I’m considered to be at the upper limit of the “digital native” population. I don’t know that I agree with that as I typically will tell people I’m a baby geek or a wannabe geek.
My parents would disagree since I’m the one who more often than not solves their tech problems or teaches them how to use certain technological advances. This would make them “digital immigrants”, although I suspect they’re about as close to that term as I am to the digital native one. (Love you, Mom!)
We’ve been at odds for some time over the role technology should play in our lives. I practically live on my computer if I’m near it. I have a laptop so I can just pack it up and take it with me. I want a PDA so I can be mobile without the cumbersome nature of the laptop (and so I can write rather than type all the time. The tablet PC just doesn’t appeal to me…) My parents turn on this computer once or twice a day, use it for a specific task for a short period of time, and then turn it back off.
Now, why have I painted this picture of the generation gap between me and my parents? Because I think this article on digital pioneers is an interesting one.
Part of what it describes is mis-generalization of the terms “digital native” and “digital immigrant”. It also talks about the “digital native’s” reliance on oral listening for their learning needs. I find that generalization really interesting. While we are completely bombarded by sound in our culture, we are also bombarded by images and print. I think the learning modalities are still valid.
So, rip, remix, burn…but do it with all learning modalities in mind.
