"The digital natives argument also overstates the differences between generations, and understates the diversity within them."
I thought this was an interesting quote because there are many digital immigrants that are just as good or better users of digital media as the natives. In fact, it is hard not to notice that the immigrants are often the ones teaching the higher levels of digital media to natives.
Chapter 1:
"Bennett, Maton, & Kervin (2008; see Chapter 11, this volume) have rightly described the mood of such passages as increasingly akin to a form of “moral panic,” in which the differences between young people have been eradicated and they all appear to have been born with the same potentially transformative powers: digital natives are problem-solvers; they have new expectations; they invent new processes; they don't only work for an organization, they think of work as play; they are enthusiastic and skillful."
This is a bit of a long quote, but does present a very good point. Not all digital natives are good with digital media and use it for all its potentially that we see. Just because we can see how this technology can revolutionize how a person solves problems and goes about thinking, doesn't mean they are going to.
Chapter 2:
"Digital wisdom is a twofold concept, referring both to wisdom arising from the use of digital technology to access cognitive power beyond our innate capacity and to wisdom in the prudent use of technology to enhance our capabilities."
I found the concept of digital wisdom to be interesting that it was a twofold concept. The first part makes me think of a cyborg, where humans have adapted pieces of technology to increase the physical limitations of their body. The second part is the actual process behind thinking that that type of enhancement is a logically sound idea. I know that is referring to using digital technology as more of a learning tool and how to use that technology to the extent of its potential, but if we go a step further, the prior may not be too far-fetched.
Chapter 3:
"Technological changes consequent on the development of the Internet have been linked to cooperative and collaborative forms of learning for many years."
This quote is under the Collaborative Learning section of the chapter and it caught my eye because it seems like I use this type of collaboration everyday. If I am at work or just doing a homework assignment, collaborating through email, texting, or some other sort of messaging system I am usually somehow collaborating with someone else to finish what I started. This extends to even getting back on track when I am not sure what to do on a particular assignment. Now I can just send an email that someone will more than likely see in less than 30 minutes that I will receive a reply. No more arranging times to meet or waiting until you see the person again to get back on track. Technology has made it where a team of people can be working on the same project at the same time and everyone can see what the others are doing. We have come a long way in technology and how we get hings accomplished. With this technology we are able to get more tasks completed in a shorter amount of time. It is truly an enhancement for the workforce and learning community.
Has my thinking changed?
After the foreword and chapter one there is more to think about. I guess that I was just more optimistic with my first opinion, but now reality is starting to creep its way in. Instead of a complete change I will go with just a shift in my opinion. Digital natives might not all use technology to increase their learning abilities in the way I want them to, but the ones that do have an edge. It is not all about the natives though, the digital immigrants can also have the same edge by using this technology. In other words, the segregation of the two types of users is irrelevant and the one that uses the technology gains the edge.
Visual Metaphor:
A Digital Native is Born
A digital native is only defined as a person typically born after 1980. This is the only factor needed to categorize a person into that field. Though it does not describe the technological abilities of the native, they are still a native to the new world of technology. Immigrants can still survive and even surpass natives, but they might have to work harder to get to that point.
Sean-
ReplyDelete"In other words, the segregation of the two types of users is irrelevant and the one that uses the technology gains the edge."
This comment sticks out to me. I both disagree and agree with it at the same time.
I disagree with the first half about the segregation is irrelevant. I think that it is very relevant is different aspects of todays society. The example that comes to my mind is when applying for a job. It seems to me that employers want young, fresh minds when it comes to technology. Not necessarily someone who is 'dated' in technology use.
I agree with the second half about who uses technology will gain an edge. There are some younger people who don't like all the new emerging technology and who definitely don't know about it or use it. In contrast, there are older folks who are all over the newest form or technology and who know/use a lot of different forms of it.
I do believe that, regardless of age, whomever has a technology based mindset and puts these different forms of technology to use, has an edge in todays rapid growing/changing technology world.
Overall, I like your thoughts and comments, and your picture caption is very interesting and fits perfectly with the readings!
-Amanda
I really enjoyed reading your post. You brought out some things that I really didn't think of. What I liked in the forward that you said was that their are digital immigrants just as good at using digital technology as digital natives. You are right about a digital immigrant maybe working harder to learn the technology.I also loved your visual metaphor. It was spot on and how a digital native is only from the 1980s to the present.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSean, I like the fact that you illuminated the digital native who does not use digital media as we would like for them to. Many students misuse the technological advances at their disposal and in turn make it more difficult to implement in an everyday classroom. Although it creates extra hurdles to jump over in that aspect, I like the fact that these devices are both play and professional. If it weren't useful for recreational use, would kids want to pick them up as frequently? Many students are playing on social media on their phones, which contains news outlets disguised as play. I like that information is reaching the child that would otherwise never pick up a newspaper. Great blog!
ReplyDeleteSean,
ReplyDeleteIt was great reading your post and made me think of digital natives vs digital immigrants in a different way. Looking at people my own age, I see that everyone is really good with technology and likes to utilize it as much as possible. I also know that I can't just consider and look at the people that I know. I know older people that hate using technology and try not to use it at all, but I also know others that like to use it all of the time and are always teaching others how to use different resources. Thanks for making me think in a different way.
Sean, I enjoyed reading your interpretation of the chosen quotes. I, too, highlighted your Chapter 2 quote. Digital wisdom is going to change our species immensely.
ReplyDeleteYour visual metaphor is excellent--I didn't think to do something like that.
I agree with your thoughts on how the digital immigrant is not necessarily born knowing "all things digital." They still need to be taught how to utilize this technology to its fullest potential.