Digital Natives vs. Digital Immigrants

What is the difference between digital natives and digital immigrants?

As Marc Prensky discussed in the article, Digital Native, Digital Immigrants, in today's world there are two types of learners. Digital natives are those of us which were born in the time of the digital world. These natives know the language, know the slang, and understand the ins and outs of the society. The digital immigrants are not quite so technologically savvy. The digital immigrants are described as those who were born before/outside of the digital world who have tried to pick it up later in life. Just as an immigrant to a new country, old habits and ways of life still remain for digital immigrants, Prensky called this a person's “accent”.

Mark Pensky

How has the immigrant/native divide affected the classroom?

While many teachers and professors are considered digital immigrants and most students are considered digital natives, there is a bit of a language barrier in the classroom. As digital immigrants grew up in a different time, with different practices, their teaching form follows a textbook heavy, traditional model, throwing information towards students hoping something will stick. To a digital native, this teaching style is disinteresting, and frankly, quite hard to follow. Digital natives learn differently, many retain information more thoroughly through interactive learning. Whether this is visually or through hands-on learning, today's students are more skilled at learning in louder, more distracting environments through activities that stimulate them.

Where do I fall?

I am a digital native through and through. I was born and raised in a time when technological advances were on the rise. I have never known a time when a cell phone did not exist. Toys made specifically for learning were a part of my adolescence, as I aged SMART boards and interactive games based on learning were used in classrooms regularly. As a teenager many online study platforms became primarily used, such as Quizlet, where personalized study sets were easily made and accessible. Multitasking, learning while watching or listening to media, is a regular occurrence for me. Sometimes background noise is the only thing keeping me focused. I was raised in the digital world, and I luckily have had many teachers who have been very well-versed, digital immigrants.

Here is the link to my favorite online study site, Quizlet: https://quizlet.com

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