E-learning and connectivity
Ongoing reflection makes me increasingly certain that it is the development of 'soft' skills that will enable both effective working and beneficial engagement with the connected economy.Discussion around the phrases 'digital natives' and 'digital immigrants' often leads to the conclusion that the generations growing up with connective technologies will have inherent ability when interacting with those technologies. I would propose that, in fact, whilst the digital native may be better equipped to navigate the connected resource, it is possible that the digital immigrant will have the advantage of accumulated life skills and academic maturity, thus being better able to deal with the potential knowledge base.
Of course, Dilemma Theory would propose that we look for the best of both worlds and thus as the age of the mature digital native approaches the arguement will cease to be of significant relevance - or will it?
posted by Jane @ 8:49 pm
5 Comments:
This is quite an interesting link:
http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf
And this link then challenges it!
http://www.nestafuturelab.org/viewpoint/art26.htm
Personally, I see the digital divide, or digital immigrants vs digital natives, as not a generational issue, but an attitudinal one. This may be more in line with Dan Pink's A Whole New Mind thesis, that design, synthesis & empathy are the required skills in a connected world.
I see what you mean Harold - - at least as much as is possible by reading an excerpt!
Jane - I can send you an executive summary (4 pages) of Pink's book if you like. Just pop me an e-mail.
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