Digital Natives and Immigrants: What Brain Research Tells Us”

Introduction

The ‘digital natives’ a term coined to refer to the younger generation, who are the main target group for technological products, describes a group of young people who have been brought up in the digital era. In recent the past there has been a heated debate on whether prolonged exposure to technology has a significant impact on the brain development of young people. This claim is strongly refuted by, CITATION KHe09 l 1033 (K, 2009), who affirms that, science does not support this claim and, therefore, it is null and void. Notably, a clarification of this issue is a very essential aspect if a more pluralistic understanding of how and by what magnitude learners change in this digital age is to be established.

As a young person, technology has impacted my life in more positive than negative ways in the sense that, through technology I have mastered the art of effective multi-tasking, critical analysis of complex situations and proper and informed decision making. Moreover, technology has been a key facilitator of cohesiveness in my community, this is seen in the manner in which the older generation (‘digital immigrants’) are making efforts to fit into the digital age as a means to foster some sought of bond with their young ones.

One of the questions that the reading has raised for me is, whether redefining of the traditional modes of teaching into a more digital approach can make the learning process for we the ‘digital natives’ more effective. The author is very persuasive in defending this theory via her illustration, whereby; she confirms that the digital natives are seen to be more actively engaged while navigating web pages than while reading typed text. To find this central argument a persuasive view, the reader has to belief in the assumption that no amount of exposure to technology can alter how the brain of a young person is wired. The writer is trying to bring people to the realization that the technological revolution is not the enemy, rather, the resistance to change and adaptability is.

The writer appeals to reason by quoting results from credible research studies done by professionals in their respective areas of specialization. She uses her ethical appeal by highlighting the benefits of incorporation of technology in the traditional modes of teaching. She portrays how this will positively affect the ‘digital native’ learners. Additionaly, the writer uses the emotional appeals when she is lobbying for changes to stop blocking of sites that are useful to learners on the internet.

The synchronization of the appeal to reason, ethics and emotions in the author’s literature makes her argument seem credible and very persuasive to me.

REFERENCES

BIBLIOGRAPHY l 1033 K, H. N. (2009, December 9). Digital Natives and Immigrants: What Brain research Tells Us. p. 7.