Marc Prensky's much quoted work on digital immigrants and digital natives is under attack (again), and his distinction between preferences, behaviours, and ... yes... even cognitive structures ... has been challenged in some recent research. Tom Hanson, Editor of OpenEducation.net shared some links with me this morning and writes:"In recent months, research has been emerging that calls into question several of the assumptions surrounding the current generation of learners dubbed 'digital natives'. As but one example, the notion that today's students are masters of technology is simply not borne out by research. At OpenEducation.net we recently took an in-depth look at the net generation as it relates to teaching and learning."
Articles he has highlighted for free download include: 'Digital immigrants teaching the net generation much ado about nothing', 'Net Generation Nonsense' (By Mark Bullen), and 'Net generation concerns overhyped'. Well, from the titles, it looks as though these guys have already made up their minds. I have just given a keynote presentation on this very issue to a group of school teachers. I highlighted the widening gap between their use of technology and that of the children they teach. Is it all an illusion then? or is the jury still out on digital natives and immigrants?
I'll get me coat....
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5 comments:
Dear Steve,
I really do believe that these 'digital natives' place more trust in technology and embrace/adopt it quicker. What they do lack is insight in the social or moral implications of using it (peers lying their socks off online or cyberbullying eachother), the ways in which it can be misused and that it sometimes should be mistrusted.
Therefore I also believe that these kids should be taught, guided and supported by us 'immigrants'. The problem that rises here is the lack of responsibility educators show when they don't pick op these signals in society, don't upgrade the curriculum to 21st century standards, or merely talk about banning the internet from daily schoolpractice.
Regards,
Paulo
I know for a fact that there is a gap, based on observations made in high school. I graduated in 2004, so it wasn't that long ago. It's real, and I've seen it. As a 22 year old computer science major, I live each day exploring and crossing that gap.
Interestingly, this year's crop of 18 year old students who are starting out on their university studies (training as teachers) are the first year of young people who have never known a time when they did not have Internet in the classroom (if you track back to 1995 as the tipping point). They are also the first class of 150 in which not a single student voiced their concerns over using any type of technology. Interesting, isn't it?
I've wondered before - did Pensky get his dates wrong? Are we only *now* seeing true natives?
I was trying to find the dates I thought I'd seen from Prensky - ie anyone born after... and the only one I can find quoted was 1974. This means he classifies Natives as anyone under around 34 yrs old. And that just doesnt add up. (anyone got the *actual* dates he used?)
I'm more inclined to the Resident/Visitor/(tourist?) idea these days, I have to say...
I think I picked up your coat, Steve...
I think this is a classic "it depends" issue. I did some research in this area and think, as far as learning, that the variable is a generational one but how we view learning. My opinion is that it is important to recognize generational differences (much like research on learning styles) but that it depends on the learner. There are simply too many exceptions to make a strong argument. See my forward to the report here http://www.brandonhallnews.com/promos/7oct8.html
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