Most of the literature uses the early 1980s as t he starting point for the net generation. A recent article by Helsper & Eynon argues there are first and second generation digital natives….the emergence of social media and web 2.0 technologies has had a different impact – 1 st gen: 1980-1990 2 nd gen: 1990 -2000
Not sure the first or last items are really relevant to our discussion I think the key point is that the net generation is portrayed as constantly connected, immersed in networked, digital technology ….so points 2-5 are most relevant
Under the topic of how the net gen uses technology/media, I think it is important to emphasize the notions of interactivity, participation, collaboration …i.e., the argument is that this is not a passive generation like boomers who just sat and watched TV, they actively construct, create, collaborate, participate using the new digital tools….related to this is the claim that they are critical consumers and users of information blah, blah, blah.
Point to make here: the growing use of digital technologies is presented as an argument for using them even more, in different aspects of the lives of the net generation …i.e., since they are all using facebook for social purposes we should be using it for educational purposes and that this is what the net generation wants…
M uch of this is based on inaccurate assumptions about current teaching and teachers
![Overview ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)