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Let’s Talk Digital: Intergenerational Conversations about Technology
Keywords
Technology, Intergenerational Learning, Digital Immigrants/Natives
Session Abstract
Recognizing the many challenges that marginalized people face in accessing technology, this session will explore ways to blend the technological experiences of digital immigrants and digital natives through intergenerational learning to promote change.
Session Description
The purpose of this session is to discuss ways to assist marginalized people with limited access to technology. In 2001, Mark Prensky defined digital natives as a generation born after 1980 that grew up in the digital era of computers, video games, cell phones, and the internet (Ch’ng, 2019). Conversely, Prensky defined digital immigrants as people born before the digital era that later adapted new technologies into their lives. Many current students were born around the same time this article was written. While the roles of digital immigrants and digital natives are clearly defined in this article, this study explores the idea that these two groups have much to share with each other. This round table will explore ways that digital immigrants who, as professionals who have spent their careers in the technology industry, can share their expertise with digital natives through an intergenerational learning framework. At the same time, the reverse can occur. Through shared dialogue and a reciprocal learning process, each generational group can acquire interpersonal skills and technical knowledge that offers opportunities to work towards decreasing inequities within our society.