Digital+Natives

[home] **Digital Natives Reflection **  **Who are Digital Natives? **

The term digital native was coined by Marc Prensky in 2001 when he published the article Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. This term refers to those who were born after digital technology came into place. It can be said that most Digital Natives have had exposure to various types of technology that are available.


 * Are Digital Natives changing education? **

Depending on the school and its location I would have to say yes digital natives are changing the structure of education. The majority of digital natives do not like lectures and text book learning. Schools are now moving towards the use of various forms of technology. Before all we had in the classrooms were computers now there are smart and promethean boards, iPads, iPods, individual notebook computers, firefly and Logitech note taking pens, and etc. Online classes for higher education students are becoming more common. For secondary and elementary students there is online virtual school.

**Let’s get Personal ** Before completing this assignment I had no idea what a Digital Native was. But now I do and I also know that that term replies to me. When I started reading about this topic my eyes started to clear off and I was like wow I am seeing things in a whole new light.



I, Christie J. Belzamour, am a Digital Native. As I child I spent most of my days watching television and playing video games. Now as an adult I spend most of days checking various social networks, using that various functions of my cell phone and completing homework assignments. I do enjoy the use of technology because it makes everyday life simpler. During power and internet outages I don’t know what to do with myself. Sometimes I think of my first days with technology. I was in grade three and I was just learning how to use a computer. Back then we had to flip a switch in the back of the computer and then hit a button in the front of the computer. Back then in the classrooms the computers were used for reading interventions and every so often the teacher would allow us to play a few non-educational games. Looking at computers now and what they were back then it’s like I was living in the Stone Age.

 As I sit here a wonder is technology taking away from learning? Are students learning learned helplessness?