The document challenges the common assumption that all digital natives are equally tech savvy and digitally literate. It argues that while digital natives have grown up in a technology-rich world, research shows their skills with information and communication technologies (ICT) can vary due to factors like gender, socioeconomic status, and cultural background. Specifically, males and females tend to use ICT differently, access and abilities correlate with socioeconomic levels, and cultural upbringing influences ICT skills.

1. Digital Natives: A DiverseDigital Natives: A Diverse
Group of LearnersGroup of Learners
Maranda Daniel

2. There is a common assumption that
the majority of ‘digital natives’ are
tech savvy and digitally literate just
because they have always lived in a
technology rich world their entire
lives.
THESIS: Digital natives, commonly described as a
homogenous group of people with advanced skills in
using information and communication technologies, are
not as innately tech savvy and digitally literate as initially
thought.

3. Supporting EvidenceSupporting Evidence
• Current research is beginning to discover that male and
female ‘digital natives’ use ICT differently and therefor are
competent in different uses.
• The socio-economic status of subjects in many of the most
recent studies influenced their ability to use ICT.
*ICT- Instructional and Collaborative Technology

4. Supporting EvidenceSupporting Evidence
• A person’s cultural/ethnic background affected the ICT
abilty of many ‘digital natives’.
• Lack of solid evidence that members of the net generation
can demonstrate visual literacy.
*ICT- Instructional and Collaborative Technology