Digital Native and Digital Immigrant

It is amazing the way technology has changed the world. Our country, culture and today’s generation is completely different from our predecessors. The new Digital era has changed the way students learn nowadays by stimulating them to create a strong bond with technology since they are toddlers. As a result of this, today’s students are growing up with a more expanded and open mind that leads them to see the world from a new perspective. The digital era has impacted society so abruptly that the population has been classified in two groups; Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants. 

When I was first introduced to these terms, I thought about a foreign nationality, language or culture. For this reason I immediately placed myself into the Digital Immigrant category. However, Native or Digital Immigrants has nothing to do with any demographic or ethnic group. A digital native is a person who was born after the introduction of digital technology after 1980. It could also refer to a “native speaker” of the language of technology. This means that such person is familiar with the use of electronic devices, social media sites, smart phones, or a tablet device to maintain contact with the outside world. According to the article “Are You a Digital Native or a Digital Immigrant?” by Brian Keith Sullivan, a digital Native could be classified into three sub-categories: 

Avoiders: People who do not want new technology in their lives. They are not excited about using Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media sites. 

Minimalist: This group is aware that digital technology is a part of their daily life. They choose to interact with only the most interesting things to them. For example, I am not a gamer, but I love Facebook and social media. However, I’d prefer to read a “physical” book rather than getting an electronic version of it through kindle, nook or an I-pad. It is more reliable for me if I have the book to make some annotations and highlight the quotes that I like. 

Enthusiastic Participants: This group is the largest group of Digital Natives. Enthusiastic Participants embrace and use all forms of digital technology. 

On the other hand, those individuals who were born before the digital era, that are unfamiliar with technology or had to adapt technology to their lives are better known as “Digital Immigrants”. For them the ultimate technology was radio, television, newspaper, books and magazines. In the same way Digital Natives are classified into three different groups, Digital Immigrant can be placed into the same groups as well: 

Avoiders: This group does not adapt to new technology quickly, if ever. 

Reluctant Adopters: This group is aware of new technology and adapt to it at a slow pace. For instance, my mother used to pay all her bill by writing out checks, and sending it back through mail. But with my help, she discovered that she can pay all her bills online. And even better, she can have all her bank statements online with the “go paperless” method. 

Eager Adopters: This group enthusiastically adapts to new technology. They embrace it. Ironically, these are the creators of the digital era. A perfect example of an eager adopter is the former co founder of Apple, Steve Jobs. He introduced the world to the most updated technology to make life easier and more accessible. 

Likewise, the revolutionary change of the digital era has impacted not only the world itself but also the education of this country. Today’s students spend more time using their electronic devices, navigating in the internet rather than studying. Students are multitasking which contributes to the decrease of their school performance. They become addicted to the social media and text messages. Today is really common to see students in a class room with smart phones, sending e-mails and text messages back and forth; some even take notes with their phones, I-pads and computers. In addition, they navigate in the internet and have many applications in their devices that allow them to expand their opportunities to multitask while the professor is teaching a course. According to Marc Prensky, the author of the seminal article “Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants”, “Today’s average college grads have spent less than 5000 hours of their lives reading , but over 10,000 hours playing video games and 20,000 watching TV”. The computers, text messages, internet, and video games are essential part of their lives. Because of this abruptly change in the digital environment today’s students have grown with a different method of learning and processing information from their predecessors. Marc Prensky believes that in order to have a more successful education system, the Digital Immigrants have to adapt their way of teaching to a new technological knowledge and skills of the digital natives and try to implement the method of learning that their students have in order to make the learning process interesting for them. 

Moreover, for toddlers technology is becoming the first nature as learning English. Infants learn to play games on computers and even learn how to properly use a computer sometimes faster than their parents. In the old days, mom and dad had to sit down with their children to teach them the basics of English and math before the infants could attend school. However, today, a computer seems to be the perfect tool for infants to learn. Perri Klass states in his article “Texting, Surfing, Studying?” that toddlers are growing up surrounded by the most updated technology. “And the question to the parents is how to introduce their children with technology, in a way that will not turn them into couch potatoes or video game junkies by age 4."

In conclusion, Natives and Digital Immigrants could be very different, but they could also have some similarities. Even though the digital era begun during the late 1980’s. In most of the cases, the “nationality” of a Digital Native or Digital Immigrant is based on the usage of technology in their lives rather than the time they were born. There is no doubt that technology has made our lives a lot easier. It has expanded our knowledge increasingly and it is still promising new advancements. I personally consider myself a minimalist Digital Native since I was growing up surrounded by computers but I am not a “victim” or a big fan of the ultimate technology. As a Digital Native, I could say that is so easy to get addicted to Social Media, Smart Phones features and Video games especially when you are a student. Therefore, the secret to maintain a good balance that allows to expand our horizon without being “technology-zombies” is by giving technology a proper use without forgetting about the old fashioned ways of learning.

Are you a Digital Native or a Digital Immigrant? 

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Top 5 Books You Must Read Before Your 30's

"Anyone that says they only have one life to live, must not know how to read a good book". Books are the only place where you can examine a fragile thought, an inconclusive idea, an unanswered question. They may have the "why's" of an enigmatic world including the strangest human behaviors and the "how's" of confused decisions that have not yet been taken. Books have the power to produce humongous metamorphosis by guiding you through unknown paths. If you feel that you know what books are about and you find nothing new on the books you have read, then you must consider  writing  your own. But while you make such decision, let me introduce you to the first top five books everyone must read according to my knowledge. These are books that will lead you to self-love, self-confidence and will help you to find the hidden answers that you have probably been asking yourself for many years. 

