Leah+Petetti


 * Discussion for January 24, 2012** - Mark Prensky (2001), //Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants//

After reading Prensky’s(2001) article and pondering the discussion question, I believe that there will always be Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants. If the pattern of technological advances continues at the incredibly steady progressions it may be impractical for anyone to assume that one day the lines drawn between Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants will blur enough to assimilate the knowledge, skills and understanding of technology. Considering the research discussed in Prensky’s (2001) article, we now have a developing understanding about neuroplasticity and its implications regarding technology: “Researchers found that an additional language learned later in life goes into a different place in the brain than the language(s) learned as children.” (p. 8 – of PDF document). It would make sense for us to say that the previous quote supports the belief that there will always be Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants – if, or more accurately when new technology is developed, the process, understanding and application will take place in entirely different parts of the brain depending whether the person is a child or an adult. Looking at a hypothetical event that the trend of human behavior and adaptation progresses in a way that even the eldest generations have become “equals” with the younger generations, specifically regarding technology use and application, we can say that it is always //possible// to meet an end to technological differences such as Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants.

Response 1: I agree with everything you said. I think there could be different outcomes and it all depends on if there is new technology or not. I liked that you used to quote to justify your opinion and it makes me believe that there always will be a difference no matter how big or small that difference is. I just wonder if there will be new technology, but at the rate we are going I don't even think it is a question. -Chelsea Morgan

Responce 1: I also agree with everything you said, and the fact that you used a quote to support your statement just shows more evidence between the gap of Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants. I think that the gap could be potentially cut in half but that there will always be a gap and some cushioning between digital natives and digital immigrants. -Sam Schnall

I completely agree with you in the fact that we will not be able to physically adapt as fast as children will when it comes to developing technology. I also enjoyed the quote that you used. It really adds validity to your argument. Although I do believe that we will someday be able to shorten the gap between the generations, I do believe that there will always be some sort of separation of technological intelligence between the generations. I do wonder though if we will ever make it a priority to implement these developing technologies into the classrooms, which means keeping completely up to date with these advances, which may one day ultimately close the gap.
 * Response to Discussion Question:**

- Brianna Guidos