Unveiling the Digital Dichotomy: Discovering if I'm a Digital Immigrant or a Digital Native

Which one is you?

Am I a Digital Immigrant or a Digital Native? That's a fantastic question, and I'm excited to dive into it. But before we get to the answer, let's take a trip down memory lane and see where I fit in the digital landscape. I was born in 1981, right in the midst of the birth of the digital age. While the first gaming system emerged in the '70s, it wasn't until the '80s when Nintendo came onto the scene and captured the hearts of kids like me. I'll never forget the Christmas when my mom surprised me with a Nintendo. The sheer excitement I felt unwrapping that electronic marvel was indescribable. From that moment, I was hooked, and my love affair with gaming began.

Over the years, I've owned every gaming system imaginable, from the iconic NES to the impressive PS4 (still working on getting my hands on the elusive PS5). As I reminisce, I recall being among the first to explore the realm of computers at school. We learned how to type, played the classic game Oregon Trail (a staple of that era), and dealt with the ever-frustrating floppy disks. My uncle even had one of those chunky cell phones that resembled a house phone. Ah, memories! And who could forget the VCRs? They allowed us to record our beloved Saturday morning cartoons. I know I made good use of that feature. Alongside gaming and computers, we also enjoyed other tech marvels like Walkmans, Gameboys, and the advent of CDs.

Now, let's tackle that initial question. Am I a digital native or a digital immigrant? Well, considering that the digital age was born in the '80s—the era in which my generation grew up—I'd like to think of myself as a digital native. However, don't get me wrong, we weren't as reliant on technology as the current generation is. We still engaged in activities that digital immigrants do now, such as jotting down information on paper, calling instead of texting, and spending hours playing outside rather than being glued to video games. So, in a way, my generation experienced the best of both worlds. We possess the ability to adapt and embrace the digital landscape while still appreciating the analog world.

Marc Prensky, in his enlightening article, highlighted the struggles of digital immigrant instructors who speak the language of the pre-digital age, attempting to teach a population fluent in an entirely new digital language. This resonated with me, as there were moments during my schooling when I felt disconnected from the material being taught. I used to believe there was something wrong with me, but reading Prensky's article, I now understand that the issue lay in the outdated learning systems employed by teachers. At times, I even found myself learning more from the video games I played than from my actual instructors. Now, as I observe my son facing similar challenges in school, I can't help but feel that the gap between digital immigrants and digital natives needs to be bridged. This new generation, the little ones, will undoubtedly be more fluent in the language of digital natives than any previous one. It's crucial for teachers to adapt and grasp this language, enabling them to better understand and connect with their students. As a temporary solution, I've made an effort to supplement my son's curriculum with a leapfrog game catered to his struggles, and it's incredible to see how he's excelling.

Reflecting on my digital journey, I prefer to identify as a digital evolutionist. I was fortunate enough to witness the birth of technology when it was still in its infancy. Over the years, I've watched in awe as it rapidly evolved. From the 16-bit wonders of Nintendo to the sleek and powerful PS5