Its always easier to google then to learn, is the student smart or his phone?
I find it beneficial in that the subject I teach is easier to have them relate to as I can use the technology of today to cross reference the subject matter
I see both negative and positive effects of technology on Gen Y learners. The negative effects include the following: difficulty writing full sentences, difficulty writing papers, misspelled words in tests and papers, sketchy research, disinterest in programs like excel and word and plagiarism.
Positive effects include the following: ability to multitask, ability to manipulate and set up technological equipment, ability to maintain communication with friends and family through social media, ability to find sales and coupons, and a willingness to find quick answers on the internet.
I find that the negative effects are very damaging to Gen Y learners and that the positive effects do not help in the classroom.
Gen Y students or "Digital Natives" have grown up surrounded by technology. They are accustomed to instant information availability and demand that same instant gratification in the classroom. Instructors are challenged to keep technology from being a distraction (Facebook, texting) while trying to incorporate it into lesson plans to keep their students engaged.
Kathy,
if we can pull the love for & ability to access the quick information into the classroom & apply it to the weak areas we may see success.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Vicki,
there really is this significant tension present in our classes as both sides try to accommodate or understand the other.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Impacts have been good and bad. My program requires critical thinking and it doesn't come easy for them. Thy are use to immediate answers at their fingertips via google and do not seem to want to take the time to problem solve.
Since I teach in an automotive school, technology is the cornerstone of the industry. However, it seems that the effort in learning this technology is overshadowed by the ability to immediately access information. While it is important to use information to diagnose problems with the technical systems, it seems that the ability to think and understand does not have the same value any longer. Students feel that they can look up anything and this will give them the answers and get them to solve problems. Unfotunately, this is not always the case. They start to learn this in in the lab/shop setting. However, you pretty much have to go over 70% of the information you covered in class in order for them to complete their lab activities. This tends to become very frustrating for the instructor.
I agree students want to find a quick answer through a web search and they are satisfied with just having an answer. Instead of reading about it and really understanding and aquiring knowledge.
I agree, Gen Y are always trying to utilize technology as a shortcut. What's frustrating is that we give different tools for them to learn. For example the textbooks we use have an online support. We have a student portal that we put information on and the students still don't utilize it. But, as you said they will Google it. We've started giving our student research papers that include works cited so that we know they aren't just copying information. Also, we set-up forums like this to make them use other forms of technology.
Kristina,
I think these are all great measures that not only hold the students accountable, but they also help them learn how to use these different tools for success.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I find myself agreeing with the previous comments. I have had students video and audio tape me while doing demonstrations. Many students have difficulty in putting their technology away and pay attention to what is going on in front of them. For example, students are checking facebook, tweeting and instagram-ing during class instead of communicating with the person sitting next to them.
Karen,
and while technology is a great tool, we also need to help students learn the value of the interpersonal skills.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
One thing I like about how Gen Y learners use technology is they seek feedback through their portals about their grades and track their progress better. I have had students from other generations that rely on coming to class and getting the assignment from me when they have missed it, whereas the Gen Y students often check their portals daily. They are also used to receiving praise for their efforts, so they want to know what they need to do to get the better grade. Unfortunately, that does not always translate into "wanting to learn the material better." At least they seem to be more willing to check out supplementary websites I supply them with than they do handouts.
I think technology has enhanced the learning expeince. The only draw back is that most expect information to be given to them right away. There is no more waiting to look it up, they google it and there is the answer. If they are made to wait for an answer they don't understand why.
Tim,
I've noticed this expectation of immediate answers/feedback too.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Gen Y students transition with great ease from interpersonal to digital interaction, which is seamlessly "multi-tasked". They also have a tremendously sophisticated skill set in learning new technologies, which results in a "fearless" attitude. Online collaborative platforms, together with class interaction, contribute to the collaborative aspects of learning, and are very popular with gen Y learners. On the flip side, in the classroom, it is not always easy to monitor and discourage the use of social media during tasks that require concentration. However, in my own experience teaching graduate courses, there is a level of maturity that is self-monitored.
I believe that technology has had both positive and negative impactson the learning process for Gen Y students. On the positive side it is wonderful that they have access to so much information so quickly.On the negative it has impacted learning and practicing may of the basic skills. They no longer really have to learn to spell as long as they have access to spell and gramar check programs. they don't remember the basic mathmatical prcesses and formulas again due to calculators, etc. As a Boomer myself, I find it very difficult to get them to disconnect from technology even long enough for conventional lectures and thier attention spans shorter than other generations. We are literally encouraged to "entertain" students to retain them in classes now.
I agree. This is why it is very important for colleges to integrate critical thinking skills into the curriculum. Students can typically find information, but they don't often evaluate the quality of the source.
When I went to school personal computers did not exist and as the course states, much was lecture and reading with practical skill s learned in the field. I feel students are at an advantage today because they have a wealth of information at their fingertips and have the ability to learn much more in school before entering the workforce thanks to simulated environments and countless video lectures available online.
