It's Complicated

I have mixed feelings about both authors/ideas. When we discussed Prensky in class, I was thinking, "yes! yes! yes!" But then as I was reading Boyd...I had the same thoughts. For me it is an "and/both" situation. I think people can also read too deeply into the term "native." As we read/hear "digital native" we assume that means fluency. My grandmother was born in Italy...she was an Italian native - but she came to the United States at such a young age that she related/identified FAR more as an Italian-AMERICAN, than an Italian native. On the contrary, by husband did not come here until he was in his early 20s, so he identifies more as a Dominican Republic native than a US/NY native. The difference is easily noted when meeting new people. If you had met my grandmother and asked where she was from, she would tell you, Providence. Although my husband has been in the U.S. almost equally as long as the Dominican Republic at this point, if you ask him where he is from, without hesitation, he will tell you he is from the Dominican Republic.

 . 

When we think of digital literacy as a comparison to language, we can see how the levels of proficiency can fluctuate. Some digital natives may get much more exposure to the language than others. Some simply be born in a world where the technology exists, but not have access to it, or access to help expanding on it. This digital native could be compared to a second generation of immigrant. The child is native to this country, but at home he/she is most likely surrounded by a culture and language that is different from other native U.S. children - therefore, they may not become as fluent in American culture in customs. On pg 177, Boyd says, "It is dangerous to assume that youth are automatically informed. It is also naive to assume that so-called digital immigrants have nothing to offer."  The example of a second generation immigrant can be applied to this quote as well.  If we encounter a second generation immigrant in our classroom, we should not assume they are fluent in their "native language."  In fact, most of the students I have encountered who come from families born in Spanish-Speaking countries, have a basic understanding of the native language, but in fact, are not fluent in Spanish.  (This particular example relates back to our SCWAAMP discussion - since English is so valued, many immigrant families do not enforce their children learning their native language and instead encourage them to learn English.)

On pg. 196, Boyd says, "I believe that the digital natives rhetoric is worse than inaccurate: it is dangerous. Because of how society has politicized this language, it allows some to eschew responsibility for helping youth and adults navigate a networked world."  I disagree that the term itself is inaccurate but whole heartedly agree with the downfall of how society interprets that terminology.  I also think it's important to note the mention that we push off the responsibility for helping youth (digital natives).  We often assume that because students may be active on social media that they are computer/tech literate.  Using a computer/device for academic purposes is very different than social use.  I use Google Classroom with my high school students, and most have difficulties throughout the whole first quarter.  They don't know how to save/update passwords.  They do not know how to toggle between their personal gmail and their school gmail.  If their personal gmail is integrated into their phone, when Google Classroom opens up Google Docs, it will default to their personal email and they will not have access-most cannot resolve this issue independently.  

Overall, I like the term digital native - I believe that is what these students are; they do not know a world without technology.  However, just like any other language, the student's digital fluency can vary based on the exposure and instruction they have received.   

In this YouTube clip, Ellen talks with some digital natives about older technology. While these children may not be fluent, they have grown up in a world where these once amazing devices are now obsolete compared to the current technology.