The Net Generation?

The New Generation...What makes a new generation so unlike the one that came before it?

In this case, our culture -- a culture of ever-changing technology -- has done something interesting... It has created the "Net Generation."

This is a generation of immediate response. Their tolerance of boredom is slim to none. These are the minds that are filling our 21st century schools. Are we prepared?

• They can study with the TV on and soak it all up.
• They come home, have a snack, CHECK THEIR E-MAIL, and then go outside or up to their room to hang out on the computer with their own personal Internet access.
• They spend more time texting than talking, and a cell phone isn't just for emergencies anymore!
• Remember going to the library and walking through shelves of books for information? Kids today don't bother...it is much easier to just "Google" it from their home computer!

It is probably even a safe bet that if you are of an older generation, your kids have probably been the ones that set up the DVD player, the VCR, and your own personal e-mail account!

Technology is what this generation of digital natives knows. It changes your perspective to realize that the majority of this generation doesn't even consider computers to be technology!

Technology is what they have grown up with, and we would be downright silly to think that fact doesn't affect the way they learn.

We must find a way to incorporate technology into our classrooms in a hurry-- student response systems, Web 2.0 tools, wikis, blogs, and social networking, just to name a few. Believe it or not, these technologies are only the tip of the iceberg!

Browse the articles and blog entries below to gain more insight into the Net Generation and the changes that are in store for us as we find new ways of teaching to assist a new generation of learners.

Articles

• Prensky, M. Various articles at www.MarkPrensky.com.
  (Note: I was initially going to create a link to a few of Marc Prensky's articles, but that was not giving this man nearly enough credit. This entire page of articles is FANTASTIC. This is not only incredible information, but a challenge to teachers and parents everywhere!)
• Various Authors. Educating the Net Generation - An Educause Book.
• Skiba, Ph.D., FAAN, D. The Net Generation: Implications for Nursing Education and Practice.
• Simpson, S. Can Generation M Learn Its ABCs?.
• Hay, L. Educating the Net Generation.

Blog Posts

• Colaizzi, M. Blog Entry: Teaching the Digital Natives (aka our kids)