I feel that the
different levels of technological literacy are directly correlated to the
generational gap. As many people know and understand, the majority of an
individual’s mental development occurs at a very young age. Therefore, I
believe it is safe to assume that the tools and objects that we consistently
interact with during our developmental periods greatly determine our ability to successfully use varying levels of technologically complex devices
and programs. Those who were introduced
to computers in their youth will most definitely become more knowledgeable with modern day applications than those who were limited to typewriters or even the dreaded pen
and paper.
As a result, new media illiteracies
are an inevitable nuisance for the majority of the mature population. Younger
brains are seemingly pre-loaded with a user guide for new technologies. It is
no coincidence that a teenager can troubleshoot most errors on a Windows
programs, while a middle-aged individual is more likely to call the helpline.
The generational gap in technology has simply caused a rewiring in the brains of
younger people. New media illiteracy is not a problem in my opinion. It is
simply a byproduct of changing times. Your greatest areas of technological
expertise always seem to come from tools that piggybacked your youth. I can
navigate my iPod just as well as my parent can play a vinyl, but the opposite
is not true. We just grew up in different times.
I think that if people older than our generation can learn how to use technology if they take the time to get to know it. It may not come as easy to them because they were not exposed to technology at a young age like us. However, I believe if people can adapt to the new technology as long as they are open to change.
ReplyDeleteAh, but... There is always a but. Is this a SKILL or a LITERACY? I think it's a skill. I think young people who figure out how to program, say, are learning a skill, but if they interact with others online to figure out how to troubleshoot errors, or know where to go to get expert advice (as they get more sophisticated), is one thing. To get wrapped up in all the social media distraction, and be really good at that, is another thing. The multitasking has a bigger impact on someone where their brain is still developing.
ReplyDeleteHow do you distinguish between a skill and media literacy?
Skill is something that is developed over time. Social media literacy on the other hand refers to someone's ability to understand and process information. A skill is related to a specific action. If a middle-aged woman and a 18 year old kid both use Facebook 10 hours a week for an entire year, they will both be proficient in the use of Facebook. Social Media Literacy is quite different in my opinion. If you take those same two individuals after the year of using Facebook and ask them to send and reply to Tweets on Twitter, I believe the 18 year old kid will be much more proficient. Their minds developed with the use of technology, and thus they are inherently more proficient in social media technologies.
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