The Net Generation

As part of the research for designing and developing the Web 2.0 Tools for Teaching and Learning course, I found readings on the Net Generation very enlightening in terms of understanding students of this generation as a “culture,” in contrast to previous generations such as the Silent Generation, Boomers, and Generation X. The book by Rynol Junco and Jeanna Mastrodicasa – Connecting to the Net.Generation: What Higher Educational Professionals Need to Know about Today’s Students – was especially informative in discussing the Net Generation’s core personality traits, their shared culture, and themes and considerations associated with this generation, particularly the impact to teaching and learning with students born after 2000. As a result, I included a session, “Net Generation,” in the Web 2.0 Tools course.

The motivation for educators to integrate Web 2.0 tools into curriculum content areas becomes apparent after reading this book and related articles. As “digital natives,” the Net Generation thrives on the use of technology as a way of life, and the use of Web 2.0 tools can actively engage students in learning through online collaboration, social networking, and an avenue for them to create diverse types of digital “content” (text, images, audio, video, presentations, etc.) that can be shared and viewed on the Internet. The Read/Write Web and Web–based tools (many are free) support a highly learner-centered environment and foster co-construction in the learning experience. It would seem to behoove educators to model and embrace technology, such as Web 2.0 tools, to enhance instruction in ways that are relevant and meaningful to students of this generation. Professional development opportunities would be critical so that educators may keep pace with new educational technology.

(image source: http://communication.howstuffworks.com/how-net-generation-students-work.htm)

Living the Web 2.0 Read/Write Web

For my last “elective” course in the M.Ed. graduate program, I want to design my own “independent study” course that would be a creative endeavor, utilize my instructional design and technology skills and experience, and tap into a new area that I haven’t explored yet – Web 2.0 tools. I want to learn about useful Web 2.0 tools such as blogs, wikis, social bookmarking, podcasts, RSS, and multimedia – how to use these tools and how they can apply in educational contexts for teaching and learning.

While learning about these tools, I plan to design and develop a “course” that can be delivered in a Web-enhanced, hybrid/blended, and/or fully online learning environment that will be beneficial to educators – faculty in higher education, K-12 in-service teachers, graduate students in M.Ed., M.A.T. and education certificate endorsement programs, and undergraduate education majors seeking teacher certification. Based on graduate research I have done and from my teaching experience in K-12 schools and higher education, I see there is a need to prepare in-service and preservice teachers in schools and higher education with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on real-world experiences to integrate technology into curriculum content areas. I have obtained university approval and also a faculty member to sponsor me in this endeavor and have one semester to accomplish my goals before I graduate in May '08. It’s a pretty tall order, so wish me luck!

(image source: http://www.learnit2.com/tutorial%20018/index.html)