Marc Prensky's much quoted work on digital immigrants and digital natives is under attack (again), and his distinction between preferences, behaviours, and ... yes... even cognitive structures ... has been challenged in some recent research. Tom Hanson, Editor of OpenEducation.net shared some links with me this morning and writes:"In recent months, research has been emerging that calls into question several of the assumptions surrounding the current generation of learners dubbed 'digital natives'. As but one example, the notion that today's students are masters of technology is simply not borne out by research. At OpenEducation.net we recently took an in-depth look at the net generation as it relates to teaching and learning."
Articles he has highlighted for free download include: 'Digital immigrants teaching the net generation much ado about nothing', 'Net Generation Nonsense' (By Mark Bullen), and 'Net generation concerns overhyped'. Well, from the titles, it looks as though these guys have already made up their minds. I have just given a keynote presentation on this very issue to a group of school teachers. I highlighted the widening gap between their use of technology and that of the children they teach. Is it all an illusion then? or is the jury still out on digital natives and immigrants?
I'll get me coat....
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