Digital Map

Visitor v. Resident on the web

Prior to this week's post, I never heard of being a resident or visitor of the internet. When we enter Google or any other search engine, many of us enter with a purpose to get an answer. However, other individuals may go online without a purpose and just for fun. In simpler terms, a resident "lives" online. I can often times consider myself a digital resident when I use social media apps such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. I usually do not open these apps for a purpose, but instead stay on these social media apps to comment and view updates from friends and family. 
Now, a digital visitor uses the internet or apps for a purpose. There is a present goal as to why someone is opening their phone, tablet, etc. to search and view something. I am a digital visitor throughout the school day. I use applications such as ClassDojo, SeeSaw, and Powerschool to connect with parents and my students. I open the application and then exit as soon as that goal is completed. 


Mapping my Digital Space

Images from Google Images

With the help of Google Images, I created my own digital space and mapped out what applications I use in my day to create a range of visitor and resident. From the views of my digital space, it appears I am a combination of both digital resident and digital visitor. As mentioned, most of my days consists of using Powerschool, ClassDojo, and SeeSaw. I use Powerschool to take attendance and submit lunch orders in the morning. Because I use it to complete this morning task, this is considered as being a visitor on the web. ClassDojo and SeeSaw are opened throughout the day to reward students with Dojo points or sharing any photos and news with parents of our school day. Again, these applications are opened with the goal of posting and updating something quick, making me again, a digital visitor. 

Now, I hardly use social media on the weekday since there's hardly any time to sit down, scroll, and explore. I become a digital resident on the weekends when I use apps such as Twitter and Pinterest. When I open these apps, I am usually active and online for long periods of time. When I am on Pinterest, I pin and save ideas for my classroom and home without noticing two hours have passed by! I use social media apps such as Twitter and Facebook to connect with friends and family. I comment or share my opinions with the hope of others sharing their ideas with me. In conclusion, I think it could be beneficial for everyone to create their own digital map to observe their technology interactions. 

Additional Resources:

1. Visitors and Residents: A new typology for online engagement - An online journal that discusses the terms digital visitor and digital resident.

2. Digital Immigration: Are you Digital Native, Immigrant, Visitor or Resident? An article by Nagaraja Srivatsan in which digital resident and visitor are defined and explained. 

3. David White's Blog- White's web page that discusses digital visitor and digital resident.