Written by 
I met with a new class of doctoral students tonight for the first time. We were discussing a Web-based survey project they’ll be working on and I told them that I expected them to use Google Docs to work together. After getting some blank stares, I decided to ask how many of them knew about Google Docs. How many hands do you think were raised? ZERO. Not one! Really? 20 educators, some in powerful leadership positions, all well into their doctoral program, and not one had ever heard of Google Docs?!?!?!?!
Harumph )-:
Why does that make them inferior? Sure, Google Docs is a great collaborative service, but it is not the only one. There are many great educators, I am sure, that have not heard of or do not use Google Docs. Why the “Harumph )-:” ?
My grad students always amaze me with how unconnected and unknowledgeable they are about new technologies (and older ones as well). They fall into the age category of digital natives, but they are not for the most part. They look at me as I show them new tools as some sort of technological magician. No joke. To their credit, they seem to pick up the new tools fairly quickly. However, the experiences that they bring with them into class are as traditional as ever. We have a great deal of work to do, don’t we.
On the first point, I don’t see where I said they were inferior in any way. They may very well be wonderful educators; I don’t know them yet. I was simply bemoaning the fact that they don’t even know about a service that I’m certain could add value to their lives. So, if it’s possible to be better than a wonderful educator, then they can get there. (BTW, since then, I’ve learned that they don’t even know the bare basics of MS EXCEL!).
So, then, to your last point, yes, there’s work to be done!