Lesson 5: Preferences of the Technology Generation

What the old generation likes may not be the same as what the new generation prefers in their life, work and leisure. The old generation really differs to our new generation now. As technology stages a change along a global dimension.

In education there is really a big difference. Lesson V differentiate the preferences of the technology generation. Single and multi-track activity patterns - The old generation would prefer to watch tele novelas which takes time. They would really love that single-track patterns of activities, they socialize and do some activities. Compared to our new generation they tend to be exposed on a quick activities, which has a task switching speed. Texts versus visuals – our parents before spend their time reading books and they went to library in order to research but our generation today, has a greater affinity to visuals just because of a one-click technology. Linear versus hyper media- it is said that the old generation, obtained information in a linear, logical and sequential manner. And this made them, logical, focused and reflective thinkers compared to our generation today, follows a personal random access to hyperlinked digital information. This made them appear more easily bored and distracted during class lectures. The independent versus social learners – this states that the traditional education system gives priority to independent learning. The new learners however, are acquainted with digital tools that would help them in searching gets easier. Learning to do versus learning to pass the test – it is said that old teachers teach the students in order to pass the test. While the new learners would simply wanted to acquire skills, knowledge, and habits. Delayed rewards and instant gratification – the traditional reward in education consists in the grades, honor certificates and diplomas. While, digital learners are contented on the feedback they had online. Rote memory versus fun learning – it is said that teachers feel obliged to delivering content-based courses, the learning of which is measurable by standard test. On the other hand, digital learners prefer fun learning.

After reading this lesson, I discover that there are things that we should still adapt on the way how the old generation learn. But we need also to remember that as a teacher he/she must not only stick on what he/she believes in on their generation. When I was in Elementary, we had this student teacher that really believes in old ways of learning even when I was in Highschool our sister always told us to go to library rather than log in a computer laboratory maybe because our sister feared that we will end up logging in Friendster or will just simply play computer games.

As a reflection, we should know how to balance everything, in this lesson where comparison was made between old learners and new learners, we can still apply what the old learners did before. When we just solely rely on digital help we may become so lazy that we don’t have time anymore to be logical in thinking. As an application, I will try my best to teach my students with the proper usage of technology.