I feel that technology has impacted Gen Y students such that, while information is instantly available, it's often not retained as well because of the lack of effort it takes to get it. Further, I believe that Gen-Y students are able to multi-task much better because they've grown up with new technology, and "gadgets." For example, a Baby Boomer would probably have a difficult time talking on the phone, while chatting online, watching tv, and answering an email at the same time, while it would be nothing unusual for a Gen Y student.
I teach Music Theory and I find that a number of my students try to find answers to questions on the internet instead of just looking in their textbooks, but they also don't take the time to see if the website they are referencing is legitimate or correct. They go to the first site they see and go with that site. They haven't learn or don't want to take the time to discern the information they see. Even when told to check 3 or more sources, they don't want to be bothered.
I find that most of them can't stay off the internet when I am lecturing even for the shortest time period. They constantly have to check their Facebook page and get upset if I tell them to turn their phones off during lectures. They find it perfectly acceptable to continuously get up and walk out of the classroom as they talk on the phone in the middle of class disrupting class.
I have run into similar issues with my Surround Sound Techniques class. The book is written by one of the original creators of the multichannel media and a big part of the course and lecture is based on this material. Just the other week, a student had a question about a quiz grade, citing an audio forum definition to back up her answer while the correct definition was on page 1 of the text book. I commended her on her diligence, but had to warn her about the unreliability of forums and sites like Wikipedia.
The Gen Y students in my class tend to rely on the internet to get short easy answers to questions. However, they do not get the whole picture or process of the subject that I am teaching. For example they can look up a word such as "ventilation" and can give me verbatim the definition, however, when asked how it relates to the lungs and respiratory system they are at a loss. To have them explain a process would require them to actually read a text from an book. They are more used to a short article in the internet which can come from unreliable sources.
While Gen Y is characterized by their interest in connectivity (making connections), my gen y students surprise me with their lack of interest in the "why" of what they are doing. I wonder if this has to do with technology - the fact that you can achieve many activities without having to understand the "why" behind them. For example, I am typing on this forum without having to understand how it is possible for me to do so. My students are learning to cook, where the "why" is essential, and their unwillingness or inability to think that way is a great challenge to their success in the kitchen.
