Vicki,
there really is this significant tension present in our classes as both sides try to accommodate or understand the other.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Kathy,
if we can pull the love for & ability to access the quick information into the classroom & apply it to the weak areas we may see success.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Gen Y students or "Digital Natives" have grown up surrounded by technology. They are accustomed to instant information availability and demand that same instant gratification in the classroom. Instructors are challenged to keep technology from being a distraction (Facebook, texting) while trying to incorporate it into lesson plans to keep their students engaged.
I see both negative and positive effects of technology on Gen Y learners. The negative effects include the following: difficulty writing full sentences, difficulty writing papers, misspelled words in tests and papers, sketchy research, disinterest in programs like excel and word and plagiarism.
Positive effects include the following: ability to multitask, ability to manipulate and set up technological equipment, ability to maintain communication with friends and family through social media, ability to find sales and coupons, and a willingness to find quick answers on the internet.
I find that the negative effects are very damaging to Gen Y learners and that the positive effects do not help in the classroom.
I find it beneficial in that the subject I teach is easier to have them relate to as I can use the technology of today to cross reference the subject matter
Its always easier to google then to learn, is the student smart or his phone?
Ben,
I appreciate your response & I think it's important to note that most on this forum are not suggesting that "just because I learned this way you do too" is the right mentality. Rather, I think the greater concern is with what appears to be an overreliance on the very quick, sound byte answers that seem to be far too prevalent. There is nothing wrong with using the internet or other tech sources for answers & quick ones, but we need to help our students learn to evaluate the information they are reading. Is the source reliable & credible? Can you defend your position or are you relying on someone else's data or information? These are the kinds of concerns we have.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Loren,
this is a good point that emphasizes the value that technology has, but only when correctly applied or utilized.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I'm rather surprised at how jaded all of the responses to this question have been. Technology is a wonderful advantage to have. There is absolutely nothing wrong with an instant answer.
Should I think that knowledge is only worth while if you had to sift through a card file and find a dusty book and read it cover to cover?
We are doing the next generation a disservice by insisting that just because we had to learn a certain way they have to as well. I am excited at the prospect of what the next generation will be able to accomplish in their life time by learning with the tools they have available.
There have always been students in every generation that can't write a research paper or have poor handwriting - because they don't have any interest in it. A student from any generation will only be successful if they are pursuing what they really love.
The times are changing - the foolish people are the ones that won't change with it.
I am a Gen X teaching Gen Y's in a Fashion Design school. The Gen Y students are zombies to their texting and I-phone which I think greatly hinders their learning knowledge. It would be great if they used this technology to research fashion history but mostly they are happy to rely on Adobe Illustrator for their creativity.
Technology has significantly impacted the learning process of Gen Y students. My perspective throughout the years has definitely changed. In the beginning, my "old school" perspective was very anti-technology. However, I throughout my experience I have realized the benefit of utilizing technology within the classroom and learning process. I am still a firm believer that technology should enhance the learning process and not be allowed to completely take over the learning. I believe students need to know the basic fundamentals and have skill sets without technology. However, the Gen Y students are so used to and engaged by technology, I have found within my experience that utilization or technology within the classroom definitely captures attention and keeps students more engaged. Therefore, I teach the basics and give students the knowledge/skills they need without technology and then utilize technology to reinforce and enhance their skill sets/knowledge. I do often wonder what Gen Y individuals would do if technology were to ever "disappear" or have a significant failure -- would they be able to function? I hope my students would be able to function on at least a basic level because they have been taught those skills without technology; however, I wonder how long they will maintain the knowledge unless they periodically utilize the skills/knowledge without their technologies.
I see technology in education as a two edged sword. On one hand, virtually everything necessary to research and study various topics is available to them at a flip of a switch. On the other hand, with this convenience comes a lack of discipline and professionalism. I think that it is is extremely important to make our students aware of this so that they can successfully utilize technology without "losing touch" with the "real" world.
I feel students are too dependent on technology. They have trouble with the basics such as reading, writing and math. They can't retain or apply what they are taught in the classroom. All the technology in the world won't solve any of those issues for them.
In reading through a number of replies to this question, I would have to agree with the concern for the effect that technology has had on the ability of students (and the folks of Gen Y) to have healthy communication on many levels. I look for opportunities to have verbal and written communication with the students that I teach. In the healthcare profession, you still have to look people in the eyes and be able to talk about their need -with or without a computer nearby:).
Most of my students have an ipad or their laptop in lectures courses. They all have the slides on their computers and just add notes to it. It doesn't seem like there is much of the old school take notes with a pen and paper anymore! They are very savvy with the technology available for them to learn from.
Andrea,
and this is why we need to be teaching & demonstrating an appropriateness & balance in both areas so our students also grow in these areas.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Yes, I agree. Gen Y students have become too dependent on technology that they would be lost when they don't have the access to their electronics. If the instructors do not understand their generations then they can be accused of being lazy by taking the shortcuts or easy way out. It has negatively impacted their ability to focus in the classroom when they all have tablets and cellphones by them. They could miss pertinent information when the instructor is trying to explain when they input or text in their electronics. As far as researching papers, students will deliver what is assigned but will have difficulty retaining the necessary information long term because the process of learning is missing. Since everything is readily available online it would be important that the students become familiar in getting information through journals and reading materials such as books. The basics must be presented to them first then be allowed to use technology last.
Being born on the border of the Generation X and Generation Y, I feel I'm able to understand both sides to each spectrum. While I appreciate the value of books and using them for research, I also value having technology available to me on my phone or tablet. I don't miss carrying heavy books with me everywhere and enjoy knowing if a question arises while in the clinical environment, I can quickly access a wealth of up to date information for myself and my students. I agree overuse of technology can hinder learning but I also feel under using deprives students of valuable information.
I thinjk it inhibits the creative thinking of students. It makes it too easy to find a sutible answer instead of creating options of varied results.
Technology has greatly increased access to knowledge but sometimes I wonder if it hasn't also decreased retention of knowledge because a search engine is now almost constantly at our fingertips.
