Alan Kay spoke about why technology based teaching fails back in 1987, as the personal computer revolution began. He explained that pedagogy should be considered before the technology. In other words, what we teach is more important that how we teach it. While technology can amplify the overall learning experience, what you actually learn is most important. As teachers, it’s our bottom line.
That being said…

Technology is essential to the learning environment and we are doing it all wrong.

Blackboard billed itself as the panacea to boring University lectures for the new “Net” generation. Yet, according to a study by the Research Initiative for Teaching Effectiveness at the University of Central Florida, older students are far more likely to be satisfied by online courses than Net Generation students. Online courses are just rubber stamp copies of off-line courses that don’t capitalize on the interactivity and immediacy of the Web.

I rebel against Blackboard. I normally create my own technology-based learning environments specific to what each class needs, sans the boring click-through presentations. I was sure that my approach was the best approach for what each class needed.

But I was still missing something.

I was born before 1984, and therefore my socio-cultural outlook is different than my students. I’ve discovered that for my students:

1) Learning is Social
Net Generation students crave interactivity with their peers and professors, even if they don’t meet in a physical class. Group work is very important to Net Generation students, even in online classes.

2) Learning is Immediate
Net Generation students expect quick responses from professors, something many professors don’t always have the time or interest to give. Net Generation students live in a communication environment where friends and peers are constantly “logged on” and reachable by either phone, e-mail or instant messaging.

3) Learning is Contextual
Used to automatic news updates, RSS feeds, SMS/ instant messaging, and even Facebook groups, Net generation students gather and respond to information unique to their personal data.

4) Learning is Visual and Auditory
No, this does not mean you need to learn Powerpoint. With cameras on their phones and earbuds pumping constant ipod music, it’s no wonder that the silence of the lecture hall lulls students into a deep and peaceful slumber.

5) Learning Still Takes Time
Work, friends, starbucks…with so much vying for their attention, the Net generation has a hard time with time management. In an article in the Chronicle for Higher Education, American University linguistics professor Naomi Baron says that Net Generation students writing and thought process lacks depth, since no time is set aside for proper reflection. There’s something to be said, argues professor Baron, for the ability to sit still and think.
I’d love to hear how you deal with the problems and solutions of the learning environment for the “Net generation.” Post your comments!

One of my students, runs multiple online businesses in addition to his school work. One of these businesses is band text alerts, that allows bands to text their fans about upcoming shows. I also just started using mint instead of quicken for my finances. Mint texts me when I go over my budget for the month.

Anyway, it got me thinking. What if I set up my students to be updated by text, about their assignments? They could even text and get an automatic reply with a grade update for their classes.

I wonder? Do they want to be reminded that they have homework to do while they are standing in line at the movies?