Without giving references to articles or websites, write five blog entries which creatively describe the digital technologically imbricated world (or not) of:
The oldest digital native you know.
A digital native is someone who has grown up in the technological world, which is presumed as someone who was born after 1980, someone who is 29 or younger now. However, the oldest person I know who I would class as a digital native due to their ability and ease with technology is 49 years old.
I think of this person as a digital native as they have more knowledge about technology than I do, they use the internet many things including shopping and communication via a blog and social networking page, have the latest technological gadgets such as a BlackBerry and iPod, and have a very good knowledge about computers. In fact, I think this person couldn’t live without technology even though they have experienced life without the things they have now.
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I both agree and disagree here. I believe what Prensky was getting at with his theory is the clear division of generations, so a person is either old enough to be a digital immigrant, or young enough to be a digital native, I do not believe he was setting this theory down so that it could have separate cases of older people being much more in tune with digital technology. However, saying that I agree with you completely that there are these people, I know many older people who are much better at using a computer than myself. I do think in this respect Prensky's theory is dated as it does not seem to look at these different cases, what are your thoughts on this?
ReplyDeleteI think in regards to age, a digital native is one that was born in the current digital age. However, I see the learning of technology to be considered a language. Just because you are not from Spain doesn't mean you can't learn Spanish. Also, just because you take Spanish lessons doesn't mean you'll ever speak fluently. It depends on the person, how receptive they are to technology and also how much they are willing or unwilling to take on these new ideas. I don't think it can ever be a straight case of 'they can' and 'they can't'.
ReplyDeleteI agree the strict boundaries seem to be ridiculous why should Prensky decide the line between being digitally able and not. Where is this boundary line?
ReplyDeleteOne thing that seems to be not taken into consideration is at all is the subject's willingness to learn technology. Some people just don't want to spend the time. Anything can be taught - how fluently you practise it however, is individual.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Tori said, that Prensky's theory doesn't look at these cases where older people, who should fall into the 'digital immigrant' are very comfortable, sometimes even more so than younger people, with technology. Looking back over my blog, I can see why Tori made the point about my described person not actually being a digital native, due to thier age. Prensky's theory is good, but needs drop the 'strict boundaies'. I think the boundary line in Prensky's eyes would be something to do with age - say people who are under 25 and over 25.
ReplyDeleteJoanne, your ideas about this being similar to learning a language but never being fluent are a good way of thinking about this subject - if people want to learn, then they can and its up to them how good they become.
Joanne, your point about the willingness to learn links with something I've already mentioned on one of Becky's other posts; I read an article by a woman (Can't for the life of me remember her or the aticle's name,) who suggested a third category alongside immigrants and natives; someone who has no time for technology, no desire to learn and views the whole thing in a bad light. I think this definition may be a bit strong however, but perhaps that's because I can't think of anyone who fits that description.
ReplyDeleteDo you guys know anyone like that?
I agree about that definition being quite strong, and i don't know anyone who fits the description although there quite possibly are people like that. People who do fall into that category would have to overcome many problems in everyday life, similar to the problems we have all come up with in the neo-luddite question.
ReplyDeleteI personally don't know anyone like this, however there are often television programmes (usually on channel 4), where there are types of people who don't like what society is turning into, therefore they go against it, by only eating food which they grow, don't own a TV or Radio because they think it will be a bad influence on their children etc... I can't think what the people are called but they are the equivalent to the American Amish people.
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