I am very much a digital native. Even though I am at the older end of the
digital natives, nearly all of the descriptions and uses of technology described
in our readings ring true. I am on some sort of electronic device for most of
my waking hours, have multiple devices that I use daily, am an early adopter of
almost all current popular social media sites, have a number of online-only
friends, rarely make telephone calls, and produce a podcast with my husband. I
was heartbroken when I found out Google Reader was going away because that is
how I start and end every day (I have since switched to Feedly). For most of
these tools, I use them for personal and professional reasons. My colleagues at the library are constantly
amazed that I can pick up any device and figure it out within minutes (and
annoyed that I customize the appearance to my liking at every workstation I
use). So most of the information in the readings wasn’t really new to me,
though I was fascinated by the physical changes this produces as outlined on
the Digital Natives Map.
That being said, I see the digital divide in action every
day at the library. Prensky (2006) states that, “technology changes very
quickly and the Natives are programmed to – and want to – keep up with it,”
while “to Digital Immigrants, some of these new norms and behaviors (…) will
seem really strange” or “forever remain out of reach and impossible to master”
for them. (p. 51) When I am teaching a teenager how to use a database to find
information or how to download library books on their tablet, the whole process
tends to go much more smoothly than when I am teaching a retiree the same
things. I even find it difficult to describe some things to digital immigrants
that are just so second nature to me and a part of my thought patterns. I really
think a large part of the difficulty for digital immigrants stems from not just
the digital language barrier, but from a sort of fear, sometimes because they
are afraid to make an irreparable mistake. Digital natives, on the other hand,
know that there’s almost nothing you can do on a device that can’t be undone
and so feel free to play around and experiment with any new tool that comes
along and mold it to their needs. It seems to me that one of the most important
things a teacher can do now for students is teach them how to use that innate playfulness
to educate themselves.
Digital Natives Map: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/digitalnation/extras/digital_native.html
Prensky, M. (2006). The emerging online life of a digital native. "Don't bother me Mom, I'm learning!": how computer and video games are preparing your kids for twenty-first century success and how you can help! (pp. 40-51). St. Paul, Minn.: Paragon House.
Hi Hayley,
ReplyDeleteSpeaking from a digital immigrant's perspective, at least for me, it's not fear of technology or of "breaking" something, it's more frustration. My brain just doesn't think the same way as a digital native, and things just aren't intuitive for me. I get frustrated when it takes me so long to figure something out. It is not really fun for me to sit down with some type of new technology and play around with it. I much prefer to sit down with someone who knows how to use it, and have them show me the basics first. Then, I will play around, but I want that someone close by, in case I run into a problem and can't get something to work! That someone is usually my husband, and although he is a digital immigrant, he is very comfortable with computers and technology. But lately, I can ask my kids if I need help :) My kids are the same as you with new technology: fearless!
I agree with you! I am in my mid twenties so by many standards a digital native so I think there is a confidence (or at least the shame that I should know these different technologies!) that goes along with growing up with technology. It is made to be intuitive but I think that it is intuitive for those who have grown up with technology similar to it. As each new form of the iPhone comes out, they make small changes but the general format is the same. Facebook is the same way-- with each update to my phone something looks different in the interface but the functions are still as I know them. My mom really struggles with this because she says that as soon as she learns technology one way, there is a software update and she can no longer find her way around! Unless you have the basic knowledge of technology, the intuitive design is lost in the complexity of the overall program!
DeleteInteresting point, Lana. There's been some interesting research presented about the brains of digital natives - are they wired differently? Might be something worth checking into. Or perhaps it's not an age thing, but the way in which we are wired as individuals. I, too, can pick up any device and figure it out within minutes. Though I'm not technically a native, I've very drawn to technology. I once heard that digital immigrants prefer to read the directions first before they begin, and digital natives like to jump in and figure it out as they go. Not sure how valid that argument truly is, but it's interesting nevertheless.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, no matter how tech savvy I am, I HATE those Captcha things. I fail every time. #fail
ReplyDeleteYou and me both! I much prefer the ones that use an audio clip or simple math problem.
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