Digital Natives versus Digital Immigrants

Introduction

Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants are terms coined by Marc Prensky for use in his articles Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants, Part I and Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants, Part II: Do They Really Think Differently?  While reading these articles, I've come to find out a lot about who I am and who my future students will be.

Digital Natives

Digital Natives are "native speakers" of the new digital world we live in (Prensky, 2001a, p. 1).  All of the students in school today would be considered Digital Natives because they've grown up in a world full of technology.  Because of this, they've been predisposed to learning in spurts and having immediate gratification when it comes to finding answers to their questions.  As future teachers of these students, we have to change our teaching instruction to match the needs of these Digital Natives.

Digital Immigrants

"Those of us who were not born into the digital world but have, at some later point in our lives, become fascinated by and adopted many or most aspects of the new technology" are Digital Immigrants (Prensky, 2001a, pp. 1-2).  Many teachers today would be considered Digital Immigrants.  While technology can be educational and interesting, it can also be a challenge to master; because of this, many established teachers may find it hard to incorporate technology into their lesson plans and daily instruction.

Which one am I?

I consider myself a Digital Native.  Born in the 80's, I was exposed to computers, video games, television, and the Internet at a young age.  I began using a cell phone as soon as it was reasonably affordable--I even remember a $29.99 unlimited talk and text plan back in 2000--and have had one ever since.  When I want to find the answer to something, I don't jot down the question to look up later.  I pull out my cell phone and immediately "google" what I want to find out.


Prensky (2001a) states "Digital Natives are used to receiving information really fast" (p. 2).  This describes the type of person I am and the kind of student I've always been.  I love having the world at my fingertips!  I'm a tech-gadget freak and am always on the prowl for new "toys" that use the latest technology.  Finding answers quickly is very important to me and I feel that these new gadgets help me get things done more efficiently.

Do Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants learn differently?

Simply stated, yes, Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants learn differently.  This is largely because the two have grown up in completely different worlds.  Prensky (2001a) states "Digital Immigrant teachers assume that learners are the same as they have always been, and that the same methods that worked for the teachers when they were students will work for their students now" (p. 3).  Sadly, this puts both teachers and students at a disadvantage.  Teachers have students who seem bored and unfocused while students feel that they have teachers who are boring and lectures tend to go in one ear and out the other.


"We now know that brains that undergo different developmental experiences develop differently, and that people who undergo different inputs from the culture that surrounds them think differently" (Prensky, 2001b, p. 3).  This quote goes to show just how much of a difference that culture--including things like technology and lifestyle--make a huge difference in the way that the brain works.

Why are Web 2.0 technologies more effective for digital learners?

Web 2.0 technologies are more effective for digital learners because they address the learning styles, high-speed demand, and visual needs that are intrinsic to Digital Natives.  Web 2.0 technologies provide students with ways to create and share their work, whether in groups or as individuals.  Digital Natives can find research tools, collaborative tools, drawing tools, and graphing tools to aid them in their school work without leaving them bored or uninterested.  Web 2.0 technologies will definitely keep students engaged and motivated in the learning process. 

How can you teach digital learners effectively in your classroom? 

As teachers, we have to be aware of the changes in needs of today's students.  Prensky (2001b) states "The cognitive differences of the Digital Natives cry out for new approaches to education with a better--fit" (p. 5).  This means we need to include technology, such as Web 2.0, into the classroom as much as possible.  We can present information in digital presentations using Slideshare, pull up information found on in Internet using Info Please and share it with students, and allow students to play educational games to grasp concepts.  As long as we try to incorporate technology into the classroom, we will see it's benefits and continue to do so.

Conclusion

I'm excited to include technology into my future classroom.  I grew up with very little technology in the classroom; actually, it was limited to playing the Oregon Trail on an old Apple computer.  Teachers used chalkboards and chalk for the most part, but sometimes incorporated an overhead projector.  In the classrooms I see today, I usually see whiteboards, dry-erase markers, and digital projectors.  I've even seen touch projection screens and computers for each and every student.  I hope to find a school that embraces technology and tries to fulfill the needs of today's Digital Native students.

References

Prenksy, M. (2001a). Digital natives, digital immigrants. On the Horizon, 9(5), 1-6. Retrieved from http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf

Prenksy, M. (2001b). Digital natives, digital immigrants, part II: Do they really think differently? On the Horizon, 9(5), 1-6. Retrieved from http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part2.pdf

DISCLAIMER: This blog is an assignment for an Interdisciplinary Studies course at National University. It is not a real blog.