Archived+Digital+Natives+Articles

Rebeka Thompson Smith-- PsycINFO-- [|Baek, Y. (2008) What hinders teachers in using computer and technology in the classroom?]Exploring factors inhibiting the uptake of computer and video games. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 11(6), 665-671. doi:10.1089/cpb.2008.0127 This article defines the reasons that teachers aren't comfortable with using technology thus supporting the debate that there is a stark difference in drive and process for learning between teachers and modern day students.

Lauren Bell's Contribution: [|Prensky, M (2004). The Emerging Life of a digital native] Prensky discusses how technology influences teenagers in a way that many of up have never imagined. " This online life has become an entire strategy for how to live, survive and thrive in the 21st century."

Christy Pottroff's contribution: Hargittai, E. (2010). [|Digital Na(t)ives? Variation in Internet Skills and Uses Among Members of the 'Net Generation']. This article provides a nuanced examination of the factors that contribute to an individual's development of technological literacy. Significantly, Hargittai explores the influence of socioeconomic class, parental education, and types of technology use--rather than a simple generational split.

Emma Doyle's Contribution: Bennet S. & Marton K. (2010) Beyond the "Digital Natives" Debate: Towards a More Nuanced Understanding of Students' Technology Experiences. This article takes an "agnostic" approach to the term digital native, and examines how technology experiences have influenced learners, and looks to see how a better understanding of students' technology experiences has influenced them as learners. 

Chris Jelinek's Contribution Helding, L. (2011). Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants: Teaching and Learning in the Digital Age. //Journal Of Singing//, //68//(2), 199-206. This article examines how the the brain evolves and learns new information (including digital learning). It also discusses the issue of the whether digital media can be addictive or not.

Kellie Clark's Contribution: Waters, John (2011). [|Will the Real Digital Native Please Stand Up,] //Campus Technology.// This article challenges some of Prenksy's points and examines how the term relates to students today.

Janet Glazier's Contribution: Jones, Chris and Shao, Binhui (2011).[|//The Net Generation and Digital Natives: implications for higher education.//] //Higher Education Academy, York.// This article is the summation of different empirical studies conducted around the world regarding the existence of "digital natives" in higher education. The authors conclude that there is not enough evidence to suggest that students currently entering institutions for higher education meet Prensky's criteria for "digital natives." The study focuses on range of interesting topics but I found the section on the gap between teachers and students most interesting. (Click on the PDF link for the full article.)

Johanna Diaz's Contribution: Freedman, Terry (2010).[|__The Myth of the Digital Native__] //The Educational Technology Site// This article summarizes a talk given by Angela McFarlane about how she doesn't think all students are as involved with technology as we think. She believes interaction with people is important and for technology to be used in the classroom we must keep that interaction alive. Angela explains that even though some kids may look like they know technology they might not so she calls the so called "digital natives" a myth.

Danielle Carniaux's Contribution: Martinez, S., & Prensky, M. (2011). [|Point/Counterpoint: Is the Digital Native a Myth?]. Learning & Leading with Technology, 39(3), (6-7) This article is a debate between Sylvia Martinez and Marc Prensky. Both promote incorporation of technology in education. What they disagree upon is the label "digital native" and what such a bran implies. Martinez argues that such a label stigmatizes older generations and discourages them from meaningfully engaging with technology. Prensky downplays the nomenclature arguing that it is just a term intended to refer to a person's high level of experience with technology--a person who tends to be from a younger generation.

Martin Mintz's Contribution: "Beyond the 'Digital Natives' Debate: Towards a more nuanced understanding of students' technology experiences" S. Bennet and K. Maton [] This article makes many points and, even more interestingly, brings out a lot of new questions into the depths that the concept of "Digital Natives" can be explored. While it does more to identify issues, the article does a great job exploring those questions, especially from the perspective of an educator working in this digital age.