for goods3.14 Writing a report3.27

Activities using computer 1:use a lot 2:sometimes 3:know, but don't use 4:don't know Computer Checking school info1.5 Research for a report1.55 Writing a report1.59 Using bookmarks1.63 Watching movies or TV1.66 Using a search engine1.8 Listening to music1.81 Downloading music2.17 Online Shopping2.31 Social networking2.5 Playing games2.59 Editing photos and movies2.63 Sending Reading books, magazines2.9 Paying for goods3.01

Learning Preferences

Conclusion Data supports Helsper & Eynon (2010) rethink ‘digital Native’ assumptions exposure and experience not necessarily key our students are more ‘mobile natives’

conclusions II we need to understand learners to teach them well Digital Education necessary teachers and students may ‘speak the same language’ what about the administration?

Thank you