Net Gen Perspective

The Net Generation clearly has a different view of technology than previous generations had.  Being part of the Net Generation myself I can see how my outlook and ideas about technology differ from those around me who are from previous generations.  I believe that Carie Windham has it right when she states that “In our eyes, our technological savvy makes us smarter, easily adaptable, and more likely to employ technology to solve the problems of past and present generations” in chapter five of Educating the Net Generation.  Carie also goes on to say in that same chapter that “We cannot succeed in this world, we reason, without an understanding and command of technological advances.”  In addition to these statements Robert Kvavik states in his introduction to chapter 7 that to the Net Gen “Doing is more important than knowing, and learning is accomplished through trial and error as opposed to a logical and rule-based approach.” 

Being part of the Net Gen myself, I am in agreement with both Carie’s and Robert’s statements.  I believe that Robert Kvavik is absolutely right about the Net Gen’s approach to learning through trial and error.  Being part of the Net Gen myself I can find evidence of this in the way in which I approach new pieces of technology around my house.  I can clearly remember growing up in a home with parents who are from a previous generation and the tension that would be created when a new piece of technology would be brought into the home.  They wanted to first unpack everything and dive right into the documentation that would accompany any piece of new technology.  This wasn’t the case for my brother and I.  We wanted to dive right in and figure it out by doing.  Learning by trial and error is definitely a trait I can see in myself and also in my younger brother who is a part of the Net Generation too.  This is the approach that I use regarding any piece of new technology.  Whether it is a new car, a new television, or a new computer I would much rather be hands on learning by trial and error than by taking the time to read the documentation that accompanies many new things.

This ties right into the ideas that Carie Windham puts forth in the 5^th Chapter of Educating the Net Generation.  Carie claims that many of the Net Generation believes that one cannot succeed in this world without and understanding and command of technology.  I believe that this statement is becoming increasingly more relevant with each passing day.  Technology is replacing the “old way” of doing things on an ever-increasing scale.  You can see this in just about everything you do.  Even at the grocery store one is surrounded by technology.  No longer do you have to wait at the check out counter for a store associate to assist you.  Now you can simply check yourself out after shopping utilizing one of the automated self-checkout stations present in almost every store.  In order to take advantage of this new technology one must have a certain level of understanding of how to use the new technology.  Or, be a member of the Net Generation and dive right in and learn by doing which is how many, including myself, learned to take advantage of this new technology in stores today.  This is in contrast to many of the older generation who I would venture to say still wait in line to have an associate check them out after shopping because they are not as comfortable diving right in and using the new technology that is available to them in the stores of today.

Thoughts on Google Docs

Using Google Docs for our lesson plan project I believe was a good and valuable lesson.  I believe that Google Docs is simple to use and could be used in a very wide variety of ways.  Using Google Docs is an instant way to communicate with students or instructors.  Sharing information via Google Docs seems like a no brainer for instances where multiple drafts or copies of a document would be required.  Using the internet to share drafts and copies seems like not only a more efficient way of doing things but also better for the environment.  By cutting down on the need for printing we are helping to save paper and all the resources that go into making paper.  Helping the environment and having a more efficient and easy way to share documents is a win, win situation.  I believe I will try to utilize Google Docs in the future.