Thursday, January 22, 2015

IT 6230 Unit 1 Blog

As a high school teacher I have only worked with students in the Millenial generation. I am a part of that generation as well as I am 30 years old and born in 1984. I can remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when some of the events they mentioned happened. The biggest one that I feel I have lived through is 9/11. This is a day that many people will never forget. It happened my senior year of high school. I remember watching the news footage in my zoology class. I have friends that have been a part of the Iraq wars. I think the events that they mentioned definitely impacted our generation and my life. Another event I would add is the power outage that went on in 2003. One part in the video I thought was very interesting was when the girl held up a sign that said only 18% of her teachers knew her name. When I think about how education changes and moves to online and hybrid classes, I wonder how much technology will effect students and their relationships with their teachers. I also found it alarming that 63% of teachers do not let their students use technology to create as assignment.

I feel some of the things that they have used to describe our generation are true. I think my students are big into gaming. As a teacher I try and relate things to the games they play. Most recently I used the trivia crack app as an example in class. I also feel that my students are very socially conscious. The students seem to care a lot about the opinions of their peers. A negative opinion or rumor has a huge impact on a lot of students in class. This is something that I think does describe a majority of students I teach, but I’m not sure I would say the same for myself or my friends. Students in this generation are big time multi-taskers. An example I would give is students have a much easier time staying focused on work in class while listening to music. Many students study to music. This is something that is very true for me. The last thing I find to be true is the thought that our generation is tech savvy. I know that many students help their parents use technology.


One thing I disagree with is a characteristic given in the introduction video. I would not say that today’s students are spoiled rotten. I have many students that work to support their family or that have to wait for 2 hours after school for a ride home. As a coach I often have to drive my athletes home from games or practices. I think that there are some students who are spoiled but I believe the majority of today’s students are not spoiled. Another thing I would disagree with is that the generation is healthy lifestyle. I think that the opposite is true. Many students spend time on technology now instead of being active.

11 comments:

  1. Yes, those comments are sometimes focused on a particular subset (in all likelihood, the affluent), which doesn't translate to the "majority." This generation has also grown up in the age of "likes", where self-esteem and self-worth are incorrectly quantified by the number of likes on their Facebook/Instagram posts, and the number of followers they have.

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  2. I believe that historical events do play a major part in how we interact and engage with change, especially when it refers to technology. Although, my children are considered Generation X based on their year of birth, I can relate how the events affected what we use as technology. I remember when having an electronic device called a typewriter or word processer that had correction tape was viewed as technological advancement. Now look at the technology choices we have and how different age groups and professionals use these tools on a daily basis. I enjoyed the videos also because it indicated how entertaining the millennial generation is. I realize that there are technologies tools used that were not available; however, face-to-face is important because some students need physical contact to answer questions. Sadly to say, many of our classroom teachers do not have access to computers, laptops or iPads. If we were able to have the equipment we need to deliver instruction like business and industry, that issue would not be a problem. I witness seeing other teachers trying to incorporate technology into their lessons, but had obstacles such as scheduling limited lab time.

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  3. Will,
    According to Twenge you also have the characteristic Generation Me because you are self-liking, have narcissistic traits, high expectations, benefit from a more structured learning experiences to name a few. I thought her generation character descriptions are quite interesting.

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    1. I find them interesting as well. Now i obviously don't think those describe myself I could see how they describe some of the people within the generation

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    2. I just wanted to add a little humor. But I agree that the characteristics Twenge noted were some additional description for those born during different time periods.

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    3. But this is an important distinction. Did we associate ourselves with only the positive/complimentary aspects of the generational descriptors? For example, I don't see myself as a slacker (a common Gen X label...a negative one). But I do acknowledge my generation's pessimistic label.

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  4. Hi Will, I agree with your statement about 9/11 being one of the biggest events to impact your generation. I was teaching 6th graders that day. Watching the event unfold was more than some of them could comprehend. I remember a couple of students asking if anyone got hurt or even died. Several years previous to 9/11 students were watching the Challenger blow up (29 years ago) I was at my daughter's school when that event happened. Then there was the shooting incident at Columbine High School. Baby boomers compare these event to the day President Kennedy was shot. It seems each generation has an event, which impacts them as a group. A point in time in which they can identify, remember where they were and what they were doing and how they felt.

    I agree your generation is very tech savvy. I also agree that not everyone has the same opportunities. Economic events over the past 5 years have effected some students more than others. I had students in my class who were homeless, living in the basement of a family member's or friend's home. Those things impact student's too. Transit numbers have increased during this time at many schools.

    The role and responsibilities to provide technology training to homeless students fall on schools. Some homeless students only have access to computers at home or library.

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    1. I think you bring up a good point that technology and all the great things in brings into the classroom, will also bring issues with students who may not have access to things like computers because of financial issues

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    2. Keep in mind that many of these observations from the readings were of affluent kids; thus, they were more shielded from the last recession.

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  5. I am a little bit older, born in 1974. I too remember 9/11 but I was an adult with a small baby. I was an adult, in my 20's when the internet exploded. In watching this weeks video, I laughed a bit because I remember trying to download a picture and waiting forever, then the connection was lost and the frustration of starting all over? Is this pic really worth waiting 15 minutes for? I also remember the horrendous dial up noise and somebody using the phone. We had a computer lab in high school back in 1992, but we mainly used it for word processing. Most of what I have learned has been on the job and evolving. I do see my students expecting the latest state of the art technology. I am troubled by the priorities families seem to have now. The latest iphone or ipad over school supplies (my mom can't afford the posterboard for the presentation). I have used Prezi and google slides with my students, some do well, others not so much. Another thing I'm noticing is the inability to use a keyboard efficiently. Click with the mouse in each box rather tthan tabbing through as an example. I feel I need to teach them how to use the tools efficiently even though they are pros at using the internet.

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    1. Your concerns about students not being able to use the keyboard are valid. After listening and watching Erica Hargood's final presentation for Unit 1 explaining GenEdge I understand why the students want to just click the box and tab through as your example explains. Some districts cut keyboarding from the curriculum perhaps for financial reasons the cost of programs and teachers salary, but also to expand other courses. I think it was a huge mistake. I did taught keyboarding several years ago. What districts should have done was push the level of teaching keyboarding to lower levels. It is interesting that districts have also cut handwriting from their curriculum as well. In Japan, students do not use computers until they have learned to write the alphabet. I thought Erica's presentation reminding teachers to be aware of the research in articles. I think it is also true that integrating technology can be challenging for teachers is the wide range of experience the students have using technology.

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