Gen Y views technology as a Necessity. It is Life for them
It's a part of their life. They don't even view it as technology. It can be as important as owning a car. Some students become disengaged when seperated from the ability to connect with friends and family.
It is almost like it is a part of their body and daily function. From digital alarms to cell phones. They love and cherish their technology!
Technology is the greatest gift ever and they cannot seem to live without it. Even if it is just one SMS a day, it has to be done.
It dominates their lives- every facet of them! They constantly lose their id cards but never their phones!
Although it makes it tough when they don't have a landline and their phones get shut off for lack of payment or they run out of pre-paid minutes. Our school no longer allows any student-instructor interaction on Facebook and that makes it that much harder to track them down. It used to be that if the phone didn't get them, a FB message would. But I feel that's a tool I no longer have in my arsenal when dealing with my youngest students.
Gen Yers view technology as an integral part of daily life. I would say that some Yers define themselves through the technology they use. For some there is an over reliance on personal technology, maybe even addiction, and they suffer withdrawal when separated.
It’s almost an addiction for some students to be playing with them.
They always have to have their smart phones with them and are checking on them most of the time. I have banned the use of their phones in my classroom. They are a distraction and can also be used for cheating purposes.
It is a necessary and expected part of life, not just periodically but 24/7
It is a very necessary part of their daily routine...they have a deep need to always feel "connected"..
