Topic 1 – Reflection Time

(Image Credits)

My comments on other pages: Zoey & Gin

Before attempting on writing topic 1 regarding digital visitors and residents. I did not have any prior knowledge about this terms. But after writing that blog post I realized how our interactions on the web can be categories under digital visitors or resident. As well as how the technology has evolve creating a platform for us to “live” on. After reading various post, most of my classmates identify themselves as both digital resident and visitor. As most of them do have social media accounts but do not constantly update and share their lives on the web. So are they residents or visitors?

Before Adelene’s comment, I did not understand the exact term when an individual is both a visitor and resident. Her question of classifying a internet user as a digital visitor or a resident; Set me thinking and I did some research which leads me to the VR (visitor and resident) map. According to the VR map which is a visitor/resident and personal/institutional axis. Based on particular activity or task it can be plotted into this axis. Some tasks are visitor/institution where as others are resident/personal. Therefore based on different situation we are digital visitors and residents at the same time. In the process of answering her questions, I learned something too.

Gin stated in her post about how her uncle when learnt about internet at a later timing as compared to herself and how her uncle is now more active on the internet as compared to herself. She highlights that it is the motivation behind learning and not the age or timing they learn it is important. I agree with her point as it is the individual’s learning attitude and ability that allow them to engage on the web.

Zoey states that due to the advancement of technology, her parent’s have started to adopt some practices such as interacting on social media (facebook) with their friends and colleagues. And even creating an “digital identity” online to connect professionally. I do agree that the environment and maybe the peer pressures have changed how we interact with one another.

In conclusion, I am glad to have the chance to share my opinions as well as to gain more insights from my fellow classmates.

Topic 1 – Digital Visitors or Residents

Today I will be discussing on 2 terms, digital “visitors” and “residents”. As well as to classify myself as a digital visitor or resident.

This term digital “visitors” and “residents” by White and Le Cornu(2011) was used to replace  the Prensky’s digital “native” and “immigrates”.

Based on the research I have done and my understanding of digital visitors they only go online for a specific goal or outcome using specific tools (computer, tablet or mobile). Examples of tasks includes researching for certain materials, performing transactions and checking for pricing. After completing these task, they will logoff. They are careful not to leave any social footprint online or develop a “Digital Identity”. As they value their privacy fiercely and they are afraid of issues such as identity theft. They feel that social media is egoistic they dislike the “broadcasting” nature.  But that does not mean that they do not use technology (email or Skype), they still use it as a tool to maintain relationship. Lastly they do their thinking and development of ideas offline, and do not belong to any online community. To conclude they see themselves as a user of the web and do not have high priority of belonging online.

On the other hand, digital residences are the complete opposites of digital visitors. They live parts of their lives online sharing information about their life and interest with people they might or might not know. They view internet as a place to express their views and create new relationship. They do have profiles on social media and is comfortable with developing and maintaining their online identity. Even after logging off they have left social presence, such as status update, blog post and blog comments. They also belong to several online communities in which they actively contribute to. In conclusion they see themselves as a member of the web and the web as a network.

Based on the following information I have gathered and understand, I personally feel that on different occasions I am both a visitor and a residence. For instances I am a visitor when sourcing for information to use for an academic essay. But I am a resident on social networking site such as Facebook and Tumblr. On Facebook, I share videos which are interesting with close friends and voice my opinion and comments on posts; on Tumblr I create and reblog content.

References

Tallblog.conted.ox.ac.uk. (2016). TALL blog » Blog Archive » Not ‘Natives’ & ‘Immigrants’ but ‘Visitors’ & ‘Residents’. [online] Available at: http://tallblog.conted.ox.ac.uk/index.php/2008/07/23/not-natives-immigrants-but-visitors-residents/ [Accessed 3 Nov. 2016].

Uoc.edu. (2016). Digital visitor or digital resident, how do you browse?. [online] Available at: https://www.uoc.edu/portal/en/uoc-news/actualitat/2016/086-visitant-resident-digital.html [Accessed 3 Nov. 2016].

White, D. and Le Cornu, A. (2011). Visitors and Residents: A new typology for online engagement. First Monday, 16(9).