ARE DIGITAL NATIVES A MYTH OR REALITY?
Before researching 'digital natives', I felt this term applied to me as I have grown up in a world of technology - Snapchat, Facebook and Instagram. However, delving deeper, I noted that Kennedy et al. (2008, p.10) discussed how "we cannot assume that being a (digital native) is synonymous with knowing how to employ technology strategically to optimise learning experience". I feel that I have been simplistic in my use of technology; being a 'digital native' does not necessarily equip me with the tools to utilise technology in a meaningful and educational way.
The existence of the digital native is a reality. Dr Bruce Berry states, "different kinds of experiences lead to different brain structures" (Prensky. 2001, p.1), implying complete immersion in technology creates a distinct separation between digital natives and digital immigrants. Prensky (2007) found that digital natives are constantly seeking to incorporate new technologies into their education. But is the digital native a generation-based entity or a skill-based entity? Kennedy et al. (2008, p.10) outlined that although university students possessed "a core set of technology-based skills", there exist "a diverse range of skills" that students have yet to uncover. Thus it can be argued that digital natives are not necessarily more inherently technologically capable than a digital immigrant.
Romero et al. (2013) completed a study on basic information and communication technology (ICT) competencies of students undertaking a digital literacy course. They discovered that the differences in characteristics between the digital native and the digital immigrant are slim. This study highlighted that I am still at risk of being technologically surpassed by the digital immigrant if I do not continue to improve my skills. Similarly, I may remain technologically superior to my future students if I cannot encourage them to take advantage of what is on offer.
Overall, I believe that digital natives are a reality. Nevertheless, it is how all aspects of technology are harnessed that truly defines a digital native. Perhaps "digital immigrant" is a misnomer, and we cannot define a digital native according to a year of birth.
As a future teacher, it will be my responsibility to continuously improve my technological knowledge to enhance my teaching. This will provide my future students with an engaging and exciting lesson to improve their educational experience.
References
Kennedy, G., Judd, T., Churchward, A., Gray, K., & Krause, K.-L. (2008). First year students’ experiences with technology: are they digital natives? Australian Journal of Educational Technology, 24(1), 108–122. Retrieved from: https://ajet.org.auindex.php/AJET/article/view/1233/458
Kirschner, P.A., & De Bruyckere, P. (2017). The myths of the digital native and the multitasker. Teaching and Teacher Education, 67, 135-142 Retrieved from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/s0742051x16306692
Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives digital immigrants. On the horizon NCB University Press, 9(5), 1e6. Retrieved from: http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy2.acu.edu.au/docview/214629645?accountid=8194
Prensky, M. (2007). How to teach with technology: Keeping both teachers and students comfortable in an era of exponential change. Emerging Technologies for Learning, Vol. 2 (2007). Retrieved from: http://partners.becta.org.uk/page_documents/research/emerging_technologies07_chapter4.pdf
Romero, M., Guitert, M., Sangra, A., & Bullen, M. (2013). Do UOC students fit in the Net Generation profile? An approach to their habits in ICT use. The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 14(3), 158e181. Retrieved from: http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1422/2600
Sreenivasan, S. (2015). Digital Natives vs. Digital Immigrants [Video]. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_9gI0B4nS4
This blog is extremely beautiful and your use of imagery and videos caught my eye and made me want to continue reading. I however don't agree with your stance on the 'digital native', as I believe their are too many factors involved for a true digital native to exist. Across the world there are many people who have access to technology but there are many who do not, these people who would be considered digital natives due to there age would realistically be immigrants due to their location. Similarly people born in the 70's who fell in love with technology could be better than you or I. This post i believe will struggle to keep up with the time as technology is always expanding and we will most likely be digital immigrant in less than five years.
ReplyDelete- Georgia . B
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteYour blog is very well done and the mix of written and visual text proves to be very effective in helping readers understand this idea of a digital native. Also, the inclusion of an audio component is very thoughtful and shows just how technically talented you are! I agree with you that it's quite difficult to define digital natives by year as people experience and understand technology differently as they grow up. One thing I would like additional information on is the positive and negatives of being a digital native, and how best to support those negatives as we go into times where the number of digital natives increase when we become teachers. Or even how best to support digital immigrants so that they aren't left behind in this digital era.
All the best with your teaching career! You'll make a great teacher when the time comes.
- Samantha (Emma) A
DeleteHi Emma!
Thank you so much for the feedback, I really think it helped in heightening the depth and quality of my blog. I completely agree with all suggestions given and I have taken to changing the evaluation and analysis paragraphs of my original blog, as I felt that it is where your feedback best fit. If I were to implement your feedback into a rewrite of my blog, it would read as follows:
The existence of the digital native is a reality. Prensky addresses this ever-expanding generation as the “native speakers” of the digital language (Prensky, 2001, p.1). Being a native speaker allows for fluency in all facets of technology, whether video games or undertaking research using the computer. Digital natives are able to frequently adapt to technological innovations, rapidly receive and process information and efficiently “multitask” (Prensky, 2001, p.2). However, Sigman (2017) identified that digital natives are spending dangerous amounts of time on their digital devices. Modern technology can result in tremendous distraction, diverging from essential tasks such as exercising and creative play, imperative for maintaining a positive mental and emotional wellbeing. As a teacher, I would ensure all subjects incorporate an even amount of time to use devices and time to put them away. After all, students need to think, learn, converse and comprehend with and without technology
Romero et al. (2013) completed a study on basic ICT competencies of students undertaking a digital literacy course. They discovered that the differences in characteristics between the digital native and the digital immigrant are slim. Thus one can argue that digital natives are not necessarily more inherently technologically capable than the digital immigrant, leading me to question if the digital native is a generation- based entity or a skill-based entity? Nonetheless, this driving question highlighted the importance of educating those less advanced in technology, whether a digital native or a digital immigrant. Individuals need to be educated on the ever-changing technological innovations, how to navigate and use technology to benefit themselves and others and how to implement this technology into their practice to stay up-to-date and relevant. Therefore, in summary, I am still at risk of being technologically surpassed by the digital immigrant if I do not continually improve my skills and I may remain technologically superior to my future students if I cannot encourage them to take advantage of what is on offer.
References
Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives digital immigrants. On the horizon NCB University Press, 9(5), 1e6. Retrieved from: http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy2.acu.edu.au/docview/214629645?accountid=8194
Romero, M., Guitert, M., Sangra, A., & Bullen, M. (2013). Do UOC students fit in the Net Generation profile? An approach to their habits in ICT use. The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 14(3), 158e181. Retrieved from: http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1422/2600
New Reference
Sigman, A. (2017). The downsides of being digitally native. Human Givens Journal, 24, 36-37. Retrieved from https://www.downsend.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2018/11/Downsides-of-being-Digitally-unaware..pdf
*To find screenshots of my annotations regarding where, how and why I made my changes in relation to your feedback, I have created a separate page as the comment section does not allow photos to be published.