Spiegel vs Prensky

What do you make of the (divergent) positions of Spiegel and Prensky? 

I agree with Spiegel that Prensky’s terminology is outdated and may even be dangerous. I think Spiegel hits the nail on the head when she says this terminology "leads all educational stakeholders to believe that children already know how to use these devices” which “eliminate[s] the teaching of foundational skills necessary to operate the equipment produced” (2018). Thankfully, I had a computer class in elementary school where we learned how to type (with those classic rubbery orange covers on the keys). We also engaged with different types of media online and had opportunities to explore games and educational resources online. In fifth grade, our librarians also planned a project where we learned how to conduct research online, what sources were trustworthy, and how to cite information without plagiarizing—which at this age was just copying and pasting the link where you found the information. As someone who fits Prensky’s definition of a “Digital Native” — someone who “spent their entire lives surrounded by and using computers, videogames, digital music players, video cams, cell phones, and all the other toys of the digital age” (2001a) — I am grateful that my schools did not neglect to teach me the skills necessary to engage with these technologies. Unfortunately, I see this has not been the case with my own students. Despite teachers being forced to use digital platforms, like Canvas (our learning management system) and Skyward (online attendance and grading), students often do not know how to engage with these platforms. When providing online assignments, I realized I have to spend a significant amount of time introducing the technology and skills required to complete the assignment. Further, I quickly realized students have not been taught how to appropriately send emails, yet that is our school’s expected primary form of digital communication. Thus, I hope to introduce “Professionalism Mondays” next year, where I can introduce 30-minute digital and professional skills that are aligned to our ELA curriculum. I am encouraged by the ELA examples Spiegel provides and excited to see how this takes shape in my classroom next year!

What do you hear each of them saying about who youth are?

In Prensky’s definition, I hear him saying that youth are experts on technology simply because they grew up around it. However, I hear Spiegel challenge this by introducing new terms, such as “digital creator,” “digital socialites,” “digital gamer,” and “digital worker”; these terms imply that students may specialize in engaging with technology in a certain way and leaves room to “present learning opportunities that vary to engage different technology users and offer opportunities for students to learn to use technology in ways they have not before” (Spiegel, 2018). I agree with Spiegel that schools must include courses and curricula that teach students basic technology skills beginning at the elementary level. Otherwise, despite students growing up with technology at their fingertips, they may enter the workforce digitally “illiterate.”

Where do you stand on the “digital native” terminology?

All-in-all, I believe the term "digital native" wrongly assumes students’ ability to engage with and effectively use all types of technology whereas Spiegel’s terms leave room for specialization and encourage varied engagement with technology as well as traditional ways of learning, all which are necessary for students to effectively engage in the workforce beyond school.