Michelle,
yes & the more we can incorporate the use of technology the better we will be able to engage & help our students.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Considering that the most popular encyclopedia is no longer in print I think technology is a huge factor with learning for mostly all generations now.
My experience using I-clickers for content review was a very positive and fun class for several reasons;
1. Everyone in the class MUST participate.
2. Response differences generate lively
discussions.
3. How well was the content absorbed/learned.
4. Considerable learning occurs with review of
the response rationales.
5. It's okay to take risks and be in the minority
of response selection. . .if the student is
correct.
6. Students LOVE competition.
Chris,
yes,we all have our tech "crutches" which does help us be more understanding of this generation.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I really don't think the "younger" generation sees their almost total dependence on technology(tablets, cell phones etc...). They've never been without these devices...perhaps like Baby Boomers who never knew what it was like without TV's,cars or airplanes.
Robert...I like your comparison of Gen Y losing their technology to a prior generation not having a clock or watch!! I am one of those...I absolutely feel lost if I don't what time it is...I never would have thought of that analogy, but it's one that sure makes sense to me now!!
Generation Yers are super digital natives! It's like second nature to them. Recently, we were having a discussion in one of my classes about current political events and one of the students brought up Mitt Romney's latest foot-in-mouth statement. Within seconds, everyone in the classroom had their cell phone out, the article, pictures and even videofeed about the topic! AND IT WAS ONLY MERE SECONDS!!! It was amazing.
It does seem that digital natives have a certain "dependency" on technology that the previous generations do not. As has been stated by many previous comments, Gen Y students are very uncomfortable when separated from their phones for any length of time. Of course, they have achieved a great deal of expertise in finding information and communicating with others on these devices. They do amaze me with their matter of fact attitude with what they can do with these devices. And they do seem to be up on events as they happen. Conversly, they prefer to use technology in most all aspects of their life that they can get away with. That can be interperated as showing a lack of respect by other generations.
Frank,
this is an excellent point regarding their view of technology. We really do need to try & help them realize that it is not a right & that there are benefits to putting them down once in a while.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
My Gen Y-ers would be lost without their laptops. Understanding that I encourage them to use them in the class setting for research on in class group projects. I also allow them to be used in conjunction with their written tests.
I feel that as digital natives they think that they have the right to use their devices. In their world the device is a must have. Unlike us who feel that having the device is a privilege to have. With this said most Gen Y’ers, use their devices as an extension to them. To ask them to live without it would like asking us to live without our cars. As the car became an extension to move around, the phones, PDA’s and laptops are all apart of them. I teach technology and in class I have to remind them that they are here to learn how it work and how to make it work for others. With this tie in, most of them are happy to put it down for a short while.
As being apart of this generation I understand the urge to have some sort of technology with me at all times. Most of us would say that our cell phone is just as much apart of us as our arms and legs. Walking out of the house without a cell phone is like being with out clothes to most people in this generation.
Theresa,
and I think it's important that they understand the "old" ways as much of the new technology is built on the old.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Gen Y students view technology as a mandatory part of life. I teach dental assisting. My students are disappointed to have to learn the "old" way of doing things and often question why they have to know it. It is hard for them to understand that not every dental office has the latest technology.
Charla,
maybe I'm the eternal optimist but I don't think it is too late. It does require a significant level of teaching & "educating" on why this behavior is rude. There have been some recent articles on how poor etiquette is costing this generation jobs.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
My concern with the GenYers use of technology like this is their apparent lack of courtesy. It doesn't even compute to them that they should turn these devices off before going into a meeting or interview. And setting it to vibrate is not off...they still know someone is calling or texting or whatever and they have this insatiable need to see what it came in. And they have to peek. Is it too late in their lives to undo the damage? Or is this the new norm? So much for maintaining eye contact and staying focused :)
John,
they are definitely "wired" this way. Another negative I see from this tech connectivity is while this generation seems to be connected to more people, they (generally speaking) don't seem to be able to relate as well individually.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Generation Y students view web-based technology as a tool for outreach with the rest of the world, literally. They have various networks of friends they can go to for support in addition to family members. Their contact info is programmed into their phones for contacting friends and family using the touch of only one key. This technology is always with them and they check on it frequently. It is like putting on glasses for the digital holdout. It is having an adverse effect on print media such as newspapers and magazines but is more in line with the quick snipets of news generation Y looks for in their busy day of multi-tasking.
At the strait out of high school age group, they feel they have a right to use their cell phones, when & where they want reguardless of the rules, & will do so in defiance until it causes them problems they can't handle
Todd,
unfortunately this is an all too common situation. We have to really work to help them realize that they cannot always shortcut, at least not until they've learned the long way.
Dr. Ryan Meers
