Lesson 5: Preferences of the Technology Generation

Content

            This topic taps on the preferences of the new generation students in terms of their styles in life, work and leisure. It also talks about the things that older generation’s preferences that are now obsolete and may not be applicable to the generation today.

            In the field of education there is a noticeable gap in perceptions and critical differences between the older and younger generation. Between single and multi-track activity patterns, new generation prefers the multi-track activities because they were exposed to quick flicking video games, mobile phone texting, surfing the web and downloading text/music/videos adapting to task-switching speed. Between texts versus visuals, they choose visuals. They also prefer hyper media over linear because they follow personal random access to hyperlinked digital information. They prefer social learning and group activities than independent learning. They learn to do than learning to past the test therefore they are more on hands-on activities to learn. New generation also wants instant gratification and rewards and do not want delayed ones since they are exposed to scores from games, enjoyable conversations, emails and chatting through Facebook. Therefore, the new generation wants fun learning and rejecting rote memorization.

Experience

            These are like what I had experienced when I was in elementary to high school, we are given group activities to lessen the boredom of the students. However, in elementary, we lack technology facilities that I had really faced a big difference when I reached high school. I was not able to use a computer before that is why when we had our computer hands-on test in 1^st year, I was terrified and shock that I almost cried. I really feel the gap between the preferences of my classmates and me. I feel demotivated and helpless that I was so different from them. However, as time passed by, I really tried my best to cope up with them and fortunately, I made it.

Reflection

            As a future educator, I can reflect with this topic especially that I will soon to be exposed in the field. There is really a need to bridge the gap between new and old generation through targeting the learners’ need. Since new generation learners are fun of using the modern technology, teachers should also learn their world and take technology an opportunity for meaningful learning and not to separate them with instruction.

Application 

            Knowing the preferences of the students is really essential in order to bridge the gap and to ease the difficulties that might occur during the learning process. In application, educating also the new generation about the life before them will help bridge the gap between them. Helping and understanding each other’s’ differences and preferences is of great help in the society today especially in the educational milieu. So, modern teaching strategies which will touch the interests of the learners need to be used in the classroom instruction. The uses of multimedia and hyperlinked projects are just examples in order to reach the learners.