February 16, 2009
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Digital Natives
In our modern society, probably nothing is as divisive as the gap between those who live in the digital online world and those who either ignore modern communications or regard computers, cellphones, blackberries, etc. as simply tools to make life a little easier and things move a little faster.
The Digital Natives literally live in a very different world. Their world is one of constant information over-load, instant self-assertion, and bombardment of conflicting opinions. They are subject to continual assaults of malicious intent, an almost total lack of real privacy, the fact that their on-line activities are almost always permanently recorded for posterity, and where "All opinions are created equal" with little oversight or protection.
Digital Natives realize the almost unlimited expansion of creativity possible in their world and also tend to be fairly uncritical of information posted on their world's websites. This attitude coupled with a woeful lack of understanding of the boundaries, pitfalls, and possibilities of the digital world by teachers and other supervising adults (These Digital Natives tend to be born since 1980 and most are probably still in school) has led to confusion, conflict, and rejection of any supervision.
The digital Natives are suspicious of authority not their own, very aggressive in demanding "digital freedom" and contemptuous of all attempts to constrain their world.
We have the beginnings of a world of perfect Anarchy right in the midst of a "real" world which is becoming more and more regimented and regulated - at least I hope we have.
Comments (5)
I've linked you
I think you are saying that you hope we have the beginnings of perfect anarchy in the real world. Can you elaborate on this? Why do you want to see a state of anarchy in the world?
My reasoning is that we are in danger of becoming a stagnant over-regulated world and the individualism of the "Digital World" is a refreshing example of pure democracy. This is not to say that some protective regulation will not be required - but I think this will have to come from the DNs themselves. They don't trust authority - much as their parents were suspicious of "...anyone over thirty".
Some smart guys at the Harvard School of Education have latched on to this and are developing ways to teach teachers to understand and teach the DNs what they will need to know to integrate the two worlds.
Last night I had the opportunity to discuss the two worlds with a 19-year-old DN who is currently a Sophomore at a FL university majoring in Ed.
She graduated from HS last June, skipped her Frosh year, and is on a good scholarship so I would rate her as pretty bright. She will be a good teacher and is among the first to both be a member of and have specific training in how to deal with her fellow Digital Natives .
She was very surprised that I knew about and understood some of this world.
I suppose I consider myself at least an immigrant to the Digital World, but remember, when I was born broadcast radio was less ten years old.
Are you, or do you know any DNs? Of course you do, or you wouldn't be reading this
You make some very good points. I believe it was the impact of the digital world that helped President Obama succeed in his quest for the presidency. I get much of my news of the world via the internet/WWW.
Yes, many members of my family, both children and grandchildren are natives of the digital world, although most of my kids are pushing 50 or have passed it. The grandkids, of course, consider their cell phones to be an extension of themselves.
I had to become familiar with computers when my husband died and I had to go to work in the "real world." Once I did achieve some skill with computers, I endeavored to teach people, mostly women, about them and found that only a small percentage of women my age could understand this medium, even, sometimes when they said they wanted to. I went through a long period of being intensely interested in all new developments - new software and hardware, but eventually gave up on trying to keep up with everything. Now I can operate my computer, understand how to use certain softwares, but am not up on the virtues or faults of the latest developments. I only use my cell phone for the same purpose I use my landline phone and I'm signed up to take a class on how to use my digital camera.
The Web opens doorways to so much knowledge and interesting relationships, such as the one I have here in the Cafe. There are, to be sure, some shortcomings, such as the videos that have been posted on Facebook, and other such sites, of pet mutilations or beatings of one teenager by others. These incidents, I think, are a result of the failings of our society/parental oversite than any inherent faults in the programs themselves.
Like Soc, I too span the ages from no electricity or plumbing to the wonderful devices and systems we now enjoy. However, I remember a story I once heard where a woman who had all the "mod cons," asked her mother which appliance she liked having best, and her mother replied, "Running water." If all this should go away, I'd still feel fortunate if I could have running water!
I am enjoying being a partial member of the digital world. It does grant a sort of freedom that the natives of this world will have to decide how to use. It'll be interesting to watch, and, sometimes, take part in.
Peace, Annie
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