Prensky vs. Boyd

Prensky vs. Boyd

What do you make of the (divergent) positions of Boyd and Prensky?  What do you hear each of them say about who youth are?  Where do you stand on the "digital native" terminology?

 I found the labels "digital native" and "digital immigrant" an interesting way to categorize students who are born in the age of digital media and previous generations of students. Upon, listening to and viewing the slides, I immediately identified with the "digital immigrant".  I can perform daily activities such as sending emails, surfing online, and the smart board without stressing.  However, at times, I feel overwhelmed with keeping up with the variety of technology.  I am eager to improve my skills to keep up with the changing times. 

Prensky's idea that technology has made a big change for the new generations and our students are no longer the people our educational system was designed to teach is true.  There is no question that these new technologies are a defining feature in the lives of younger generations in which young people communicate, socialize, create and learn.  Although, today's generation of students represent the first generations to grow up with this new technology, it does not automatically mean that they understand new technologies.  

I agree with Boyd's view.  Just because the youth of today can make their own media online, it does not mean that they have the knowledge or perspective to critically examine what they consume.  According to Boyd, many of today's teens are indeed deeply engaged with social media and are active participants in networked publics, but this does not mean that they inherently have the knowledge or skills to make the most of their online experiences. Rather than assuming that youth have innate technical skills, parents and educators must work to support those who come from different background and have different experiences. Boyd's points are valid, she is concerned with the skills, critical understanding and the use of technology.  Understanding not only how to log on, but how to interpret, evaluate, and participate in various systems and streams of information.  By ignoring the broad spectrum of digital literacy across the youth population, this both ignores and reinforces inequalities between the advantaged and disadvantaged students. I am in agreement with Boyd, becoming literate in a networked age requires hard work, regardless of age.