Learning Theories Wiki

DIGITAL NATIVES, DIGITAL IMMIGRANTS

Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants by Marc Prensky, explores the relationship and differences between the generations, while considering the challenges facing our education system due to the technology that separates the two.

Plus

Ø  Prensky establishes behavioural differences between a Digital Native and a Digital Immigrant via their “accent” – (DI) turning to the internet for information second rather than first.

Ø  Digital Immigrants socialised differently.  I find this to be an extreme positive as it expresses human growth and allows for collaborative learning between generations.  It’s these connective learning experiences that are responsible for future cures and new theories etc.

Ø  “Legacy” content is still important and Prensky captures this.  No matter how much we progress with technology developing new ways of learning our basic cognitive skills are still crucial in our primitive stages.

Minus

Ø  Students’ brains and thinking patterns have physically changed.  While there’s no concrete proof, in relation to whether students’ brains have physically changed or not, it is certain their thinking patterns have.  With this in mind, a change of methodology would seem appropriate to accommodate the multiple intelligences and learning styles. 

Ø  Think and process information fundamentally differently from their predecessors.  Considering the various forms of technology today and how scholars engage in these forms of learning tools is not necessarily constructive education.  The digital natives due to current trends are failing to learn the basics like spelling, calculations and on some levels verbal communication.  These skills are being replaced with shorthand texting, computers and online correspondence.

Ø  Immigrants accepting natives new language is certainly going to be a certainty.  However not teaching the digital natives the language the Immigrants were raised on is simply allowing society to continue to become lazier as the generations move forward.  Digital Immigrants are already conforming to the “new language” of the digital generation.  I just don’t believe in the whole of society changing to suit one minority.

Interesting

Ø  Future content could in the form Prensky is discussing, by far be the death of the Digital Immigrants as we know them.  Not to mention make a mockery out of our education system.  Its one thing to include computers in our school’s for learning tools, but to create video games as a way for the digital natives to learn in the future is absolutely absurd.  If this is ever introduced then when does it stop?  Will they be granted video games when they enter the workforce in order to understand their position and complete the task at hand?  I think not.  So why not learn the techniques at school that will prepare you for the workforce, university or trades?  In my opinion with the term “Edutainment” Prensky went too far.  The emphasis is on the Digital Natives enjoying learning rather than actually being educated or achieving something that is life long out of it.

Prensky is clearly pro Digital Natives and reshaping our education system around them, as well as the technological advances.  Personally I’m supportive in respect to including technology as a major advancement in our education system.  I also believe Digital Natives need to see a fresh approach to current teaching trends.  However, I still believe in the importance of learning and therefore find education should remain just that, education.  Not a video game or a song to be learnt.  It should be knowledge to be read, studies and assessed just as these Digital Natives would be at university, tafe or workforce levels.  They need to be learning skills now in preparation for their life long learning.

REFERENCE:

Prensky, Marc. (October 2001). 'Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants', in MCB University press, Vol. 9 No. 5. Retrieved March 11, 2011, from http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf.