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Theoretical Perspectives of How Digital Natives Learn

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  • Charles Kivunja

Abstract

Marck Prensky, an authority on teaching and learning especially with the aid of Information and Communication Technologies, has referred to 21st century children born after 1980 as ‘Digital Natives’. This paper reviews literature of leaders in the field to shed some light on theoretical perspectives of how Digital Natives learn and how we can use that knowledge to facilitate learning by Digital Natives. To locate this understanding within the context of general Educational Theory, the paper first presents a brief historical review of the foundational educational theories on how people learn. It then discusses some of the contemporary theories on how Digital Natives learn. Out of these two bodies of knowledge the paper synthesizes an understanding of principles, strategies and practices that we could use to effectively teach Digital Natives and facilitate their learning. It is my hope that this review will help readers develop a deeper understanding of how learners of the digital generation learn and how we can design our pedagogical principles and practices to better meet the needs of the digital learners in our teaching contexts today.

Suggested Citation

  • Charles Kivunja, 2014. "Theoretical Perspectives of How Digital Natives Learn," International Journal of Higher Education, Sciedu Press, vol. 3(1), pages 1-94, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:jfr:ijhe11:v:3:y:2014:i:1:p:94
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Jang, Moonkyoung & Aavakare, Milla & Nikou, Shahrokh & Kim, Seongcheol, 2021. "The impact of literacy on intention to use digital technology for learning: A comparative study of Korea and Finland," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(7).
    2. Emanuela Gemelli & Eva Olmedo-Moreno & à lvaro Manuel Úbeda-Sánchez & Clemente Rodríguez-Sabiote, 2024. "Bibliometric Study of Scientific Output Between 2011 and 2020 Regarding Teaching-Learning of the Sciences Through Comic Books," SAGE Open, , vol. 14(1), pages 21582440231, February.
    3. Charles Kivunja, 2014. "Do You Want Your Students to Be Job-Ready with 21st Century Skills? Change Pedagogies: A Pedagogical Paradigm Shift from Vygotskyian Social Constructivism to Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Siemens’ Digital Connectivism," International Journal of Higher Education, Sciedu Press, vol. 3(3), pages 1-81, August.
    4. Dana Craciun & Madalin Bunoiu, 2019. "Digital Comics, a Visual Method for Reinvigorating Romanian Science Education," Revista romaneasca pentru educatie multidimensionala - Journal for Multidimensional Education, Editura Lumen, Department of Economics, vol. 11(4), pages 321-341, December.
    5. V. Bazylevych & V. Osetskyi & I. Tatomur, 2019. "Conformity of Higher Education with Requirements of “Digital Natives”," Вестник Киевского национального университета имени Тараса Шевченко. Экономика., Socionet;Киевский национальный университет имени Тараса Шевченко, vol. 1(202), pages 6-13.
    6. Charles Kivunja, 2015. "Innovative Methodologies for 21st Century Learning, Teaching and Assessment: A Convenience Sampling Investigation into the Use of Social Media Technologies in Higher Education," International Journal of Higher Education, Sciedu Press, vol. 4(2), pages 1-1, May.
    7. Joke Matthieu & Laura Jacobs & Matthias Van Campenhout & Stefaan Walgrave, 2026. "Voting Advice Application Use Increases Party Position Knowledge: An Experimental Study Among Belgian Youngsters," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 14.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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