Q1: Based just on the label "Digital Immigrant", what skills would you imagine such a person having with electronics?

I would expect that a digital Immigrant" is someone who knows how to use a computer, but did not grow up with one. I would expect a range in the area of competency from not very experienced to very experienced. I would expect a digital immigrant to be competent in using most types of electronic products, but not to feel as if using those products were second nature to them. In some areas, I would expect that a digital immigrant might encounter some level of difficulty when trying to program electronics such as VCRs, etc. They wouldn't intuitively know how to program the tool and use all of the capabilities the electronic tool may have. I think they might rely heavily on the instructions that come with these products and not necessarily be able to really decipher them. Also, I think digital immigrants still feel far more comfortable touching/using print-based materials than electronically-based materials. Finally, they may not be conversant with the world of video games since they did not grow up with them.

Q2: Based solely on the label "Digital Native", what skills would you imagine such a person having with electronics?

I expect them to be like my son, who can figure out in just a few minutes (sometimes seconds) how to do something with an electronic product that I will spend hours trying to understand. I think digital natives live and breathe electronics, and can't conceive how they could manage without them.

Q3: Describe how the formal education of a "Digital Immigrant" might differ from a "Digital Native."

A digital immigrant is someone whose formal education from the elementary grades through high school and possibly college did not involve the use of computers for any portion of their education. They received lecture-based instruction that included very little involvement on their part. They were the recptacles, the teacher/professor the fount of all wisdom. They also had few if any experiences work in groups or collaborative teams as part of their learning.

Q4: Describe how you think a 19-year-old college Freshman would prefer to receive their course materials.

I think they would prefer to receive most of it in a digital format whether by computer or other electronic device. I think they may also dislike traditional lecture and other traditional modes of delivering course materials. I think they want to have more say in how they will go about learning, and be more independent in choosing how they will learn. I also think they may wish to receive some of their learning in a format that is different from traditional textbooks; perhaps textbooks that combine content within the text with on-line research learning activities, and games in which learning occurs, but are challenging and fun to use.

Q5: Describe how you think a 19-year-old college Freshman would prefer to collaborate on a group project in a course versus a 60-year-old retiree.

A 60 year old retiree would probably prefer to meet face-to-face with the other project group members and have a very structured linear approach to how the project team would work together. I actually think that most 60-year-olds would be uncomfortable with collaborating on a group project. They grew up with a more competitive model for how work should get done, not a collaborative or cooperative model.

Q6: Describe how you think a college professor would prefer to generate and present lessons to 19-year-old college freshmen.

Depends upon the college professor's  comfort level with alternative delivery modes. Most still seem prefer traditional methods regardless of the age group they fall into. They don't seem to be comfortable or competent with using online delivery of instruction, or other alternative delivery methods. They LIKE to lecture, although most adults and most college-aged youth HATE lectures. They like lectures even though lecturing is the least effective method of learning.

Q7: Can you give an example of when a technology boundary negatively affected your success on a project for work or school?

I can't really say that it was a technology boundary, more like the professor's discomfort and lack of knowledge realted to using the technology impacted me negatively. This had nothing to do with a grade, but with my feeling that I could have gotten so much more out of the class if the professor had been even moderately competent in using technology. Since I work for a company that uses technology every day in the production of work it isn't that technology is not appreciated, but that the company fails to understand why it is important to provide continuous training and exposure to the latest ideas and developments in technology. We have lost contracts because we didn't have the technological expertise required. The company talks a good game about keeping skills current, but fails to back it up with funding.

Q8: Can you give an example of when you perceived age was a boundary in the success of a project at work or school?

I can't think of an example. I work with people much younger than myself, and I like that. They are open to new ideas and to using new technologies.

Q9: What is your age?

55-59

Q10: What is your highest educational degree?

B.S.

Q11: Please suggest topics and/or opinions in any area you feel is relevant to the topics presented in this questionnaire.

Perhaps instead of just lumping all "digital Immigrants" together, you may consider that amoung those belonging to this group there are varying levels of comfort and understanding of the use of electronic technology. I know that I am different from most of my friends wjo are in my age group. I like using new technology, but have contradictory attitudes about specific types of technology that are usually based on my personality type or physical needs rather than that of being a digital immigrant. For example, I LOVE email, but don't see the need to spend much time on a cell phone either talking or texting. But then again, I don't see the need for talking very much on a phone period.  :-) I'd rather write an email message.  Also, the size of the screen on a cell phone is definite turn-off for me because my vision makes it difficult for me to see screens that small. I would not be a good candidate for learning or information delivered in that mode.