This week in Integrating Tech we are discussing what it means for a person to use technology as a "resident" versus a "visitor". David White came up with these terms when trying to think of a way to describe the different ways that people use technology. When someone uses technology as a resident, this means that they are contributing and putting themselves out there to whatever platform of technology they are using. Some examples of this would be posting often on social media, participating in an online message board, or contributing to a blog. On the other hand, a visitor would use technology either as a tool to consume information or gain services. Visitors would be those who use social media just to read what others are posting, or uses apps to boost productivity. This idea is not meant to pigeon-hole a person as totally a resident or a visitor. Each way you use a form of technology will fall somewhere on this spectrum between contributor and spectator. You can learn more about the two types of tech users on David White's website.
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Digital Mapping
With his method of describing one's utilization of technology, David White came up with a way for people to analyze their own tech personality by creating a digital map. When creating a map, a person should consider how they use technology the most, and try to place that app/tool/platform somewhere in four quadrants. The horizontal axis of this chart has "residential" on one end, and "visitor" on the other. The other scale has the person consider whether that use of technology is for personal or professional use. Here is an example of my digital map I created on Google Drawing:
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I am amazed at how much Google is used in my life as well. I use it for searching, sharing documents, collaborating on projects, writing notes, chatting on hangouts, and looking at my calendar events. It has a wide range of uses and is helpful when I need to get my documents and files on different computers.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed Facebook has been placed nearer the visitor side of the spectrum in many students maps (including my own). I know many people who use Facebook to read the news or even search information. It is interesting how this tool has evolved since its creation.
Nice job explaining the concept. Kudos on the mass consumption of Dunkin Donuts, too....!
ReplyDeleteHey Jake,
ReplyDeleteWe both share some common applications and categorized them in the same category. Having the mail application in the middle of everything is not surprising. Most applications and websites require an email so it's really a requirement to interact online. I really never used the google suite until I started teaching. My daily use of Google Apps at work transitioned me into using them outside of my professional life.
Hi Jake,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up on the Dunkin Donuts app! I'm officially on the path to free donuts and coffee. I really liked how your map looked different than a lot of the others that have been posted. I have no clue what some of these apps are and seeing that reminded me how differently we all use our phones and internet sites in our daily lives.