For Your First Discussion Board Post You Will Need To Answer
For Your First Discussion Board Post You Will Need To Answer The Foll
For your first discussion board post, you will need to answer the following questions thoroughly and thoughtfully in order to earn the full 20 points. The discussion post should be at least 300 words; if you need to, type your response out on a Word doc, then copy and paste your response into the discussion forum. Each response should be at least two-three sentences long. After reading “Digital Natives, Yet Strangers to the Web” by Alia Wong, answer the following questions in detail: What is Wong’s overall argument? What are you being asked to believe, think, or do? Provide a quote that illustrates her argument. After reading her entire article, what part was the most convincing? Why? Provide a quote. On the contrary, after reading Wong’s article, which part was the most confusing or least convincing? Why? Provide a quote. Lastly, based on your understanding of audience (as we briefly discussed in class on Tuesday), who do you believe Wong is trying to persuade? Who is likely reading an article about technology in education?
Paper For Above instruction
Alia Wong’s article “Digital Natives, Yet Strangers to the Web” explores the paradox surrounding a generation often assumed to be inherently adept with digital technology. Her primary argument is that despite growing up immersed in digital environments, many young people lack critical digital skills and understanding necessary to navigate the web effectively and responsibly. Wong contends that the label of “digital native” is misleading, as familiarity with social media or entertainment platforms does not equate to digital literacy or a profound understanding of online safety, privacy, and information evaluation.
Wong emphasizes that educators, parents, and policymakers must reconsider assumptions about youth’s digital competence. She states, “Growing up using the internet doesn’t automatically make someone a savvy digital user—in fact, many young people lack basic skills necessary for safe and productive web navigation” (Wong, 2019). This quote encapsulates her overarching argument that digital exposure does not translate to digital literacy, urging a reevaluation of how we perceive and teach digital skills.
The most convincing part of Wong’s article is her discussion of research showing that young people often struggle to judge the credibility of online sources. She highlights, “Many students distrust information online, yet they feel unprepared to discern fact from fiction” (Wong, 2019). This evidence illustrates a significant gap in digital literacy, making her argument compelling because it challenges the assumption that growing up online means being inherently skilled at handling digital information.
Conversely, the most confusing aspect of Wong’s article was her brief mention of “digital literacy curricula” without elaborating on what effective programs entail or how they can be implemented. She notes, “We need better education strategies,” but leaves the specifics vague. The quote, “It’s not just about having access; it’s about knowing how to use access responsibly,” (Wong, 2019) feels somewhat abstract without concrete examples, making this part less convincing.
Considering audience, Wong appears to be trying to persuade educators, policymakers, and parents who influence how young people learn about and interact with technology. Her tone suggests she aims to motivate these stakeholders to adopt more comprehensive digital literacy education, recognizing that familiarity with devices does not guarantee digital competence. It is likely that readers of her article are individuals involved in education or parental roles who are interested in improving how youth are prepared for digital life.
References
Wong, A. (2019). Digital natives, yet strangers to the web. The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2019/02/digital-natives-yet-strangers-web/582251/