When originally looking at the topic of digital visitors and digital residents, the subject
interested me due to the sheer familiarity of it. The idea of being a digital resident/visitor has always played on my mind and has been present in everyday life, although not
knowing an exact name for the theory to quite put my finger on. I grew up watching my mother thrive on
the internet, whilst my dad lacked the social prevalence to push forward and become an
everyday resident.
Reflecting on the work of others has accustomed me to the fact that being a resident or a
visitor is not something that you can necessarily place in a box,
although one may assume this is how the internet works in terms of today’s culture.
There is in fact a ‘spectrum’ on which we should be placed – something which can also be
seen floating around in discussions on other blog posts. One piece of research that
particularly interested me was that of Prensky – and his theory of the online accent that
some digital visitors hold. It’s an interesting comparison and contextual link between visitors to another country who hold a native accent, linking this to the internet and newbies
who are unfamiliar within the realms of online living.
To improve my next blog post I would like to include strong criticisms and questioning
undertones to my evidence – trying to bulk up the number of sources I use as well as
linking this to specific images or videos.
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Comments left on other student’s blog posts
Arthur Boulding –
Really interesting post -I enjoyed the references you made to Prensky’s idea of an online ‘accent’ that the digital
immigrants hold, a theory that contextually fits well within this topic, and something I
have often thought about (loosely) but never quite put a name to. I also picked up on the
fact you have used personal references to the visitors/residents spectrum about yourself,
which gives the blog post a personal feel that’s relatable to the reader. Your connotation of the online property market opened your blog post nicely, getting readers to think broadly
and inviting them to view the relevant content following on from an original idea you have created.
Allie Sadler –
Really enjoyed your first blog post Allie –your stance on the topic generates thought about whether the theory and its relevance
ought to be reviewed. I agree with you that personality should possibly be a more deciding factor, if the labels were to be given. I think you have thought about this in depth –you’ve made it critical in a non-critical way –adapting rather than harshly scrutinizing existing theory, such as that from White, and
relating it back to your creative idea of ‘digital no-man’s-land’. It’s difficult to find anything to critique within your post, all ground has been
covered well, with criticisms and images being used in an innovative way to link to your
own ideas.
Alice Bath - Blog 