Children and young adults of today have a wide range knowledge when it comes to technology. As technology grows day to day the applications that can be used are becoming more accepted and more common as well. However, our parents, grandparents, and teachers currently do not hold the same kind of knowledge as the younger generation. Marc Prensky names the younger generation digital natives, and the older generation digital immigrants. He states that digital natives are, "native speakers of the digital language of computers, video games and the internet." (Prensky, para 5) Digital immigrants are defined as "those who were not born into the digital world" (Prensky, para 6).
Being a part of the digital native category I have grown up and have relied on the internet for everything that I do. From where I work, to the school I attend, to typing everything I need into the Google search engine. I like watching videos and PowerPoint that help me learn rather than reading a text book. Sometimes however I do wish that I had the language and learning abilities of digital immigrants. I have very short knowledge of how to do actual research from library or newspaper articles, and the way I process information I wish could be improved.
Digital Immigrants and Digital natives do have a different way in learning as when they were young and being taught how to learn and process information, they did not have all the television programs we do now, nor did they have the computer capabilities or even computers at all. Most people could not afford to have the little technology that was becoming available. All the research that digital immigrants did in school was from the little resources they had available through their library, or poor films they had to sit to watch through. For us digital natives we've grown up with TV, computers, more filled libraries, and the incredible power of the internet. This changes the way that everyone learns as typing in a simple search engine will lead you to anywhere you want to go or look up.
With all the applications what Web 2.0 has to offer to the digital learners are able to have a much easier and convenient way to communicate with friends, classmates, and teachers. Being a part of the Digital Native category I'm excited for what is in store for me when I get to teach. I'll be able to put lectures on power points to keep the class entertained with pictures and sounds. I can easily access a movie, or the commonly known school house rock episodes to teach them ways to memorize their grammar by just a click of a button. With e-mail access I'll be able to communicate easily with parents and have the ability to keep an online grade book so that parents can see their children's progress throughout the school year.
DISCLAIMER: This blog is an assignment for an interdisciplinary Studies course at National Univerisity. It is not a real blog.
Prenksy, M. (October 2001). 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
Prensky, M. (December 2001). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants, Part II: Do they really think differently? On the Horizon, 9(5), 1-6
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