“Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants: Some thoughts from the Generation Gap” Written by: Timothy VanSlyke

Author Marc Prensky’s article “Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants” is critiqued by author Timothy VanSlyke. In this article, VanSlyke looks at reasons why Prensky dubs the elder generation “digital immigrants” because of their lack of experience in the new technology that runs the current generation, and the “digital natives”, young children who have grown up with all the technology at their fingertips. Prensky goes as far as to explain how even the brain development of the two generations has begun to differ. VanSlyke counterargues Prensky’s premise by stating that he sees no possible way that the brain development of two generations can differ so greatly, and that there is not as much of a communication disability between the two generations as Prensky leads the readers to believe. VanSlyke also disagrees with Prensky’s stereotype of the typical child “glued” to the computer screen. Not all children of this generation stay entertained with technology. This to me is a very valid point by VanSlyke because of the fact that throughout Prensky’s article, he stereotypes children into being computer and game obsessed, when in reality many children still enjoy reading, writing, and doing other activities that do not involve technology. In the end, I agree with VanSlyke with his statements regarding how computers need to be facilitators in learning, not replacing teachers and the traditional methods we all have used.