Week 2 - Talking About My Generation
The readings this week got me thinking about the way in which I use the internet and function on the web. Growing up in the digital age, I'm used to having computers as part of daily life. My earliest memories involve me playing a NES video game system. My first computer class was in fourth grade, but we had an old Apple computer in the classroom beginning in third grade. Being born in 1988, I don't recall a world without some significant degree of digitization.
The web, though, is slightly different. When we first set up our family computer connected to the internet, I had no idea how to use it or where to even begin learning about it. It was not long after that when we started having our first world wide web lessons at school. At the time, the idea that we could connect with our friends outside of school, in our homes and in chat rooms and messaging programs was captivating. Looking things up on CD-ROM encyclopedias, finding homework help on kid-friendly websites, and even exploring sites well outside my age range was such a cool concept.
My generation (millennial, generation Y, net-gen, what ever you'd like to call it) has commonly been perceived as all-online, completely capable of navigating the web easily, and more knowledgeable about digital concepts. However, from what I've seen in me and from my peers is that we're no more knowledgeable than any other generation. Sure, we've been surrounded by digitization for just about our entire lives, but what the readings and my experience show is that being a digital virtuoso is all about personal preference. I have friends my age that can only use social media and navigate Netflix and do not have any clue how their computer works, and older relatives who can write code and use digital media expertly.
An important point I learned through the readings is really a reminder of what I've been learning throughout my semesters in the ISLT program – instructional design now must be about meeting the learner where they are. Whether considering pedagogical strategies or internet visitor/resident status, an instructor cannot simply assume that certain generations are more or less capable simply because of their age.
Hello Alex in Summer School! I agree with you that one cannot assume that certain generations are more or less capable of using technology due to their age. There are programmers older in age that could leave many 20 year olds in the dust and visa versa. Do you feel that teaching more about technology should be integrated into education at a younger age? For example, should everyone have to take basic coding courses in high school?
ReplyDeleteHi there TeachMusicTravel,
DeleteThanks for your comments. I feel like technology is already integrated into education for young children, but they may be focusing on the wrong concepts. I started taking computer classes in 4th grade, where they taught us how to use a word processor and to do basic spreadsheet activities. I think knowing how to use those programs is necessary, but schools don't go far enough with teaching children about how their computers work.
One of the readings recommended that school children should only learn about computers using the computers that they build in school, which is a fantastic idea. Teaching coding in high school as you suggest is another great idea. It shouldn't even be an elective – it should be taught as a required part of learning technology and the web. In addition to that, we should start exploring Web2.0 as a topic to teach in elementary or middle school. We can't stop kids from using social media, so we should integrate it more into the school system.
I see people my age using their thousand-dollar laptops as nothing more than note-taking Facebook machines. This is despite being part of a generation completely surrounded by digital technology and media. I think integrating the technological aspect of the digital era into curricula is a necessary idea. However, I don't think young people's brains have changed like Prensky may believe!
YES!!! Meeting the learner where they are!! What do you think about Competency Learning - https://www.gettingsmart.com/2016/05/how-can-you-truly-meet-students-where-they-are/ ?
DeleteI'm a huge of of Maria Montessori, even for adults. Do you know much about her philosophy? https://www.middleburgmontessori.com/post/2017/07/06/montessori-fun-facts
Thanks for sharing those links! Competency learning sounds like an ambitious idea. Being used to the traditional school system, I find comfort in the predictable schedule. But as we all know, that doesn't work for every individual. Having more flexibility for learning goals is something I should be very excited about, considering how excited I am for flexible working schedules.
DeleteI'm familiar with Maria Montessori, but always thought her ideas were intended only for children! I think her ideas are valuable, and changed the way people look at early childhood learning. I'd be interested to see how the Montessori style is applied to adults.