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Should we really be so impressed that kids can use digital things?
It IS impressive for a 2 year old to navigate an iPad to find her show, or even manipulate her singing dog to play her favourite song. But, isn't this just memory and habitual skills? We are so amazed at how kids can navigate these relatively more complex toys, because we sure never had the same intuition with them. But is it really a higher-form of learning? I suspect that it's not really. If these things break down, kids don't know why or how. They can't fix them--this just reveals a consumer-level of knowledge, still. Being a digital native, whatever that is, is largely passive.
I really like the idea of true tinkering, creation, first principles and just making things from scratch. And not with just digital things: creating a meal, a garden, a wearable garment, a vehicle etc. Though, if we are going to talk digital--we need the programmers. Why is it that everyone can complain about what's wrong with Facebook, and no one can hack a better version?
I don't know, surfing, deciphering, clicking on the right spots and knowing what technology can do for you is one category of skiils, but this is quite separate from an understanding of the depth, algorithms and logic behind building a system that enables the "magic"--we need to save our awe for THAT.
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Kate Blake 50+
For me the ones who deserve awe are not just the programmers that wire things to happen but those over 60 years of age who have adapted so well to the digital age. They are really awe inspiring because they have conquered new skills by learning and adapting without growing up with such things; or having access during their years of study. Well done to those who contribute regularly here from that generation!
And I do wonder how much those kids growing up in the digital age will actually learn considering they can just google any question without thinking of an answer from their own side. I think the digital age will definitely reprogram how these kids learn. And as said below life is the best teacher of all.
Genevieve Tran 50+