Both articles were very interesting and so timely with regards to our upcoming personal technology narratives. They both are so intertwined, and I could relate to the various authors and participants through some of my own personal experiences as well as some of my students.
The generational piece fascinated me, and it’s an area that has so many components with educational as well as professional implications. I really enjoy watching the generations interact, especially when it comes to technology. In my experiences, the generations seem to expose their strengths and weaknesses with regards to technology, and through this they are able to really complement and help each other. On another level, I enjoy exploring how the generations relate to each other in the workforce and there assumptions about each other.
In the Hawisher and Selfe document, the two subjects were very fascinating in their analysis of their technology journeys with regards to literacy. I enjoyed how they both had different journeys, but the literacy was similar. It was neat how both participant’s view of their literacy encompassed both the general literacy and technology literacy.
I have often thought about the correlations, between the generations and technology. One generation is trying to catch up, while the other is waiting for next new thing. I consider myself to be in the later group, but I am sure my time is coming when I move to the first group. However, I think this process has been going on forever with advances in basic literacy to technology. I think at times we can also see where technology can make the various generations feel like they have more things in common.
Amy,
ReplyDeleteI wonder if, as we age, we start to look at technology differently. I am always waiting for the next new thing and can't imagine that changing as I get older. It will be interesting to track the speed and level of technological adoption as people age. Will those born surrounded by technology start to dismiss it as they enter old age? Or will those tech-savvy kids now still be hitting up the latest social networking fad when they're 80?
Or, as an example of the complete opposite: My grandfather grew up on a farm in rural Alberta with pretty much nothing that didn't come off the land. Today, at 82, he is on Facebook, Skype, email, etc., and part of a Seniors Action Group that works with local youth to discuss technology adoption and use in daily life.
Amy,
ReplyDeleteI have also wondered about the correlations between generations and technology. As I mentioned in my blog post for the week, my grandpa actually pioneered the computer science program at UW-Whitewater, but in his later years I was actually helping him set up a yahoo mail account and figure out how to book his next cruise online. He was always very open to using the technology, but using the web wasn't second nature to him as it was for me.
While I do find a little truth in your words, "One generation is trying to catch up, while the other is waiting for next new thing," I think it is a gross over-generalization. My dad is much more technically literate than the bulk of my traditionally-aged students. He blogs, Skypes, Facebooks, etc, and I know plenty others his age, 65ish, who do as well. On another classmate's blog, I noted that the average age of a tweeter is in the 30's. I would also bet that the average age of Apple's early adopters is in the mid 30s.
ReplyDeleteI consider myself to be in the waiting for the next big thing category. However, that doesn't mean I'm going to go out and buy it right away. I can see my parents being in the trying to catch up category. My dad has two Ipods, one being an IPod touch. I'm happy with my IPod Nano second generation. My dad also knows more about Itunes than I do. When it comes to other technologies I tend to be the more knowledgeable one.
ReplyDeleteHello Amy,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post. With the constant changing of technology, I seem to be the one always trying to get caught up, not necessarily with all of the gadgets however, I do own my share. My concerns are much more related to teaching and working with my students. There is still a vast contrast with the students' technical literacies as they enter my classroom.
On a different note, I'm torn when we talk about computer literacies, because, it varies so much in very many ways. I have many friends, my age, who've never owned a computer, have found no reason to use the internet, and live very successful, productive lives. On the other hand, my parents who are in the their 70s and retired, are up on all of the social networking, and always exploring new programs to suit their interests.
It's interesting to me that you write, "I enjoyed how they both had different journeys, but the literacy was similar." I wonder if this is because these students both worked with the researchers in this way and how the literacy might differ in another classroom or work experience.
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