How the Generational Characteristics and Digital World We Live In Will Affect the Type of Teacher I Become.

1130 Words3 Pages

Generational characteristics and the digital world will influence the type of teacher an individual becomes in a number of ways. The digital world has a huge impact on teaching and learning (Howell, 2012), and will consequently affect the type of teacher a person becomes. The generational characteristics of Generation X give them a unique insight into an education without technology (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2009 & Dunn, 2011) and one rich with technology, and subsequently an understanding of the benefits and disadvantages of both. As teachers of the iGeneration they will need a sound understanding of digital pedagogy due to the increasing prevalence of technology in all aspects of society (Howell, 2012).
Understanding the influence of the digital world on the students being taught is as important as its influence on teachers, when considering teaching styles. This is because “the way students learn is as important as what they learn, where they learn and who teaches them” (Brady & Kennedy, 2010. p54). Understanding the abilities of children and the elements that influence how they think and learn allows teachers to structure lessons to ensure the required learning outcomes are met (McDevitt, Ormond, Cupit, Chandler & Aloa, 2013). The students of today, variously dubbed the iGeneration, generation z or ‘digital natives’ use more digital technology than previous generations (Howell, 2012). ‘Digital Native’ describes the generation that has grown up surrounded by technology; and are fluent in the use of various digital technologies (Prensky, 2001).
It is not only the variety of technology and the way Digital Natives interact with it that sets them apart from previous generations; their exposure to technology has chan...

... middle of paper ...

...he traditional lecture method. Retrieved from: http://www.cirtl.net/node/2570
Dunn, J. (2011). The evolution of classroom technology. Retrieved from: http://www.edudemic.com/classroom-technology/
Howell, J. (2012). Teaching with ICT: Digital pedagogies for collaboration and creativity. South Melbourne, VIC: Oxford University Press.
McDevitt, T.M., Ormrod, J.E., Cupit, G., Chandler, M. & Aloa, V. (2013). Child development and education. Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Australia
Prensky, M. (2001). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. On the Horizon 9(5) pp1-6. Retrieved from: http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf
University of Iowa. (2009). Supervision of intergenerational dynamics. Retrieved from: http://www.uiowa.edu/~nrcfcp/training/documents/Participant%20Packet%20Intergen%20Dynamics.pdf

Open Document