Yeah, good for all of us more experienced folks! I'll be 60 next year and am having the time of my life watching my 5-year old daughter perform her computer magic. She informed me a couple of months ago that she needed a new mouse, something smaller that would fit her hand better. I took her to Offfice Max and she picked out the one she wanted. She just zips around the desktop with her little mouse, opens, expands, zips, and zaps. She hasn't learned the right-click finctions, yet. Guess that will come with time.
Her kindergarten class goes to the computer lab once a week and they are all getting with the technology. So much so that she came to me a short time back asking for a faster computer. She also informed me that she'd really like a digital camera because it takes too long to get the pictures back from her (pink, Princess) 35mm camera. Sweet and wonderful.
I have read about these "Digital natives" for a couple of years, but it didn't really hit home 'til I watched my own little one do her thing. I know I'll find it impossible staying ahead of her. Just hope I can keep up with her for a few more years.
Jim

________________________________

From: technology-bounces at nifl.gov on behalf of Mary Alice Jackson
Sent: Fri 10/26/2007 11:07 AM
To: technology at nifl.gov
Subject: [Technology 1361] Re: Role reversals for older adultsacquiringtechnology skills



Thanks George.  I don't know which is more impressive - the 11-year as the computer lab volunteer and co-author of the math elective or the fact that someone in their mid-60's has an eleven year old child!  Nevertheless, thanks for sharing your experience!


-----Original Message-----
From: "George Demetrion" <george.demetrion at lvgh.org>
To: "The Technology and Literacy Discussion List" <technology at nifl.gov>
Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2007 14:01:41 -0400
Subject: [Technology 1360] Re: Role reversals for older adults acquiringtechnology skills

Hi Mary,

No research, but a case in point.

A woman in her mid 60s entered our Basic Literacy program this fall,
reading at a very low level.  She then referred her daughter to the same
program who reads at a much higher level.

Here's the kicker.  This woman's 11 year old daughter comes and acts as
one of our computer-lab volunteers and she is very good.  In addition
she will be co-tutoring our math elective.

This was a new one even for me.

George Demetrion

George Demetrion
Director of Program Operations
Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford
30 Arbor Street
Hartford, CT 06106
(860) 233-3853
George.Demetrion at lvgh.org
www.lvgh.org
TEACH. LEARN. GROW.

-----Original Message-----
From: technology-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:technology-bounces at nifl.gov]
On Behalf Of Mary Alice Jackson
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2007 1:46 PM
To: technology at nifl.gov
Subject: [Technology 1359] Role reversals for older adults
acquiringtechnology skills

I'm interested in any research that has been conducted looking at role
reversals with older adults learning to use technology.  Traditionally,
we have seen adults teaching children whether in formal settings or
informal settings.  With technology (VCR, DVD players, digital cameras,
cell phones, computers, etc.), we often see the reverse i.e., children
are teaching adults.  I've observed this with a number of family and
friends over 50 (including myself sometimes).  A 65-year old friend of
mine asked me a question about a new cell phone she recently purchased
and shared with me that Kristen (a 12 or 13-year old) had set it up for
her.  During one season of American Idol, I called a friend of mine to
ask her how to text my vote in.  She replied, "I don't know.  I have my
12-year old nephew do it for me!" 

So, with that said, has anyone come across research conducted in this
area?  Thanks.

Mary
Mary
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Mary
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