Bridging the Gap between Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants

 

Nelson, M. (2012).Review of Deconstructing Digital Natives: Language Learning & Technology.16, (3), 35-39. Retrieved October 2012 from http://IIt.msu.edu/issues/october2012/reviewI.pdf

     In his Review of Thoma’s (2011) Deconstructing Digital Natives, Nelson (2012) analyses a book edited by Thomas (2011). To begin with, Nelson (2012) describes the book as a collection of critical scholarly points of view on the concept of “digital native” a concept opposed to the idea of “digital immigrant”. To describe both concepts, the author resorts to Prenky’s ( 2001) definitions ( as cited in Nelson, 2012).

      In relation concepts previously mentioned, Nelson (2012) goes on asserting that “Deconstructing Digital Natives presents what is arguably the most comprehensive, nuanced treatment to date of these complex, impassioned debates” (p. 35). In addition to this, Nelson (2012) explains how the book is organized, how the chapters are divided. He also mentions how the sections are named and who the authors of the work compiled are, providing a summary of the main issues dealt with in each part.

     Before concluding his review, Nelson (2012) criticizes the layout of the book and the index stating that images should have been included so as to facilitate the analysis and that a more organized index would have been profitable. Finally, he concludes stating that not only “scholars, university students, teachers and policy makers” (p. 38) may be interested in the book, but also “all those who regard the metaphorical digital chasm between digital natives and digital immigrants” (p. 38). 

 

 

References

Nelson, M. (2012). Review of Deconstructing Digital Natives: Language Learning & Technology.16, (3), 35-39 Retrieved October 2012 from http://IIt.msu.edu/issues/october2012/reviewI.pdf