Day 1: Blog#1-Kids: Better with technology than old folks?

  Kids are better with technology than old folks! It's only partially true. I had to get your attention with a strong title.  Kids are very distracted for the most part.  They become easily bored and hate to follow written instruction.  Video tutorials on youtube make learning easy for the visual learning style of the younger generations.  I have used the Google sites hangout function with a screenshot to get help from friends.  Thus, I can imagine that kids get help from friends in this manner.  Adults see them on the computer with friends and conclude that they are playing games, (which most are) instead of searching for help.  Kids learn differently than most adults.  They tend to dislike structure and steps.  I have witnessed them clicking around a screen to find answers.  Even toddlers will click wildly on the screen of Ipads.  They have no fear.  Their generation is the disposable generation.  Plastic molds are created for every item and is easier to discard than to fix.  Thus, navigation and trying new technologies are easier to grasp.  Plus, they need to move fast and enjoy Orkut before it is replaced with the newest Google creation.
  Old folks, generally, like to follow a set of steps and dislike to deviate from them.  They want to see it in writing because they came from the generation which primarily used books (remember those heavy things)  older folks have a tendency to work in a fearful manner.  They may have grown up in a time period when things were valued and if you lose something, then it can not be replaced. Thus, they are afraid to lose material or take chances.  Frustration occurs after the older user masters a program or app and a new one is created.   The individual will either quit or finally become sept up by the positive flow of technology .
  My Grandfather is the exception when referring to old folks as technologically inferior.  He's 90 years old and plays video games, joined Facebook, sends texts and still drives. Plus, he wears his pants low to show off his colorful boxers. No, the last part is untrue. But, he does shake his head in disapproval when he sees a young mans boxers exposed because of sagging pants. The fact that he disapproves and can not relate to the teen creates a gap and limits him from seeing from the kids perspective. Many elders seem to have a problem understanding the culture of our youth. Although the same Grandfather bought a fast car and painted flames on the sides. Kids loved it and thought he was cool. They didn't judge him. When he pulled up to a conservative church on Sunday he was met with cold stares. He was able to see the world through the eyes of a kid and was not limited by the judgement of adults. He doesn't know how much longer he'll be able to drive, so he chooses cars as if they are his last and doesn't think about the long term implications. Kids also think this way. They want instant gratification. That's the reason that technology meets their needs. Instead of judging them, elders should appreciate life from their perspective and join in. If my Grandmother would use Google + and join a hangout, she wouldn't have to struggle to understand the description of my daughters new Japanese anime drawing over an antiquated telephone line. Being old is a state of mind. A greater connection would exist if the elders would practice tolerance and remember that participated or wanted to participate in youthful trends. I am sure that they were denied things by adults during their youth. My father was very liberal minded and encouraged me to get a mohawk and wear parachute pants, but he did not like the style of wearing my shoes without laces because I could get injured. He knew that I was an athlete and didn't want me to be on the sideline as a result of poor fashion sense. This concept makes sense. Low riding pants with boxers exposed make me sick to see, but who or what is it hurting besides our eyes? In the 1960's people who wore blue jeans were considered to be troublemakers. In modern times, blue jeans are the style for middle aged people on Saturday afternoons. This especially refers to technology. Kids love to socialize via texts. My father refuses to text. Adults criticize kids for not reading and writing well during texts because they shorten words. Our elders did the same thing because language evolves. Example: Romeo, Romeo where for art thou..you get the point. Language is acknowledged when it is practiced by the masses. Adults are fearful of these changes and get stuck in their ways. Adults can learn from kids if we only took the time to listen. Kids determine what's cool now because they did not experience the past. Ultimately, kids keep open minded old people feeling young.