Check out this presentation titled Visitors and Residents by David S. White: http://tallblog.conted.ox.ac.uk/index.php/2009/10/14/visitors-residents-the-video/ This presentation explains that an individual’s motivation for online interactions places them on a spectrum between two different typologies: Visitors and Residents. Visitors typically use the internet to accomplish a specific goal, while residents treat the internet as a “space” in which they can live out a portion of their life.
I must admit, I found this presentation to be fascinating because I have always steered clear of any type of social networking and was experiencing an internal struggle as I began this blog to document my doctoral experience. It is clear to me that I am 100% visitor! I absolutely love technology when it allows me to be more efficient at my work; however I am definitely not comfortable using the internet for social purposes. I prefer to maintain a tight circle of close family/friends, rather than a large number of online acquaintances. The presentation does a nice job of highlighting the fact that many people use social networking as a way to stay-in-contact with the people closest to them, but even if that is the case I still wrestle with the idea of social networking. I have purposely chosen to not participate on My Space or Facebook, because I don’t embrace the whole self-promotion/self-editing aspects involved in creating and maintaining such an account. For me, it is important to stay grounded and authentic.
With that being said, I also recognize that this type of thinking may stunt any potential for growth that I might have and I know that I need to remain open to new possibilities and new ways of “seeing” so that I continue to evolve. This presentation and the doctoral experience as a whole have opened my eyes to new ways of looking at my own online engagement. Maybe I can move closer to “residency” status on the typology spectrum for online usage? I may not be ready to fully commit at this very moment, but I am willing to give it a go in my professional life and see what happens from there! I now have my first blog and just signed-up for twitter (@delaTorreCarla)…only time will tell what I try next! Aha!
As a side-note, I appreciated how this presentation raises the point that even though we live among a generation of people who are very skilled at social media and technology, it does not mean that these individuals are highly skilled in other areas such as critical thinking and/or research. The presentation reminds us that these are “non-digital skills, which can be applied in a digital setting.” As an educator, this thought really resonates with me! Like many people, I am in awe when I think about how many of our students have mastered certain aspects of technology. At the same time, I am humbled by the reminder that we must do everything possible to match those skills with higher-order-thinking skills and rigor!
Carla, Like you I have been reluctant (even refused) to participate in social networking. But I like that you frame this in the context of applying skills that we have in a new medium. I do think that you're right that such a view is helpful to us as educators.
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