Lesson 5 : " Preferences of the Technology Generations"
In the field of education it is important that critical differences in perceptions between old and young which create a generation gap need to be discussed.
What the old generation likes may not be the same as what the new generation prefers in their life, work and leisure.
The new generation is exposed with quick flicking video games, mobile phone texting, socializing through social web sites, and downloading text/music/photos/video with adeptness and task-switching speed.
- Text vs. Visual
Our parents read books text, enriched by illustrations and photos. In order to research, they go to the school library, use the card catalogue for needed books, and sign up to borrow books for home reading.
The technology or digital generation has greater affinity to visuals (photos and video) compare with text. In fact, they have been exposed since childhood to computer images in such a manner that their visual fluency or abilities have been sharpened and enhanced.
2. Delayed rewards and instant gratification
The traditional reward system in education consist in the grades, honor certificates/medals, and diplomas. Including future jobs, the traditional school’s reward system consist of unclear rewards for performance.
On the other hand digital learners on their own experience more immediate gratification through immediate scores from games, enjoyable conversation from web cam calls, excitement from email chats, and inviting comments from their Facebook account.
The past-30 year old generation has obtained information in a linear, logical and sequential manner. On the positive side, this has made them more logical, focused and reflective thinkers.
The new generation, however, follows a personal random access to hyperlinked digital information, less superior to elders in focus and reflection. Thus, they appear to be more easily bored and distracted during class lectures.
4. Independent vs. Social learner
The traditional education system gives priority to independent learning, prior to participative work. New learners, however, are already acquainted with digital tools that adopt to both personal and participative work.
They take the opportunity for dozen of instantaneous ways to communicate with others mobile call and text, emails, Facebook, YouTube, MySpace, Twitter, wikis, etc. Experts describe this mode of digital learning as one that is based on experimentation, discovery and intuition
Teacher feel obliged to delivering content based courses, the learning of which is measurable by standard test. Digital learners prefer fun learning which relevant and instantaneously useful to them.
Learning is play to a new learners and not surprisingly there is much fun in the digital world outside the school.
6. Learning to do vs. Learning to pass the test
Old teachers teach students in order to help them to pass the test and complete the course requirement. On the other hand, new digital learners simply wish to acquire skills, knowledge and habits as windows of opportunity afford them to learn
Our parents have complete course and have engaged in a permanent job for most of their lives. A different work situation awaits the digital generation with the contractual, multitasked, and multi-career opportunities in a general world ahead of them.
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