Technology is a major part of our everyday life. Technology has made tedious, time-consuming task more bearable. I am sure we all know what a computer is and what it does. Emails can be sent with a click of a button and google search engine is a convenient way to ‘google’ till your heart desires. However, technology doesn’t just stop there. It has extended beyond that. The introduction of the iphone and all its versions has transformed the lives of every single individual that owns one. It has even affected the way businesses run and communicate as well as the way we as an individual communicate and build relationships within ourselves and wider community.
But the burning question here is “Do digital natives exist?”.
Well because of the constant evolving nature of technology and how it is ever changing to improve — digital natives definitely exist.
A digital native is a person who is brought up during the time of emerging technology. They are what is known as “native speakers” of the digital language of computers, video games and the Internet (Prensky 2001).
And so if digital natives exist, then what is the opposite of a digital native?
Prensky encourages us to think about those who were not born into the digital world. If digital natives exist than as quoted by Prensky “what does that make the rest of us?” (2001). Now, there is a name for those. They are known as Digital Immigrants. Unfortunately, I do believe there is a division between the two. Digital Immigrants are those who were born after the world of technology was introduced and so growing up, they didn’t have these devices incorporated into their everyday lives.
The fundamental differences between the two is that one individual are dependent (to a certain extent) on technological advances for their everyday lives where the other individual lives their lives without these advances and are forced to figure things out on their own. They are forced to problem-solve and are forced to become curious and find answers for their own benefit. They make mistakes, learn and move on. A digital native on the other hand, can research their problems well in advance, and ask for advice through online forums and such before actually reaching the problem and experiencing them for themselves. These individual may learn from their researches, but really they will never obtain the life experiences of making these mistake to actually learn and discover themselves on a deeper level. I believe this is quite a concern.
So why is this concept important to me?
I believe as a future educator that it is important that we understand the differences between a 2016 digital native and the future generations digital native as there is a contrasting different. Although a 2016 individual is born in a digital world, hence the term “digital native” we must also take into account that technology changes and so what was being exposed to a 2016 individual growing up would change the way they think and behave as compared to a new technology that has been introduced to the future generations digital natives. It is important to understand the differences and plan lessons then approach teaching appropriately to ensure we inspire the next generations and teach in way that is effective. Hopefully to inspire them to use technology as a tool and not a way of living.
References
Prensky, M (2001). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. On the Horizon, 9(5),1–6. Retrieved from
Pilton, S (2012). Image 2: A computer from the year 2000’s. Do you remember this? Retrieved from
http://hci-impacts-stephen.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/impact-of-human-computer-interface-hci.html
Oakman, H (2016). Image 3. Retrieved from
http://edtechnology.co.uk/Article/interactive-tech-in-the-classroom-its-all-about-engagement
