I wasn’t aware of all the different labels that have been assigned in the past, but here is a brief overview (for those who are equally in the dark):

• The Lost Generation: Those who fought in World War I (born pre-1900)
• The Greatest Generation: Veterans of World War II (born 1901-1924)
• The Silent Generation: Also known as ‘War Babies’ (born 1925-1945)
• The Baby-Boomers: Those born in post-war boom and are generally attributed with(born 1946-1964)
• Generation X: (born 1960′s to early 1980′s)
• Generation Y: Also known as ‘Millennials’ or the ‘Net Generation’. This label is more about their attitude  (born between late 1970′s to early 2000′s)
• Generation Z: Also known as the ‘Internet Generation’ (born early-mid 2000′s)

From what I can see the movement from one categorisation of generation to another has been about the enlightenment of the individuals to their surrounding based on different elements of cultural and economic influences. However, I think this only applies to the earlier classifications. Once we see the eruption of technical capabilities, and our reliance on it in our every-day lives, we can see the classifications above become entwined with technical advancement. This is why I opt to use the term ‘Generation T’ for children born post 2008/9 … the ‘Tablet Generation’. As with the classifications above I would also advocate the use of  the ‘App Generation’ in reference to the way in which we are now using and talking about technology – everything is about the App, whether it is smart phones, tablet PCs, or cloud computing (Chromebook).

Here’s a good example:

YouTube: Baby Works iPad Perfectly. Amazing Must Watch!

In this video a father gives his child a tablet for the first time, just look at how quickly she learns to use the home button to exit the app and find another …

You Tube: A 2.5 Year-Old Has A First Encounter with An iPad

There are loads of examples if you look for them, but the fact is that tablet computers are so intuitive that children of all ages can use them. Robert Thompson explains that a tablet, “with its touch interface … can help children extend their creativity using intuitive applications that allow them to color, trace letters and do simple counting exercise — the possibilities are endless.”

Please note that I am trying to stay away from identifying one tablet over any other (or even operating system) as it is the technology and how we utilise it that interests me, not brand or price (although we cannot ignore the importance that is placed on form over function and preference on iPad or Blackberry PlayBook or HP TouchPad, etc).

While the jury is out on whether tablets will replace traditional computers that use a keyboard and mouse, the children/student of the future “will still need laptops, because they’re great for doing school work and just try passing a degree without one, the same goes for many jobs” (Tablets: A backseat for creativity). This is, of course, based on the assumption that the education system will not change and we will still instruct and assess in the way we do now, which we have been doing for many decades before. But this too is changing, just look at the way in which recent Web 2.0 systems (blog, wiki, podcast, etc) have been introduced to the learning environment, and the way the students have engaged with it. If this continues then the historical framework of teach/assess will also change.

Are we ready to embrace the changes? I think we are; there are already schools around the world providing tablets for each child, game consoles are used for game-based learning, etc. While these could be viewed in isolation, don’t forget that 25/30 years ago there were only a very few schools that had a room full of computers for students to use, this is now viewed as the norm, in fact it is essential equipment.

So, how long will Generation T last? I don’t know, but I’m sure the developers at the big tech firms have already started planning for the next big ‘thing’ – but will it be a game-changer like the advert of smartphones and tablets? I welcome your input and ask you to leave a comment or thought below.

No related posts.

According to Derek Baird Teens Don’t Give a Twit About Twitter. Is this a surprise?

Facebook and other ‘friend-based’ social network tools are the preferred domain of choice for the discerning online teen, and Twitter has already been identified as having an audience with a Twitter average age in the thirties (whereas Facebook is most definitely a teen-orientated network; Facebook average age in the upper teens).

So, as Derek asks;

“If Gen Y (Generation Y/Millenials) really doesn’t give a Twit about Twitter, should educators be trying to integrate it into the curriculum?”

While Derek doesn’t go into any detail about whether we should be trying to integrate it or not, he does provide some good links to other online resources, urging us to read and make up our own minds.

So, here’s my two-penny’s worth … yes, we should make the effort. If we make the effort now, with Twitter, then we are in a position to start to understand what is happening with the Internet, and starting to modify the way we think and how we think we can incorporate new technologies and ideas into our teaching.

If we can do this with Twitter, or SlideShare, or games, or Diigo, or Delicious, or anything, then we are better placed to meet the next fad or craze head-on. We, as we considered the ‘older’ generation, will be capable of being proactive with changes (instead of reactive) and this can only benefit the learning environment we set for the students.

We are the ones who set the goals for the learning, but it is the students who set the expectations for their learning, which we must meet. If we can’t do it now, then we have little hope of bridging the divide next year, or the year after, when it will be even wider.

Related posts:

1. ‘Generation Y’ is dead, long live ‘Generation T’
2. Generation X vs. Generation Y (Pt.3)
3. Millenials / Generation Y Infographic

So, what is Google Wave, and what’s the fuss?

I am seeing lots of comments and links to it on twitter, but so far I still haven’t understood what it is. So, what is it, and do we need it? Google call it “a new model for communication and collaboration on the web“, and have split it into three distinctive areas;

Learn: “… makes you more productive”

Develop: “… put waves in your site and build wave extensions”

Build: “… uses an open protocol, so anyone can build their own wave system”

Basically, it seems like it pulls everything you use into one ‘interface’; email, blog, wiki, RSS, IM, search, etc.

