I think the oldest digital immigrant I know is my grandad, who is about seventy years old. He lives in Spain and is constantly in touch via email, and has a laptop in his house. He also has Sky television in his house, which is obviously a big step for someone who as a child never even had a TV. He also has a mobile phone (admittedly, he does struggle to use it sometimes) and last time he visited he had an mp3 player, even though this was filled with classical music and audio books, it is still fairly modern. I think he is the perfect example of digital immgration.
The oldest digital native I know, I believe, are us; our generation. As I constantly see adults struggling with modern technology. Not necesarily the technology (for example, they know how to work mobile phones) but they fail to see the relevance they have in our lives (my mum does not understand why I text "constantly" or need an iPod than holds more than a 100 songs). My mum's boyfriend would probably describe himself as a digital native as he runs and designs websites for Halifax Bank, however mp3 players baffle him. I believe this is the perfect example and reason why no one, especially the older generation are digital natives.I believe that soon we will all have to be digital immigrants as we have to get used to new and improved technology, and how we use this technology and its relevance will be different for everyone and every genertation.
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In what ways do you think your Grandad still shows his 'accent' that makes him a DI rather than a DN?
ReplyDeleteAlso....I like your last points that eventually we will all be immigrants and not natives. I think it's very true that with such fast moving technology we can't remain natives for long...a year or so at most? and this still depends on what technologies are used to class us as DIs/DNs...surely noone is a DN for ALL technologies?
ReplyDeleteHe shows his accent by still seeing it as new and exciting. when he learnt the difference between downloading and uploading it was like Christmas for him.
ReplyDeleteI really really think that no-one can be DN for all technologies, especially as its changing so much and quick.
yeah I agree. Prensky doesn't rreally allow for those kind of things, he just gives the really rigid/unflexible definitions. I don't think i'm necessarily a native for many technologies, and will be for even fewer in the next few years.
ReplyDeleteI really do not think Im a native. Minus when it comes to the internet. I would like to think I understand most things to do with social networking/forums and so on. However, internet gaming and so on, baffles me and unless I suddenely get very interested in them...but then I would have to learn, and I presume I would keep my previous "accent".
ReplyDeleteNice thread!
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