Are the NET Geners NET Savvy?

I suspect many of you already have discovered the answer to this blog's question. For those of you who haven't, read on Macduff.
We already know that your students have grown up with the technology; their familiarity with most forms of electronic gadgetry is second nature. They have spent their entire lives surrounded by all of the toys and tools of the digital age (Carlson, 2005). The technology affects everything they do and buy. They expect information to be at their fingertips.
However, (WARNING: Here it comes. Watch out!) they are not necessarily “net savvy” (Lorenzo & Dziuban, 2006). They are exposed to tons of information, but lack an understanding of how to find, evaluate, use, and present that information. They need to be taught information literacy and strong critical thinking skills (Oblinger & Hawkins, 2006; Rockman & Associates, 2004). These deficiencies should be addressed in some way by your institution and in your teaching.
As noted in a previous blog, a digital divide exists based on machine vintage, connectivity, online skills, autonomy and freedom of access, computer support, and interest in using the technology (Hawkins & Oblinger, 2006; Oblinger, 2008a). For those students who are neither tech nor net savvy due to class, nationality, or other factors that limit access, special instruction or training sessions should be provided to give them opportunities to be brought up to the same level of their more proficient peers.

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