I’m not seeing the point. So, in an effort to see through my own short-sighted attitude, I thought I’d turn to Twitter for some answers. Here’s what I got/found;

@jvaneck: posted a link to Google Wave Highlight Reel. Some interesting video snippets from the 80 minute Google Wave introduction; at least you don’t have to watch it all (thanks Jeroen).

@mashable: posted a link to  Complete Guide to Google Wave. Innovative feature list of Google Wave like real-time activity, embeddability (is that a word?), applications & extensions, open source (about time), playback, and file sharing are but a few.

@john_hsq: commented that “There’s no document management, workflow, CM, etc. It’s not even close to sharepoint”.

@SmartDataCo: posted a link to “Google Wave or just a Blip“. The post ends with moer questions than Wave has so far been able to answer.

Sorry, but I’m not really comfortable putting all my eggs in the Google basket. Only time will tell if it achieves the hopes and dreams us mere mortals have for it.

Please let me know if I’ve got it all wrong, or I’m heading down the right track. I am confused, I just don’t think we need Wave, yet.

Related posts:

1. Google Wave: 100 tips & tricks
2. Google Wave in education
3. Presentation: Email is so 1973 (Google Wave)

As a follow up to my post on Can Google help me? I’ve been doing more searching on eLearning and Blogging, and found this rather tidy blog post: Is Surfing the Internet Changing Your Brain?

Michelle brings the research of Gary Small, a Neuroscientist from the good ‘ol US-of-A that proposes the thoughts that we are undergoing an evolutionary change. In this New World there will be winner and losers: the winners will be the technical literate, the losers the ones who resists or cannot adapt.

Thankfully, it is not a case of the geeks taking over. Gary says:

“Technology can accelerate learning and boost creativity. But it also allows people to isolate themselves and ‘live’ online. But succeeding in the new ‘digital’ era will require a mix of traditional and technological social skills.”

From my view point I think I’m well suited to the New World as I’m learning the technology from a background in the real world. But what of the new generations; the Generation Y and Generation Z? They’ve not had to learn the ‘real world’ but have been launched head-first in to the new ‘tech world’ without the basic concepts and understanding of how to build and work with a real friendship, face-to-face.

Will this matter? Hell yes, How can you survive if you are incapable of interacting in real-time with real people? You must be able to know the difference between a real persona and the (often) fake virtual one. Gary concludes by saying that “tomorrow’s winners need to be comfortable in two worlds”.

Related posts:

1. Reading: "Global Mobile Learning Research Report 2009"
2. Distance Learning / Distance Education
3. Searching Twitter

According to a recent addition to Wikipedia (I know, I should know better than to read or even trust it) we are about to see the fruits of our labour undone by ‘Generation Z’.

This new sensation is defined as the “generation that will follow the Millennials” and “the Silent Generation”, but also has been called;

• ‘Generation V’ (for virtual),
• ‘Generation C’ (for community or content),
• ‘Internet Generation’, and
• ‘Gen @’

Generation Z are very young, yet very active consumers, born after 1995, they are very connected (from being born into a world of digitaltechnology). The have influence over their parent’s purchasing decisions, and are at ease with single-parent families or same-sex partnerships. They are comfortable with equality at home and in the workplace.

It is important to note that it is accepted that all generations are born into the most advanced technological periods in relation to their time, but ‘Generation Z’ are the latest addition (or edition) to the list.

Needless to say, the oldest individuals are only know entering their teen years, but they are already confident (sometimes aggressive) consumers who can and will break a brand, celebrity, etc if it (or they) no longer conform to what they believe or perceive as important to their daily life.

Generation Z, according to Virginia Matthews, are already considered to be “least physically active” and “content to travel our world virtually” group of individuals we have ever seen. But this will lead to all sorts of other issues; what employers save on business travel, they will no doubt spend on corporate gym membership and health insurance as the youth of today are already the most inactive and obese that have ever been.

Generation Z will;

• be an essentially transient workforce; they will move to where the work is, rather than expect to find employment in their home town,
• be relentlessly tested from an early age, they will see constant appraisal and feedback as the norm, not the exception,
• have more degrees, certificates and diplomas than any generation in history, but will need encouragement to notch up meaningful work experience,
• know sponsorship through their schools and clubs, by possible future employers, in a bid to secure young talent early on,
• have high salaries that will be less crucial; mortgages, bank loans and even private car ownership is consigned to the history books,
• live primarily via the web and for those who find work less than satisfying, a virtual or second life will become their comfort blanket,
• be loyal to employers; engagement at work will become an urgent priority as young workers switch jobs and locations more often,
• have had regular access to technology as children, but limited physical freedom means they will grow up fast, and
• use their political power via their online identities, not the ballot box.

“As Generation Y complete their secondary education and ease into further study and the workforce”, a point highlighted by the Generation Zwebsite, “the Generation Z’s will begin to move in. Generation Z’s will continue to be the dominant generation in high schools into the 2020’s. For tertiary and technical educators the Z’s will be the dominant generation until the 2030’s.”

From this we can deduce that the future of learning, and eLearning, depends on understanding and engaging with these learners.

No related posts.