Digital Natives and Immigrants

 The article "Digital Natives and Immigrants"  by Jennifer Hanson and Andres Jevne discusses the perceived differences between what Prensky referred to as digital immigrants (born after 1980) and digital immigrants (born before 1980). Prensky argued that the educational system was failing these digital natives because of the digital immigrant teachers lack of comfort with technology in the classroom. He argued that that not only were digital natives in need of different types of education but also that their brains were wired differently as a result of their constant interaction with technology. Other researchers disagreed with Prensky's ideas on several fronts and eventually Prensky came to see less of a distinction between the two and came up with the idea of digital wisdom which suggested that everyone could be taught to utilize technology to enhance cognitive processes in a richer manner than was available without digital media. As an instructor who is a digital immigrant, this idea is more appealing as it allows there to be a more meaningful and engaging use of digital media in the classroom. It also allows there to be less homogeneous ideas about digital natives and digital immigrants, and focuses more on the effective use of technology by both groups. Another article highlights these phenomena by showing that digital natives may be more comfortable with digital media but not always in terms of using it in the classroom. This article suggests that although younger digital native teachers may be well versed in using digital gadgets, they may not be using them effectively for instruction methods. As well, the digital native student may be able to use the digital gadgets, but that doesn't mean that their aptitude for technology increases their ability to learn and understand knowledge. As a teacher, technology in the classroom has to be meaningful for the extraction of knowledge. My role is to assist students to learn the knowledge necessary to provide them with the tools to function in the world. Technology is part of our world and therefore I will incorporate the use of it in the classroom. As a culinary arts "digital immigrant" instructor, I enjoy using digital technology for practical learning as much as I enjoy finding and reading well designed and picture filled printed cook books. The use of Internet is a great at your finger tips resource for sharing your cooking and recipe ideas. As well as, finding new inspiring recipes and ideas. I look forward to more useful uses for technology in the future other than games and chats.