“Literacy: Are Today’s Youth Digital Natives?”

In chapter 7 of “Literacy: Are Today’s Youth Digital Natives?”

Prensky discusses his views of digital native and digital immigrants. I must say that from an educator’s point of view lots of assumptions were made about young people in the true meaning of the terms. People who spend most of their life with a computer or digital device, including social media are said to be digital natives. This outlet is most accessible to them to make them a digital native because they have mastered its use. They may be fluent on how to use the outlet that they are using but lack creative ways of using it because they may not be digital literate. Like learning to read, if fluency is not developing in reading then one's literacy level is said to be low. That said, being a digital native means proficiency in the use of technology through the use of it in creative ways that expand from its simplicity in use, to more complex use. In regards to the digital immigrant being an adult learning to use digital technology, computer and the internet, a person can develop with practice the skills needed to become a digital native. It should not matter when the person started using the outlet because they can learn to be fluent in technology as a native who was born to it.

Boyd states that digital native in its true meaning takes time and practice just like reading for comprehension. The term could place those who do not have access at a disadvantage, due to lack of resources. It also makes those who do have the resource believe that they are digital natives, when in fact they lack fluency in understanding the outlet that they are using.

Access to digital literacy, like quality education, depends on government policies, which means that many people will continue to be marginalized because they are not actively learning every day using technology. Daily use of technology allows people to complete complex tasks. The level of comprehension of digital platforms and understanding of how to use them effectively should be key in developing fluency and not age.