Monday, September 28, 2009

Palfrey and Gasser reading response

Another interesting topic, the Introduction of Born Digital, highlights and characterizes the major groups of the digital world. Focusing on the pros and cons of either group, the article brings attention to the split of knowledge of those capable and incapable of performing various computing tasks.
Obvious from the perspective from which the authors, Palfrey and Gasser, write from, it seems as if they’re speaking to digital natives. Beginning with the introduction where they write, “you seem them everywhere, the teenage girl with the ipod..” it’s obvious the writer likely wasn’t cultured during our digital revolution. Another example, Palfrey and Gasser write, “all of them are digital natives, they were born after 1980..” Once again, the reader can deduct from the author’s writing perspective, Palfrey and Gasser are definitely writing to their fellow digital immigrants.
Directed towards parents, educators, and caregivers of all sorts, the book is writing to the digital immigrants. Made obvious from select language such as, “our children” and “they”, (in reference to the digital natives) the author attempts to persuade the digital immigrants to productively use the digital natives’ technological skills.
I feel like the authors accurately categorized the two groups. Comparing those computer literate and illiterate with words that perfectly contrast each other. The terms, “digital native” and “digital immigrant” grant the reader further insight as to what the given group is capable of. Like and immigrant to a country, the digital immigrants are oblivious to most customs and regularities, while the digital natives are rounded to their culture - or in this case, technology.
Finally, accurately composed, I found myself drawing parallels with that of a digital native. Reminiscing of days when I was the one who would refrain from dinner because of an interesting conversation I may be having on AIM , or text messaging while eating, I can clearly identify myself a digital native.

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