1. Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants
Marc Prensky’s
Katie Amend
Jerrod Bain
Casey Moffett
Nancy Nichols

2. Life in the fast lane as a Digital Native

3. Digital Native
Digital Natives are defined as those of this first generation to grow up with technology.
Natives :
refer to the internet for information first and foremost.
multi-task and move in parallels.
Hyper-text
Need instant gratification and rewards
Prefer graphics rather than text
Prefer games to “work”
Move at “twitch” speed
Are never “unplugged”!
Prensky (2001)

4. Digital Immigrants
Digital immigrants are those not born into the digital generation and are struggling or slightly fascinated by the technology era.
Immigrants:
Have a foot in the past
Turn to the internet as a secondary reference
Read manuals when in doubt about technology rather than just the go and wing it method
Speak in an outdated language
Have little appreciation for natives and their skills
Are the majority of our teaching population and struggling to keep up with the young digital natives that fill up our classrooms.
Prensky (2001)

5. Neuroplasticity
The idea that the brain constantly reorganizes itself during our lifespan
Key thoughts:
The brain changes and organizes itself differently based on the inputs it receives
Brain changes physically based on simulation
Brain cells are replenished constantly
Brain maintains its plasticity for life
Prensky (2001)

6. Malleability mal⋅le⋅a⋅ble
1. capable of being extended or shaped by hammering or by pressure from rollers.
2. adaptable or tractable: the malleable mind of a child.
Some factors influence what thoughts are about… others influence processes.
People who grow up in different cultures do not think about different things… they think differently
Brains do not reorganize casually- they rewire with focus and detail
Digital Natives have a very different blend of cognitive skills than their predecessors
Prensky (2001)

7. Merging Immigrants and Natives
Digital Immigrants must first accept that Native learners are different and learn in a different way
Immigrants must reconsider methodology and content
Methodology: Immigrants must learn to “speak” the new language of Natives (faster, less step-by-step, more random access, etc.)
Content: Combine “Legacy” (slow, step-by-step) and “Future” (digital and technological) content using new language
Prensky (2001)

8. Implementing New Methodology and Content
KEY: Keep them engaged and interested
There should no longer be a question of whether to use the technology, but how to use the technology to teach the material
Use Natives as resource- let students be the guides
Invent games or other forms of “edutainment” to teach material
Remove or reduce “education” terminology
“It just depends on how it is presented”
Zoo Tycoon
Prensky (2001)

9. Are “natives” dozing off in class?
Pay attention!
Are “natives” dozing off in class?
Constant technological stimulation leads to…
CRAVING interactive activity.
Students are able to pay attention, however…
they CHOOSE not to!
Research from Sesame Street says that…
children only tune into what they NEED to form meaning from the information.
Prensky (2001)

10. Educational Implications
Reflection allows us to generalize and make “mental models” from our experiences.
Missing in most classes
Can educators–
Increase reflection for students
in a digital way?
Teachers should embrace the idea of
video and computer games
because these meet and enhance learning needs.
Prensky (2001)

11. Do games really work? YES most of them do!!!
Proper design is paramount
Learning as a game– weekend work!
Add a work day to the week!
Games must be…
Compelling (interesting)
Real (not drill)
Presky (2001)

12. First year students’ experiences with technology: Are they really digital natives?
First year students are tech-savvy, but when they have to move beyond computers, cell phones and their skill set varies
Questions Prensky’s cultural and environmental assumptions in relation to the physically changing brain
Article is skeptical of Prensky’s generalizations about students entering college with the same digital upbringing
Prensky may overlook a this mixture of technology skills and previous knowledge
If this knowledge is taken into consideration, there is more opportunity got sound teaching and learning
Kennedy (2008) et al

13. The Australian universities want to make sure that they enhance the learning experience of incoming students
Students are using technology in their everyday lives and transferring that to their education…
“living technologies” adapted as “learning technologies”
Blogs
Instant messaging
Texting
Social networking
RSS feeds
Downloading MP3’s
Kennedy (2008) et al

14. Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants: Some Thoughts from the Generation Gap
Supports Prensky’s idea of the existence of a cultural divide between Natives and Immigrants
Unconvinced of Prenky’s idea that the neurological structures are capable of changing so dramatically from one generation to the next
Over generalizes idea of Digital Natives
Necessary for Immigrants to learn and incorporate Internet into teaching because it is the first place Natives turn for info
But do not assume they are incapable of communicating in the way of Immigrants!
Before we abandon “legacy” content, must address important questions:
Are all Natives exposed to technology to the same extent?
What are the demographic differences?
VanSlyke (2003)

15. Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants: Some Thoughts from the Generation Gap, Continued
Prenksy overemphasizes the differences between two groups and de-emphasizes similarities
Disservice to Natives to de-emphasize “legacy” content (reading, writing, logical thinking, etc.)
Vast volumes of information from technology demand the ability to think critically and make use of research skills
Computer is an effective trainer, but is it an effective teacher?
Important that we maintain idea that students should learn with technology, not from it
Computer is a medium, learner and teacher are the mediators
Most important is to use engaging teaching methods that are student-centered and promote active learning, with or without technology
VanSlyke (2003)

16. They’re here!!
Our students, new professionals, today’s generation have been coined as “Digital Natives and they are here to stay.
Lee Rainie (2006)

17. Coming to an Office/School Near You!
Positives and Pitfalls to the Younger Workforce
Younger employees/students need to learn and work with different expectations.
Twenty-one year olds+ are technologically literate.
Although they are content creators from blogs to broadcast, they are not as savvy with privacy and copyright.
These multi-taskers live in a Venn Diagram where their worlds of work and leisure tend to cross over frequently.
Online behaviors are often too causal often hedging on inappropriate.
Lee Rainie (2006)

18. Addressing Needs of Natives…
Television
Baby boomers
Digital Natives
Surrounded since birth
Instantaneous addressing of needs/wants
Consumer in charge… NOT the producer
ipods
Tivo
Gaston (2006)

19. Characteristics of Natives
High expectations for online experiences
No patience for wait time
is not fast enough
Instant messaging
Text messaging
Key classroom elements needed:
Interactivity
Exploration
immediate / multiple “conversations”
Gaston (2006)

20. How teachers can respond…
Ignore the technology “trend”
Chase every fad
Pay attention to research and judiciously incorporate technology
Be aware of how important technology is and how is has impacted your students
Gaston (2006)

21. References Gaston, J. (2006, April)
References Gaston, J. (2006, April). Reaching and teaching the digital natives. Library Hi Tech News, 23(3), Kennedy, G. E., Judd, T. S., Churchward, A., Gray, K. & Krause, K.-L. (2008). First year students' experiences with technology: Are they really digital natives? Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 24(1), Lee Rainie. (2006, September). FT.com site : They are the future - and they're coming to a workplace near you. FT.com,1. Retrieved June 15, 2009, from ABI/INFORM Global database. (Document ID: Prensky, M. (2001). “Digital natives, digital immigrants”. On the Horizon, October 2001, 9 (5)NCB University Press. Prensky, M. (2001). “Do they really think differently?” On the Horizon, December 2001, 9 (6)NCB University Press. Timothy VanSlyke "Digital natives, digital immigrants: some thoughts from the generation gap." The Technology Source, May/June 2003.

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