© Joost Robben, August 2007

Learning environments for Net-generation learners Joost Robben Educational Science and Technology; Track: Human Resource Development Graduation committee: Dr. A.A.M. (Ida) Wognum Dr. M.R.M. (Martina) Meelissen

Context Tax and customs Administration (picture: ster.nl)

Tax and customs Administration

Context Age > 50 Need for new workers

Age > 50

Need for new workers

Context Generation of youngsters Work & learn program VMBO students

Generation of youngsters

Work & learn program

VMBO students

Mix of terms

Emerging digital media & web technology Virtual social networks Online communication (MSN) Online networking services (myspace) Weblogging Multi-user virtual environments Interaction through (online) games Gaming (fan) communities MSN - wiki

Virtual social networks

Online communication (MSN)

Online networking services (myspace)

Weblogging

Multi-user virtual environments

Interaction through (online) games

Gaming (fan) communities

MSN - wiki

N-gen characteristics Literacy Learning Reasoning Action Social Nature

Literacy

Learning

Reasoning

Action

Social Nature

Research questions What is the use of digital media and webtechnology by students of preliminary vocational education? 2. To what extent do students show Net-generation characteristics as a result of their use of digital media and webtechnology? Differences between groups caused by SES, gender, educational track Recommendations for the design of learning environments for Net-gen learners.

What is the use of digital media and webtechnology by students of preliminary vocational education?

2. To what extent do students show Net-generation characteristics as a result of their use of digital media and webtechnology?

Differences between groups caused by SES, gender, educational track

Recommendations for the design of learning environments for Net-gen learners.

Method Instrument Written questionairre Taken online and offline Questions on: Use of the internet (general) Use of MSN to send IM Playing games Weblogging Access to information Perception on the use of digital media & webtechnology 224 valid responses 4 educational institutes located in The Netherlands Preliminary Vocational Education Specialization in Economy 3 Educational tracks 3th Grade (born between 1990 – 1992) 55% boys Average SES = 3 (scale 1-5)

Instrument

Written questionairre

Taken online and offline

Questions on:

Use of the internet (general)

Use of MSN to send IM

Playing games

Weblogging

Access to information

Perception on the use of digital media & webtechnology

224 valid responses

4 educational institutes located in The Netherlands

Preliminary Vocational Education

Specialization in Economy

3 Educational tracks

3th Grade (born between 1990 – 1992)

55% boys

Average SES = 3 (scale 1-5)

Results 1. Use of the internet Extensive use was found On average one to several times a day (picture: stockxpert)

Extensive use was found

On average one to several times a day

Results 1. Use of the internet 14% 24% 28% Most favourite websites are social networking:

Most favourite websites are

social networking:

2. Use of MSN to send IM 98% uses MSN On average once a day To keep connected with friends (90%) Chat with several persons (+ 10) 200 Friends… (picture: msn.nl)

98% uses MSN

On average once a day

To keep connected with friends (90%)

Chat with several persons (+ 10)

200 Friends…

3. Playing games 79% plays (video) games On average several times a week Boys play more often 50% visits fan sites or communities (picture: stockxpert)

79% plays (video) games

On average several times a week

Boys play more often

50% visits fan sites or communities

3. Playing games Most favourite games are online: 40% 22%

Most favourite games are online:

3. Gaming Sport games: (www.fifa2007.nl)

Sport games:

3. Gaming Action games: (www.counter-strike.net)

Action games:

4. Weblogging 47% reads weblogs Only 15% writes in personal weblog Most visited weblogs are read from people familiar in real life. Students write about hobbies, music and movies.

47% reads weblogs

Only 15% writes in personal weblog

Most visited weblogs are read from people familiar in real life.

Students write about hobbies, music and movies.

Conclusions (1) Wide adoption of digital media & webtechnology by this group Most used technologies support relations with others Differences between groups exist Gender differences No differences between educational tracks Other research has found differences between other levels of secondary education (Duimel & de Haan, 2007)

Wide adoption of digital media & webtechnology by this group

Most used technologies support relations with others

Differences between groups exist

Gender differences

No differences between educational tracks

Other research has found differences between other levels of secondary education (Duimel & de Haan, 2007)

Members of the Net-generation seem to expose a ‘ social nature’ through the use of digital media & web technology Social protocols Conclusions on characteristics should be taken with care Multitasking Navigation Conclusions (2)

Members of the Net-generation seem to expose a ‘ social nature’ through the use of digital media & web technology

Social protocols

Conclusions on characteristics should be taken with care

Multitasking

Navigation

Hey… (picture: ster.nl)

…and what about learning ?! (picture: ster.nl)

Communities & networks of practice Support social interactions between learners using technology Combine strength of tools Weblog / wiki are challenge Differences between groups do exist Social nature Reach of the internet Recommendations for learning environments

Communities & networks of practice

Support social interactions between learners using technology

Combine strength of tools

Weblog / wiki are challenge

Differences between groups do exist

Social nature

Reach of the internet

Time for questions/ discussion

Thank you for your attention Joost Robben jrn@ stoas.nl http://joostrobben.spaces.live.com/ This study was partly funded by Stoas Learning (www.stoas.eu)