Digital learners and the overlapping of their personal and educational digital engagement

Current K-12 students are considered digital learners because technology is as pervasive in their academic world as in their personal lives. Technology enthusiasts argue that these learners are the “digital natives” having sophisticated technology knowledge and skills that can be potentially harnessed for better learning engagement inside the classroom. This phenomenological study investigates how some current high school students as the digital learners engage with technology at home and school; and how these two types of engagement overlap in their learning inside the classroom. Data were gathered from phenomenological three series in-depth interviews with five participants and also field observation. Findings show that the overlap between the personal and educational digital engagement(s) of these students was not necessarily positive as portrayed by the prevalent discourses of technology enthusiasts. The overlapping had mixed roles – facilitative as well as obstructive. Pedagogical and future research implications are discussed. •We examined some current K-12 students considering them as digital learners.•Explored learning engagement with technology across home and school contexts.•We found two types of digital engagement: Personal and educational.•There was an overlap between the personal and educational digital engagement.•The overlapping had mixed roles – facilitative as well as obstructive.