MarkC: A teacher student at UTS

Oblinger, D & Oblinger, J (2008)

This article describes the characteristics of the Net Generation (Net Gen) in terms of socialisation, learning and the use of their space. Socio-economic factors within their household determine access to a computer and high speed internet access which indicates their engagement. Adolescents are viewed as accepting of a vast amount of information from digital sources but on the other hand the quality of their learning is fairly shallow.

The emergence of non-traditional learners (older and financially independent) influences Net Gen learning in terms of acceptance of technology and a sense of busyness. The article found that surprisingly Net Gen learners’ hated web based instruction and preferred personal social interaction in an institution. The main emphasis of the article was to explain the way Net Gen students learn and their motivational factors.

Rainie (2006)

The article is essentially a presentation given to the Public Library Association in the USA. The author initially dismisses the expectation of a crystal ball prediction of the use of technology and media by teenagers (or the so-called millennial) into the future. Essentially the author highlight aspects of the new generation in relation to media, gadgets, the internet as a delivery mechanism, use of time and belief in ethics such as copyright

I agree with general theme of Rainie’s presentation describing less structure in the way organisations and meaning evolve. This is also apparent in the way students learn. A example of protest, communication and organisation (or lack of organisation) is the bicycle protest group called Critical Mass http://www.bikesarefun.org/index.html. Authorities such as the police are uncomfortable with these types of groups because there are no leadership or representatives for the group that is almost anarchical

Prensky (2001)

This article uses the metaphor of “native” vs “immigrant” in relation to the cultural (digital) divide between older dyed-in-the-wool educators and the newer generation of hip and with-it students.

According to the article today’s students thought processes are fundamentally different from previous generations and the older generation must meet the challenge of the new ways of learning or get left behind.

Generally I found the article somewhat alarming in the use of langauge. This may alienate older educators rather than encouraging them. Prensky is also pushing his own barrow to some extent in promoting his company’s products.

This is a short audio clip of the the first thing that came into my head

my-podcast