Advocating for the Digital Outcast

Posted on Feb 13, 2011
Advocating for the Digital Outcast

Most people working in the education space are familiar with Marc Prensky’s theory of the “Digital Natives vs. Digital Immigrants.” Prensky’s general thesis was to challenge assumptions that antiquated teaching methods remain suitable for emerging generations of learners, for whom mobile devices and gaming principles have become a critical artery of social and informational context.

(You can read the full PDF of Prensky’s “digital natives vs. digital immigrants” paper online.)

There is another group to consider, that of the “Digital Outcasts.” These are people living with disabilities, experiencing long-term illnesses or undergoing rehabilitative therapies, who reside just behind the technology innovation curve. The term was coined by Gareth White of the University of Sussex, and the constituency it represents is the basis of Anikto’s advocacy theme for 2011.

Digital Niche Construction

Interestingly, and perhaps ironically, people with disabilities have cultivated a sort of “digital niche construction” in order to ensure their continued survival. Similar to how a beaver builds a dam or how a bird builds a nest, Digital Outcasts must alter their technological environment to remain relevant in the modern ecosystem. This interregnum is where a surprising amount of digital innovation is currently taking place.

Over the next several months, Anikto will be undergoing a series of activities to study and interpret the role of the Digital Outcast in a number of health-related scenarios. We are examining the use of the iPad as a therapeutic tool for those with traumatic brain injuries. We are seeking a way to create sustainable nutritional support in urban food deserts, using mobile devices. We are working with a group to advance technology in K-12 curriculum development. And we are observing the role of virtual communities among cancer patients and their caregivers.

Digital Outcasts are significant contributors to the innovation landscape; witness the examples of self-sufficiency that exist solely for people with cognitive disabilities, such as ProLoQuo2Go and the Grace app for iPhone. These are smart folks taking it upon themselves to improve their lot, niche construction in its purest form, executed by point of necessity. In the words of William Gibson, “The future is already here – it’s just not very evenly distributed.”

Upcoming 2011 Presentations on Digital Outcasts

Leave a Reply