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Today we learned a lot about generational divide and the different perspective of technology among the four generations that have very different characteristics. If we looked into technology as a language that changes over the generations, we can see the major differences that can create holes in communication. For example, when someone from an older generation forms their hand into the "hang loose" sign that is supposed to represent a phone, many from the newer generations do not understand that the hand symbol is supposed to represent a phone because that is not what their phones look like now. The newest generation, gen Z, is one that I recently did some minor research on and I read something that surprised me (https://www.pace.edu/sites/default/files/files/faculty-center/teaching-generation-z.pdf). The fact that gen Z crave constant connection is not a characteristic I would have placed on this generation because I was equating connection and in person as similar concepts. However, after today's lecture I see how this fits because connection can happen completely over the phone, especially with FaceTime study groups. Everyone in the group is still in connection with each other even if they are not looking at or even talking to each other because it feels like they are together in the same room after a busy structured day. How this connects to the classroom is that the students view technology as a positive medium that helps them engage in collaboration and connect. This means they are engaged when doing things like collaborative note taking because in a way they are helping to create connecting within the class, instead of doing their own separate note taking thing. This also means that you cannot entirely blame them for feeling the need to use their phones or social networks in class to attempt to connect with their family or their friend groups outside of the classroom (mainly in fear that they will miss something), you do not need to allow it, but it is better to check in with them on what is going on rather than make assumptions. Another characteristic about this generation is that they have the world at their fingertips and we need to challenge ourselves as teachers to get them to think deeper. When any answer is a click away, we need to get creative in how we ask our questions and the way we want them to be answered, and we learned today that technology can assist us with that. We still need to ask deep questions that Google might not be able to give the answer right away to, but we can use things like Flipgrid to watch a video of the way a student figured out a math problem. Technology could be seen as a problem, but it could also be seen as a resource and solution. If you just step into the shoes of gen Z student and look through their perspective it can definitely open your eyes up to see technology as a solution.
Do you think that Gen Zers crave connection because the connections they make through social media and their phones don't satisfy the human need for connection? I agree that my eyes were opened to their way of communicating and that even if they are on the phone, that doesn't mean they aren't engage with each other. I just wonder how fulfilling those kind of interactions are.
ReplyDeleteI think certain types of connections through technology are positive. You pointed out the collaborative notes, and how that helps some students pay attention in class better. This, to me, is an advancement and creates a more inclusive classroom. I think you took on the perspective of a Gen Z student well, and hit it on the nose that technology can become the solution to problems we will face in the classroom.