As I think about the differing technological skillsets of digital natives and digital immigrants like me, I've often wondered how far ahead of us the natives are. Just where are the children in their use of todays new technologies? An old email from my eleven year old nephew, Evan, reminded me that they are far ahead of us. Click on the link to view a website Evan and his two friends created for "fun." They are using it to promote their 21st Century "lemonade stand" called Hummerghini. The interesting part of the site is the Facts/Info link where you can read their blog. My sister and I added the two comments. The boys' response will make you laugh. Where are the children? The children are miles ahead of us. We need to be about the business of sharpening our skills so we can guide them along the way. (And they do need guidance. My sister was appalled to see her real phone number listed on the site!)
http://www.hummerghini.webs.com/
16 years ago
your post makes me think of the reaction students often have when a teacher who is dipping their foot into the digital playground receives from their students. i remember hearing students mock a teacher's effort to use a blog in the classroom because it was so exciting and new to the teacher, but so 'last week' to the students. so i think you're right, that gap widens with each passing week that we wait. the great part about the idea of embracing technology is that once you do, your knowledge and subsequent practices grow exponentially, so the gap narrows much more quickly. i checked the website, they look like some pretty industrious kids. good call on the 'needs guidance'.
ReplyDeleteThe web site is quite the industrious, digital native endeavor. It's neat that they feel empowered to publish for all the world to see - although the home phone numbers are TMI for the world to see. I'm wondering as we get more up to speed on blogging and creating our own digital footprints if that will make it less intriguing for the digital natives? You know how the new generation always likes to feel it's leaving the olders behind? I guess we'll never get all the way caught up to them, but we can always empower them to be our teachers.
ReplyDeleteYour nephew and his friends have definitely left us in the dust. Kids just have a greater grasp of technology. Their curiousness inspires them to create and try something new. Unlike us - we're inhibited by our preconceptions and fears.
ReplyDeleteI remember a couple of years ago when one of my kindergarteners rotated the screen 180 degrees. A parent came over to help put the screen back to its original set-up. Having worked for IBM for 14 years did no good as he too couldn't fix the inverted screen. Seeing the panic, my kindergartener finally came forward and admitted that he did it and easily restored the image back to its original position just by pressing ctrl + alt and the arrow keys. how insane! Both the parent and I couldn't believe that a 5 year old got the better of us!
It's always a delight to see 5 and 6 year olds showing adults how to work their phones. Navigating and finding all the special features is like second nature to them.
ReplyDeleteDue to McAfee, I couldn't fully navigate Evan's website. From past stories, I know he will use technology to go to many new and exciting places.
I have to admit that my oldest daughter is smarter than me when it comes to technology and that use to be a-oh-kay with me a few months ago. But after learning that I was a digital immigrant, and with the support of Dan, I showed her something that even SHE didn't know on the computer. She patted my hand, and said, "Mom, I am proud of you!" What a role reversal!
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