Los problemas de un imigrante digital

I was struck today with 'language' of Excel and the frustration we were experiencing trying to come up with something that was simple, yet complex. Dr. Closen's comment about how students feel reminds me of my language students who get frustrated when trying to handle basic verbs and adjectives in my world language classes. Once you are 'in the know' things click and one can be amazed at how easy and convenient handling information can be. But until they do it is a test of willpower. I see many parallels between being a digital immigrant and working with world languages. Both are foreign to those not used to them, but second nature to 'natives'. As an immigrant, I had a day today where I felt I was going through Ellis Island and couldn't effectively communicate with the people who were trying to admit me to the country. As technology grows ever more complex, the immigrant must keep up to what is second nature to a native. This is frustrating but necessary and 'enlightening' once a person figures things out. I think the 'teachable moment' of class today was the constant reminder of the opportunities and tribulations of being an immigrant and the absolute necessity of moving forward.