Prensky Articles

“Over 10,000 hours playing video games, over 200,000 emails and instant messages sent and received; Over 10,000 hours talking on digital cell phones; Over 20,000 hours watching TV (a high percentage fast speed MTV), over 500,000 commercials seen- all before kids leave college” (DNDI2, 1). In his 2001 article, Prensky helps us open our eyes to what the world is becoming right around us. This is our future way of learning and in order to relate to our students, we need to adapt to them and teach this way. “Today’s students-K through college- represent the first generation to grow up with this new technology” (DNDI2, 1).

I consider myself a digital immigrant but becoming a native. I’ve used computers my whole life but it wasn’t until middle school that I really was on my computer constantly. However through the popularity of cell phones and text messaging I have started to become more digital savvy. I have had experience with some social networking sites but I’m realizing that there is more out there for me to learn.

In my school experiences, during school time I was on a computer about 3 hours a week at the most. I was however expected to type out papers at home as well as research. Once I got to college, everything was computer based. I felt like my computer was my lifeline and it still is. Since computers have become a big part of my learning I think it would be hard to learn without them.

Because I have grown up in the era where technology and computers are becoming more useful to students and teachers in the classroom I believe that I can understand both sides of the argument when it comes to certain forms of technologies. For instance, with cell phones, I understand from the instructor’s point that cell phones can definitely be a distraction in the classroom. However, cell phones are truly computers and students can use them to help out in the classroom.

Teachers have the final say in which teaching style they are going to use. In a second article, Mark Prensky (2001) states that he hears a lot of excuses from teachers saying “this approach is great for facts, but it wouldn’t work for my subject” (DNDI, 6). He is providing the research to close the gap between students and teachers.


Prensky, Mark. (2001, October). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. On the Horizon (Vol.9,
No.5, pp. 1-5). MCB University Press.

Prensky, Mark. (2001, December). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants Part 2: Do they really
think Differently? On the Horizon (Vol. 9, No. 6, pp.1-9). MCB University Press.

Introduction

Meghan Gendron
MS/HS Health or Math
Monkey