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

In this glorious piece of literature, Paulo Coelho taught me that when someone really wants something, the universe conspires to make it happen. But this could only be possible when we learn to listen to our hearts and understand the message that goes beyond the words and shows every thing that can't be seen through the eyes. The Alchemist tells us the story of Santiago, a young pastor from Andalucia that left his hometown and life to pursue his dreams. The story takes place throughout a desert in which the author shows all the symbols that reveals the life, the man and the dreams.
Quotes from the Book:
"It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life so interesting."
"Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own."
"Tell your heart, that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself."

Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho



This novel tells the story of Maria, a young woman from a Brazilian town whose first osculation with love leaves her with a broken heart. At her innocent age she convinced herself that she will never find true love; on the contrary, she thinks that love is a horrible thing that only produces suffering. A casual encounter with a man in Rio De Janeiro takes her to Ginebra, where she dreams of getting fame and money. However, she ends up working as a prostitute. Once settled in Ginebra, she meets a young artist who will soon change Maria's beliefs about love. Maria will have to decide between two paths; the path to darkness, or risk everything she already has to follow the path that will lead her to her happiness.
Quotes from the Book:
"When I had nothing to lose, I had everything. When I stopped being who I am, I found myself."
"Life waits for some crisis to occur before revealing itself at its most brilliant."
"The Strongest love is the love that can demonstrate its fragility."


The Zahir by Paulo Cohelo



This is a novel about the power of an obsession and the search of a man that tries to recover a forbidden love. The narrator of The Zahir is an international writer who lives in France. He enjoys everything about his fame and money. His wife, Esther is a war correspondent and despite her successful career and conventional marriage, she is going through a personal crisis that does not allow her to be happy. One day, Esther disappears with her friend Mikhail - who could or could not be her lover- the police starts to question the narrator about her whereabouts. Every body wants to know if Esther was kidnapped or if she voluntarily decided to leave her husband. One day, Mikhail finds the narrator and promise him to take him where Esther is. They both embark on a journey to an spiritual and mysterious place where the narrator will discover many things about himself and will gradually get the answers to all of his questions.
Quotes from the book
"The human being have two problems; the first one is to know when to start, the second one is to know when to stop."
"To learn while I am doing, not while I am thinking about doing something."
"If I behave how people expect me to behave, I will soon become their slaves."


The Secret by Rhonda Byrne



This is a must read book that probably many of you have heard about. The author reveals the secret to success in every aspects of our lives. It is a powerful tool to change our behavior from the inside out by changing the way we think about the universe. As you learn the secret you will discover how to be, have or do anything you want. with the secret you will learn that a positive mind brings positive results.
Quotes from the book:
"If you see it in your mind, you are going to hold it in your hands."
"Your life right now is a reflection of your past thoughts."
"If you are complaining the law of attraction will powerfully bring into your life more situations to complain about."

Why Men Love Bitches by Sherry Argov



This is a powerful guide for all women to read. This book delivers a unique perspective as to why men are attracted to a strong woman who stands up for herself. It reveals why a strong woman is much more desirable than a "yes woman" who routinely sacrifices herself. The author provides compelling answers to the tough questions women often ask:

• Why are men so romantic in the beginning and why do they change?
• why do men take nice girls for granted?
• why does a man respect a woman when she stands up for herself?

Quotes from the book:
"It is your attitude about yourself that a man will adopt."
"Act like a prize and you'll turn him into a believer."
"Whenever a woman requires too many things from a man, he'll resent it. Let him give what he wants to give freely; then observe who he is."
PS Note:
The description of some of the books were taken directly from the back of the physical copy. I will come up with another list of books pretty soon.

The Occupy Wall Street Art Exhibition

It's being three weeks since Wall Street was "occupied" by protesters demanding that the 1% which represents the "rich people" of the country, pays off the debts that they have generated from the financial capital of the world. Many people from all over New York took the Zocotti Park and Liberty Plaza to get their voices heard. Dozens of them have been camping in the park since day one and have no intentions to leave until their demands are being satisfied. 

The demonstrators have the challenge to spread their "occupation" throughout the country, and they have obtained what they expected for; The "Occupy Wall Street" movement started with a few people in downtown Manhattan, and now thousands of Americans from all over the country are joining the cause. Among the demonstrators we could find students, union members, people that have lost their jobs and others that are risking theirs by starting a new life in the park. 

Despite the violence that was present in the first days, these protesters have found a very unique and artistic way to broadcast their message; not only do they started an official newspaper which is called " The Occupied Wall Street Journal", but they have also created pieces of art to transmit their needs. 

I was honored to assist to the "Occupy Wall Street Art Exhibition" last saturday, and I was literally amazed by every piece of art presented. The event was held at the Historic building built in 1914 as the headquarters of J.P. Morgan right across The New York Stock Exchange building. The building has been closed for five years and was opened to welcome the public to see the art made by the young artist of the protest. at the entrance a poster that said : "Leave your Ego At The Door" welcomed all visitors raising their curiosity to know what else was inside. After i walked in, I was impressed by a burned-dollar-bill curtain hanging from the ceiling. Those who were not artist had their opportunity to make a collection of all their posters and present them in a wall as a glorious piece of art. There were many video presentations, body paintings, and little performances. Something that really caught my attention was an I-pad in the middle of the entire room, projecting the messages on a wall that people were writing. 

Definitely, this Art Exhibition was so "orgasmic" and breath-taking. It was awesome how these young people coming from different places and having different reasons to be there, put all their effort and creativity together to create such an artistic event.