Teaching digital natives: Partnering for real learning

TLDR

Prensky’s 2001 concept of “digital natives” has sparked debate, with critics citing weak empirical foundations and polarizing discussions about adapting teaching to new media. The review concludes that Prensky’s latest book demonstrates practical and experiential integrity, offering a credible pedagogical approach.

Abstract

Prensky introduced us to the "digital natives" in 2001, claiming that the generation of students born in the 1980s and the 1990s are so steeped in the use of digital technologies that they think, act and are motivated differently to older generations. Digital natives have been also described as "millenials" (Howe and Strauss, 2003) and members of the "net-generation"(Tapscott, 1998). These labels, along with their technological determinism, have polarised debates in education about adapting teaching approaches to different learning styles and 'new' media technologies. Those critical of Prensky highlight his "weak empirical and theoretical foundations" (Bennett, Maton & Kervin, 2008, p.777) and similar charges might be laid against his latest book, Teaching digital natives: Partnering for real learning (2010). However, I find that Prensky writes with a practical and experiential integrity that grounds his latest pedagogical offering.
 View PDF for the full review