Generational diversity: Using technology for learning and teaching
Select the FIRST area in which your presentation best fits.
Community, Vocational, and Technical Colleges
Presentation Format Requested
Poster (60-90 minutes)
Session Abstract
This study investigated community college students and instructors to examine their learning and teaching characteristics and preferences as well as perspectives of using technology for educational purposes among the different generations.
Target Audience
Learners and educators who are interested in applying technology in learning and teaching, as well as those who are interested in community college teaching and learning.
Learning Outcomes
By attending this session, participants will 1) identify the characteristics of each generation, 2) understand the impact of these generational traits on the teacher/learner relationship, 3) learn how to use generational traits to facilitate learning; 4) identify the perspective differences of using technology in learning and teaching among different generations.
Session Description
Different generations of learners may think and learn differently (Lai & Hong, 2015). Compared with previous generations, people of Millennials and Generation Z who are often called the digital natives usually embrace all types of technology when learning while older people try to avoid it (Kennedy et al., 2007). However, some researchers argued that only a small percentage of students use a variety of technologies frequently while the majority of the students use a limited number of digital technologies (Kenney, et al., 2010). Additionally, other studies (Guo, et al., 2008) shown no differences in university students aged 20 to over 40 regarding using technology for learning. Thus, in order to better understand the perspectives of using technology among different generations, this study investigates the learning characteristics and perspectives of using technology for learning among students based on the different generations. Additional to that, the present study meanwhile exams the teaching characteristics of instructors based on different generations as well as their perspectives of using technology for teaching. It is expected that this study will help educators to better understand the teaching and learning of students and instructors of diverse generations as well as their perspectives of involving technology in education.
Format & Technique
We would like to present our research as a poster presentation. The presentation will first introduce the characteristics of diverse generations including Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z. Previous studies regarding using technology for learning and teaching among different generations will be noted. Then we will introduce the method and results of the survey. Finally, a conclusion and an implication will be discussed.