This document discusses the concepts of digital natives vs digital immigrants proposed by Marc Prensky in 2001, and the updated concepts of digital visitors vs digital residents proposed by David White. Digital natives are those born after the rise of technology who are fluent in its use, while immigrants had to adapt later in life. White argues this paradigm is outdated and instead proposes visitors use technology mainly as a tool, while residents integrate it more fully into social life and identity. The document questions whether these classifications are determined by age alone or other factors.

1. Digital Natives v.
Digital Residents

2. Marc Prensky coined the terms
@ Digital Native
@ Digital Immigrant
in 2001 to attempt to differentiate
between the types of digital
learners.

3. • Born into the age of technology
• Grew up interacting at a young
age
• Think and process information
differently
• Easy understand concepts
@ Digital Native

4. • Born before introduction of
digital tools/resources
• Have to adapt to this new
environment
• Retain an ‘accent’ from the past
@ Digital Immigrant

5. “Digital Immigrant instructors, who
speak an outdated language, are
struggling to teach a population that
speaks an entirely new language.”
@ Digital Immigrant

6. • Is really about age?
• You are either one or the other?
• Always have an accent?
• If you are an Immigrant, does this give
you an excuse not to use technology?
Digital Immigrant v. Digital Native

7. David White argues that the Digital
Native and Digital Immigrant
paradigm is outdated and doesn’t
account for the social web. He
suggests;
@ Visitors
@ Residents

8. • Use the web for social learning
• Use the web for many aspects
of their lives
• Develop an identity
• See the web as venue for
social life
@ Digital Residents

9. • Use the web as a ‘tool’ to
accomplish specific tasks
• Do not use the web for social
interactions
• See learning as a private
interaction
@ Digital Visitors

10. • Can you be both?
• Is it about age?
• What controls what you are?
• If you are a Visitor, do you have an
excuse not to use technology?
Digital Visitor v. Digital Resident