The net generation, the digital economy and online learning

1. The net generation, the digital economy and online learning

2. Aim and outline Aim To critically review the evidence for a Net Generation Outline Describe the growth in the use of digital technologies Define the Net Generation Assess evidence of five characteristics of the Net Generation in practice Comment on the rise of the Net Generation rhetoric

3. The digital economy

4. The net generation

5. Net Generation Always online, multi-tasking and constantly conversing Self taught highly digitally, information and technologically literate Sharing media files for entertainment and interested in learning through the use of games Young (born between 1980 and late 1990s), white, able bodied, single, middle class and mainly male Full-time students in elite universities studying computing and related topics A generation � it is assumed but not stated that this is a self aware generation

6. Methodology Literature review Telephone survey of 513 students in one large new university in 2005-6. In-depth interviews with 20 students

7. 1. Always online? Widespread computerisation (93% of students) Growing internetisation (72% of all students) Mix of campus and home use � often shared Online access outside University opening hours widespread

8. 2. Self taught and highly literate? All received IT training at school More than half had learnt from a parent or sibling Half had learned more through trial and error Vast majority were not digitally, information or technologically literate when they enrolled Most were digitally and information literate by the end of their UG or PG degree

9. 3. Sharing media files learning through games Very limited evidence of file sharing or interest in learning through electronic games Authenticity and ethical issues in gathering data

10. 4. Young, white, able bodied, single, middle class and mainly male? Few divides in ownership of computers Divides in internet access based on: Employment � those in work more likely Age � older more likely Ethnicity � no discernible differences Able bodied � no discernable differences Single - carers more likely Gender � no discernable differences

11. 5. Full-time students studying computing and related topics Mode - part-time students more likely Subject of study � art and education students more likely

12. Assessing the evidence Always online Self taught and highly literate � Sharing media and learning through games X Young, white, able bodied, single, middle class and mainly male X 5. Full-time students studying computing and related topics X

13. 6. A self aware generation

14. The rhetoric, sale and branding of the Net Generation

15. Conclusions Digital technology have been sold in increasing numbers over the last fifteen years The rhetoric of the Net Generation has been used to sell computers and internet applications There is little evidence that there is a new generation of highly information literate young students who are creating and sharing media and learning through games Students using these technologies come from all sections of a diverse student population and they need support to use these technologies, to question the use of these technologies and to avoid being inappropriately branded