DIGITAL IMMIGRANT OR NATIVE?

      We always knew that time creates generational gaps.  This issue has caused struggles between parents and children, as well as between teachers and students from the very beginning. But now, we are facing a phenomenon that has no precedents: the arrival of digital technology in the last decades of the 20th century.

    This phenomenon gave birth to a whole new generation called “Digital Natives”. According to Marc Prensky, Digital Natives “represent the first generation to grow up with new technology. They have spent their entire lives surrounded by and using computers, videos games, digital music players, cell phones, and all other toys and tools of the Digital Age.”  Those who weren’t born in this digital world and are trying to adapt to it, are called by Prensky “Digital Immigrants”.

 What if we had to place ourselves under one of these labels?  Even though we grew up surrounded by technology we perceive some differences between us and younger Digital Natives.  A decade ago, technology was available only for those who had the necessary resources, but nowadays, people from different social classes can easily access to it. What’s more, they represent the first generations to grow up with this new technology.
      So we could say that Digital Natives are constantly evolving with technology, and we as teachers need to be ready to keep up with these new cultural changes. As it is unlikely that newcomers adapt to the old-fashioned methods of teaching-learning, it is our duty to find new ways to narrow the generational gap. Teaching students who are used to access to information instantaneously with what Prensky calls “the step by step” logic, might be a difficult task.

     Virtual games, digital texts, videos, interactive activities, are just some examples of all the things that can be done in the classroom to make it more motivating and appealing for students. The truth is that no matter the techniques that you may implement in teaching, the more we embrace new technology, the more connected we will be with our students. 

    Now, we would like to share with you an APP that you could easily use in the classroom.

In fact, one of us did it and it worked extremely well. Students love each opportunity they have to use their cellphones, so why don't we see that as way of both, motivating and teaching them? Take a look at Duolingo, an App that allows you to learn different languages through interactive activities that actually make you feel you are playing a game. Besides, you can practice listening, speaking and writing skills, and the best of all: it's FREE! and you can downloaded through Google Play from your mobile phone. Give it a chance and let us know how it worked for you!