Spiegel, Prensky Revisited 

What do you make of the positions of Prensky and Spiegel?  Where do you stand on the “digital native” terminology?

As an educator in this fast paced technological driven world, I have see firsthand the impact that technology has in our students. After reading "Prensky Revisited: Is the term "Digital Native" Still Applicable to Today's Leaner?" I found myself questioning how accurate is Prensky's idea when it comes to the students that sit in our classrooms today.

Prensky's term, "Digital Natives" is used to suggest that children born after 1980 have grown up with technology all around them and as a result they are "native speakers of the digital language". We often misinterpret that our students are tech savvy because they have easy access to phones, tablets, computers, etc... Let's rethink that! Not all students have access to technology at home.

When I introduced tablets or Chromebooks for the first time to my Kindergartners, I was under the assumption that they are fast learners and they will be able use the device because they are experts in technology. I was wrong, it was a disaster, I had the student shouting from across the room asking me why "kids YouTube" was not in the ipad, I had another one visually upset because he did not have his "Minecraft" game app. It was a disaster! Now I had the students show disappointment whenever it was quiet time (that's when I use computers). Some students complained why they need to sit like they are doing work if they are only "playing" a game (Lexia or Happy Numbers Learning apps). I had to use "certificates" of completion as an incentive. To awaken that curiosity and motivate them to use technology differently from when they use it at home.

Technology: The Thief of Childhood

https://www.midwoodargus.com/blog/2023/5/2/technology-the-thief-of-childhood

Kids do not instinctively know how to use technology. Throughout the years, I have observed how incredible it is to see how kids use digital tools daily but that does not means that they know how technology works beneath surface. I remember one time that I turned on the T.V and my younger daughter was only 2 at that time. She grabbed a chair, pushed it close to the T.V screen, got on the chair and began to try to swipe the Kids Youtube app because she wanted a different video. She got upset to the point she began to cry because she was lacking the language to express her frustration because she couldn't use the "eye pop" (I pad). 

Children might know how to play a game, but they do not understand how to code, how to solve problems through technology and even evaluate information they find online. 

This is where Spiegel's point resonates. While children now in day might have a lot of exposure to technology, compared to older generations, it doesn't mean that they are "technology experts." Digital literacy goes beyond the ability or opportunity to have access to a digital device; it requires a deep understanding of how technology impacts the world and how we can use \technology responsibly. Just like academics, it is an opportunity to create, use thinking skills and evaluate.

Not all "Natives" are equal

The biggest takeaway from the article, specially as an educator, is equity. Not all students are at the same level. We as teachers get to see what standardized testing does not measure. We are always as educators informally assessing our students ability for everything and we plan to individualize instruction to meet their needs. As educator who wants to bring digital technology into her classroom full of little learners, who also need to grow emotionally, socially and are still developing I feel the pressure to find a way to "individualize" digital instruction. We cannot assume that all students have the same foundation, we need to scaffold their experiences with technology in a way that is meaningful and inclusive.

To conclude, I realized that digital literacy is a new shift for education. It is not just about introducing technology to students; we must teach them how to use it responsibly and creatively. We need to empower our students to understand the benefits and the potential dangers of the digital world. In my classroom, I will now me more focused on integrating technology in ways that encourage problem solving and exploration. We use tablets not just for games but for learning games that actively engage the student. Leaning games that are interactive. This transforms technology usage from consumption to a tool for creation. 

Spiegel reminds me that today's students are certainly growing in a technology world, but this does not make them experts! As educators we need guide them beyond basic skills and help them be responsible users of technology. Let's show our students to use technology to think. Let's prepare our students for the real future!

How do you approach the idea of "Digital Natives" in your own teaching? I'd love to hear your thoughts and how you are integrating technology in your classroom!