Reflection #27

(1) Describe the Resource / Experience:
During my resource search this week, I discovered an article entitled “Digital Immigrants, Digital Natives”. This article introduces and discusses the terms “digital native” and “digital immigrant”. The term “digital natives” refers to individuals who have been surrounded by technology their entire lives (usually younger generation individuals). Technology just comes naturally to these individuals because it is such an integral part of their everyday lives. The term “digital immigrants” refers to individuals who weren’t born into the digital world (usually older generation individuals). These individuals have to learn technology in order to adapt to their environment, and this learning process can be a constant struggle for some because some “digital immigrants” learn better than others.
(2) Lessons Learned / Applications for the Classroom / Recommendations for Yourself or Others:
I learned a lot from this article. Overall, this article helped me realize that teachers are often “digital immigrants” and they are required to teach “digital native” students. This article taught me strategies that can be used to help teachers and students compromise and overcome this disconnect between the two cultures. I thought this article was very helpful because when I am a technology specialist/coach one day in the near future, I will have to work with “digital immigrant” teachers and collaborate with them to help them design and implement technology-rich lessons for “digital native” students. This article really opened my eyes, and I will continue to use it in the future when I’m training other teachers to effectively access and use technology resources.
(3) Links to Readings, Resources, or Discussions:
These ideas directly link to the following resource from my Resource Log:

Prensky, M. (2001, October). Digital natives, digital immigrants. On the Horizon. Retrieved from http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf