What is a Web Browser & Why Can't I Change the Wiki ?

In my hope to have students, especially distance students, participate in group projects I spent dozens of man hours creating an “academic site” for my students this semester to use and utilize online tools such as a “wiki”.

While I was not naïve in thinking all would go smoothly, I have been naïve in assuming “digital natives” may need help in recognizing how browser technology works.  To help students (esp. distance students) this semester, I’ve emphasized the preference to call me or text me so that we can work together on any technological kinks.

What I am finding is there are some simple “digital native” assumptions that I have imbued and obviously need to rethink the normality of a digital native.

1-Web browsers.

A brow (frames the eye); a web browser is the frame for your web page.   Many “brands” of web browser’s exist, the link for this post provide a lengthy accounting.

2-Intranet versus Extranet

When at work, it is a private – internal networking of computers sending stuff, data, emails, etc. back and forth.  It is important to keep company information confidential; these are usually contained within a private network or private intranet.

Being in “Blackboard”, or, using accessing Blackboard with your university of choice, is the same as being at an employer’s place of business. This is a private network.

Any time you want to ‘click’ and follow a ‘link’ in a Blackboard, it is important to be consciously aware if your ‘browser’ is still using Blackboard as the frame for your page.  If so, you are still within a private, locked down, secure area.

Many web pages outside this private area, will not work.

3-Can’t Open Document

Sometimes I run into this issue myself as well.  On a completely different subject, unrelated to web browsers, private networks, browsing discussed above, I have found that about 10-15% of digital natives appear to need assistance with “file types”. File types give you a good indication of what application you may need to open the file. A .docx for example is usually an indication of an MSWord 2007 XML type file. 

An easy solution is usually to a) determine what type of application is needed to open and b) go the home page for that application and find support for Free Downloads to READ ONLY the file you need to open.

My hope is this lengthy post becomes helpful not only to my students, but to other students, digital natives (and digital immigrants) equally.  Regards, Prof. T