Yooooooooooo,
Let’s just get to it. Language matters, words matter, the words and language we use evokes emotion, thought, action, and may very well perpetuate cultural dominance. It is my opinion that a perpetuation of America’s dominant culture is highlighted once again in Prensky’s work “Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants”. The title alone guided my thoughts and opinion of what was to follow. I first asked myself a question. Why would any scholar use such stark language to describe the digital skillset of individuals? Could the author have intended to capture potential reader’s attention? Maybe there is serious belief and conviction toward the two opposites. Whatever the reasoning, I knew the terminology used did not resonate with me in a positive manner.
I too felt something was off with Prensky’s portrayal of the digital prowess of students and educators. It was as if Prensky was attempting to further the divide between students and teachers alike. In “Prensky Revisited” I was elated, Spiegel questioned Prensky’s work and consumed the “Born Digital” piece authored by Palfrey and Gasser. The Born Digital work allows for the classification of the digital user to be based upon purpose of use rather than the age of the user. This manner of classification seems to be derived from thorough analysis versus emotional instability.
