Week 6: ‘Do Digital Natives Really Exist?’

Upon first hearing of the term ‘Digital Native’ (Prensky, 2001), I assumed that it referred to an individual who felt comfortable operating in and around the digital world. Through research, I have come to a greater understanding of the term. ‘Digital natives’ are individuals 'born after 1980’ (Gasser & Palfrey, 2008). They have grown up surrounded by technology and thus 'have a familiarity with communications, media and digital technologies' (Brown, 2011) – all of which they use on a regular basis. 'Digital natives' have 'access to networked digital technologies' (Gasser & Palfrey, 20018) as well as the skills and knowledge to use them.

 The concept of ‘digital natives’ is often used in comparison to ‘Digital Immigrants’ (Prensky, 2001); referring to individuals born before the 'digital age', who vary in their 'level of exposure to, and competence using, technology' (Brown, 2011). The vast majority of 'digital immigrants' lack fluency in their understanding of the digital world. 

Due to the differences in their exposure to digital technology whilst growing up, ‘digital natives’ and ‘digital Immigrants’ experience extreme discrepancies in ‘learner and teacher characteristics' (Kurt, Günüç, & Ersoy, 2013).  Where the ‘digital immigrant’ prefers to teach, and learn ‘slowly, step-by-step, … individually’ (Prensky, 2001), ‘digital natives are used to receiving information really fast’ (Prensky, 2001). They thrive through networking and multitasking, often seeking their information through the internet – as opposed to the library.

It is important to know of these differences as many of today’s educators are ‘digital immigrants’ and all students (in high school, and below) are ‘digital natives’. These variances may cause ‘digital immigrants’ to teach students using ineffective methods as they are unaware of and do not understand how ‘today’s students think and process information’ (Prensky, 2001). In future, we as educators should endeavour to understand, utilise and immerse ourselves in how our students think, feel and learn. This will lead to more effective and efficient teaching in practice.

References

Brown, T. (2011). Are you a digital native or a digital immigrant? Being client centred in the digital era. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(7), 313. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy1.acu.edu.au/ps/i.do?


Kurt, A. A., Günüç, S., & Ersoy, M. (2013). The current state of digitalization: Digital native, digital immigrant and digital settler. Egitim Bilimleri Fakultesi Dergisi, 46(1), 1-22. Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy1.acu.edu.au/docview/1466273396?accountid=8194

Gasser, U., & Palfrey, J. (2008). Born digital : understanding the first generation of digital natives. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy2.acu.edu.au

Prensky, M. (2001). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants Part 1. On the Horizon, 9(5), 1-6. Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy2.acu.edu.au/docview/214629645?accountid=8194