Digital native
Born after 1984
Raised in a digital world
Thought to have + technology skills
Homo Zappiens
= generation of learners similar to that of the digital natives. Homo zappiens live in a
technological world in which information is readily available.
More meta-cognitive
Have to be more self-regulated, in order to not be to be distracted by the excess of
information
Digital immigrant
Born before 1984
These people had to be introduced to technology later in life, know a world without
technology
Questions about the existence of digital natives
Born after 1984, not especially deeps knowledge of technology
Range of technologies used by natives is limited, just basic skills.
Significant further training is still needed.
digital literacy has to be trained in both generations
Presence of technology has not resulted in improved information retrieval,
information seeking or metacognitive skills
Technology is more often used for personal empowerment/entertainment
Strange that information/technology literacy is core of education
Many digital immigrants exhibit more ‘native’ characteristics
not so much relation between age and digital knowledge
Rather relation income and education and digital know-how.
Young/digital native teachers, do not make more use of software and social media in
classes.
Absence of digital native; implications
No gap should exist between immigrants and natives (the gap is fairly small and can
be bridged)
Natives do not possess extremely superior qualities and talents
Digital natives not always more digitally oriented both natives & immigrants
should be taught how to deal with online information
Wary of major educational change based on this principle since it’s dubious.
Implications for education
Teachers and students, both, should learn about digital material
Teachers should clearly specify when, how and why to use technology
promote task-on technology
Multitasking
Claim that youngsters are experts at multitasking and that education should adapt to
it.