COMPARING PRENSKEY’S VIEWS TO RELATED LITERATURE. Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants

Prensky claims that this generation has changed differently than all other generations, in ways that have influenced thinking patterns and brain structure. Prensky claims that digital natives are accustom to instantaneous gratification and multisensory delivery. They crave interaction and generally would learn better with games and other technology. That there is a new way to do things now, and adaptation is necessary.

Do They Really Think Differently? Prenskey Claims they do!  The brain constantly reorganizes itself all our child and adult lives, a phenomenon technically known as neuroplasticity.  Malleability refers to the fact that one’s thinking patterns change depending on one’s experiences. Digital natives have a different blend of cognitive skills, such as multidimensional visual-spatial skills, inductive discover, mental maps, and responding faster to expected and unexpected stimuli. We must find a way to teach and learn reflection in a digital language.

Digital Culture: Immigrants and Tourists Responding to the Natives’ Drumbeat (Toledo, 2007) This article discusses how many models have added embellishments to Prenskey’s model, such as Coburn (2004) and Feeney who suggests many other categories such as “digital refugee, digital explorer and digital addict.” “The culture of the academy is grounded in print world traditions, and in order for faculty to change they need to see examples of pedagogically sound applications of technology that take into account the skill levels of students.”  You can’t just tell teachers to apply their old methods to new technology.

This article supports the main ideas Prenskey put forward, but thinks they could use development and should be less dichotomous.

Integrating Technology into the Classroom: How does it Impact Student Achievement? In this article Harvey ‐ Woodall (2009) supports Prensky’s views that technology is the link for teachers to reach the students of today. He claims that traditional methods of teaching are not as effective with Digital Natives and that technology is the most important way to enhance learning. He also states that instruction is more student- centered when technology is used. Educators must focus on innovative ways to make use of technology to foster learning and get results.

Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants: Some Thoughts from the Generation Gap. In this article by Timothy VanSlyke (2003) speaks from the generation gap of those who don’t qualify as natives but play a role of educating their peers about technology. VanSlyke’s counterargument is that Prenskey is overemphasizing the differences in culture.

He questions the biological claims that Prensky made, as he finds it hard to believe the structure of the brain could change so vastly in one generation.  Can’t young learners assimilate?  Are all students exposed to technology to the same extent? This article recognizes Prensky’s observations, but calls for a “middle ground” where both generations can work together, maintain their “legacy” and “progress.”

The Myth of the Digital Native, by Terry Freedman (2010) Freedman discusses a speaker she heard, Angela McFarlane, speaking about digital natives. She states that Mcfarlane commented that even though many students are engaged while using technology, there is a large number of “low users” that only appear to be engaged. However there are sections of society that do not engage in technology in terms of getting online. The teacher is important because she does not only show students how to use the technology at school but she must also teach them how to learn effectively with the technology.

There seems to be a general consensus that Prenskey did have some good ideas and observations. The language he created has gone on to be studied and used over and over again. Some literature adds onto it, much supports it, and some counteracts certain aspects, especially for over-simplification or being overly extreme. Never-the-less his impact on this topic is unquestionable. In Conclusion….