a digital immigrant

Rather than Transana, I will bring a different issue to my blog today. On Tuesday, we had a guest speaker. Mr. Painter raised many important issues throughout his conversation. One of the important points that stood out for me is the discussion around being a digital “ native” or digital “ immigrant”.  His statements in relation to this discussion remind me that various factors including living condition, job occupation, research interest, and worldview might make people “ digital native” versus “ digital immigrant” individuals. For instance, the living condition in the US force people to integrate technology more in their lives.  Such as, people are able to do everything electronically including paying the bills, registering for the class, buying a ticket for a concert, ordering foods and so on.  Computers and electronic devices are available almost in everywhere.  On the other hand, in some countries, people are continuing their lives without electricity. One of my American friends went to Afghanistan three years ago, and she is currently working as an English teacher there. In her working area, there is no electricity; people are using gas to run their electronic devices including computers (very old version) and printers. She is able to use Internet when she comes to American Culture Center, which is located in a different city.  When we consider her case, she seems a digital immigrant even though she is a former digital native.  Based on the condition in the Afghanistan; it could be a dream for Afghans to be a digital native. So, I think, where you live is the biggest factor that influences people to what degree they integrate technology in their works. ( May be I am wrong, but I interpret in this way).