Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Who I Am



According to Prensky,  I am categorized as a  “Digital Immigrant.”  That stings just a little.  I’m one of those teachers who other teachers come to for assistance with technology.  I’m one of those teachers who embrasses and dives into the new apps, and new technologies without waiting for the “training.”   This categorization stings because reading Prensky’s article, “Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants” I find I don’t align with all of the generalities of the immigrant.  I don’t print emails, drag people to my computer to see a website, or call to ask, “Did you get my email.”  Yes, I do have an accent, a foot in the past, as Prensky states but I also think my feet are in the present.

Just like Steven Wheeler suggests in his “A Convenient untruth” post,  I don’t want to be “branded” by this immigrant category.  I am a teacher who uses a variety of methodologies.  I am a teacher who provides learning experiences for her students that encourage opportunities for growth. 


Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives, digital immigrants – Part II: Do they really think differently? On the Horizon, 9(6). Retrieved from http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf

A convenient untruth. (n.d.). Retrieved July 24, 2018, from http://www.steve-wheeler.co.uk/2011/11/convenient-untruth.html

12 comments:

  1. I felt the same way when I read this article. I suppose that I'm a "digital immigrant." But I don't print emails or do anything of those other weird things. I'm an early adopter in many ways, and I assist older as well as younger colleagues and friends with technology issues. I don't think it's as simple as Prensky would have it.

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    1. It sure isn't as simple as Prensky states but it still stung.

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  2. One of the biggest ways to exclude people is to make generalizations! I'm sure you'd like to be excluded from Prensky's group though!

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  3. Prensky likes to categorize people, but after reading the Wheeler blog post I felt like the concepts of Prensky became less important. Every person/learner has a different level of ability and knowledge. To pigeon hole people based on that is to miss opportunities for growth. I'm probably designated as a digital immigrant as well, but I spend part of my day teaching technology to the natives. I personally see myself as in-between those two ideas, as I am not immersed in technology but I am a comfortable user.

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    1. I would really be a "betweener" as well! Maybe that can be our new category:)

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  4. I was not a fan of the over-generalization that Prensky made about Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants. While I fit in to the "digital natives" category, I see some people who are "digital immigrants" who have better tech skills than I do. They can figure out any program placed in front of them and jump in before receiving training (just like you mentioned you do). So to me, it's not really a generational thing. It's more of, who has decided to embrace technology and make it an active part of their life.

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    1. Avery I agree with you last comment-its who has decided to embrace technology and make it an active part of their life. I thrive on technology and many others I know tend to shy away. Personal choice.

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  5. Hey Geri,
    Your picture in the princess dress - - AWESOME! Love it!

    About your post, I agree completely. I am so glad to see others who have been teaching for over 25 years and closer to my age be more proficient in most areas than those that grew up with "technology". As media specialists, I guess we did have a little advangtage as "digital immigrants" because everyone came to us. When I think back...it seemed to go back to the fact that media centers were converted from card catalog to digital platforms (workstation, network, eventually cloud, etc). From that standpoint, I felt like everyone saw me at the computer checking out, looking up books, etc. and assumed that I knew everything about it. It seemed to grow from there. And I learned everything, as I am sure you remember, on my own. But, I think that gave us a great advantage. I'm so proud I have seen the complete transition throughout my lifetime. It gives us a very unique perspective! You have a very positive approach to learning and sharing information and I admire that in all of your posts and rsponses!
    Great thoughts in your post!
    Philomena :)

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    1. I entered the library just as it was converted so I did not have the experience of the card catalog as a media specialist-as a library user, of course! I agree we have been looked at as experts with technology for a long time and I hope it continues.
      Thank you for your kind words! I'm sure you had fun days in "princess dresses" at school! Love the Library Life:)

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  6. I, too, was insulted by Prensky's description of a digital immigrant. I don't print my emails or ask people if they have received them. In fact, one of my pet peeves from students is when they email me, then come to my desk the next day to see if I have received their email. When asked that, I always give them THE LOOK, then explain that yes, I have both read and responded to their email. Then I give them THE LOOK again, just for good measure.

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