Digital Immigrants, Digital Natives

What a way to categorise learners of before and of now that Prensky, Marc (2001) has written about.  I can relate to this and it's a bit scary. I would say that I am a immigrant having to learn a new language, but we can all learn from each other as both natives and immigrants have something good to contribute to learning.
While I do agree as an "immigrant" getting into teaching that we have to move with the times and include/adopt new strategies to reach these learners who have been brought up with text messaging, instant messaging, computer technologies and so forth - the content the same the approach differently. But in also doing so we don't need to "sell ourselves" over to their "wants" and "needs."  Reality is, yes communication is vastly different but we also have to consider that we are setting them up for the "real world"  of work that is, and life.  Consider the working environment in which they are transitioning to.  It still requires a lot of people skills, a certain language and appropriate behaviour, what is acceptable and what is not.  For example, in most jobs, it is not acceptable to text all the time during work hours, be on facebook communicating uinless that is on their job description and there are a lot more examples.  So yes, I believe we do need to take a differnet approach to learning to reach and engage students - but there needs to be a balance and that is what "immigrant" teachers can also impart.  "Native" learners need to be able to grasp foundational learning and life skills so they can cope later in life where not everything is instant, where if you take technology away will they know how to survive and so forth.  Without going too deep - I believe there needs to be a balance and to meet half way - before anyone needs to move forward they've got to go back before they can move forward - they got to know the foundations and know where it all comes from.
In saying all of that and without getting carried away, I am excited about learning to teach in this new era, and excited to hopefully see a change in schools with ICT - to holpefully engage and include all learners.