The document explores the characteristics and learning preferences of the 'Net Generation,' defined as individuals born between 1982 and 2000, who are deeply integrated with technology. It highlights their expectations for interactive and engaging education, emphasizing the importance of visual literacy, self-directed learning, and communication through digital means. The implications for teaching include the need for teachers to facilitate experiential learning and involve students in decision-making processes related to their education.

1. The Net GenerationWhat the research tells us.

2. RationaleThe following slide show is a collection of ideas I found extremely helpful when trying to gain a deeper understanding of the Net Generation. I have referenced scholarly sources to support my ideas and have organized the material into several subheadings:Who is the Net Generation?/ How are they different?How do they learn best?What are their learning expectations?What are the implications for teaching this generation?

3. Who is the Net generation?The Net Generation is generally considered to be “any person born between 1982 and 2000.” (Trinder et al. 2008.) “More specifically they are native speakers of technology, fluent in the digital language of computers, video games, and the Internet.” (Prensky, 2007.)“The Net Generation have spent their entire life surrounded by all the tools and toys of the digital age.” (Grist & Bailey, 2006.)“The N-Generation now represents 30 percent of the population, compared to the boomers’ 29 percent.” (Tapscott, 1997).

4. How are they different?“Online life has become an entire strategy for how to live, survive and thrive in the 21st century, where cyberspace is a part of everyday life.” (Prensky, 2004.)“Having grown up with widespread access to technology, the Net Gen is able to intuitively use a variety of IT devices and navigate the Internet.” (Oblinger & Oblinger, 2005.)

5. How do they learn Best?When they can represent their ideas visually: “The Net Gen are more visually literate than previous generations; many express themselves using images.” (Oblinger & Oblinger, 2005.)When they can direct their own learning: “The Net Gen is oriented toward inductive discovery or making observations, formulating hypotheses, and figuring out the rules. They crave interactivity.” (Oblinger & Oblinger, 2005.)When they are motivated: “Today, when a student is motivated to learn something, they have the tools to go further in their learning than ever before – far beyond their teachers’ ability and knowledge, and far beyond what even adults could have done in the past.”Prensky 2004

6. What are their learning expectations?Students do not want to simply type something on a computer, they want an engaging, challenging and exciting activity. “They don’t think in terms of technology; they think in terms of the activity technology enables.” (Oblinger & Oblinger, 2005.)“The Net Gen’s experiential nature means they like doing things, not just thinking or talking about things.” (Oblinger & Oblinger, 2005.)

7. CommunicationThey want to communicate digitally and through a variety of mediums. “All human communication changed radically with the advent of the worldwide computer network, and for no group more so than Digital Natives.” (Prensky, 2004.)They want to present and share their work to a wider audience. “Digital Natives love to share and report information as soon as they receive it” (Prensky, 2004.)

8. They want the opportunity to present their ideas without social and peer pressures and embarrassment “Kids quickly realized that “lookism,” that seldom-talked-about but insidious social divider, doesn’t exist at all on the web, and were thrilled to take advantage of this, with the ones who might be the least communicative in person reaping some of the biggest benefits” (Prensky, 2004.)

9. CreatingThey want the opportunity to create using a variety of programs. “Digital Natives are adept (or become quickly so, given the chance) at building Web sites, Flash movies, and other online creations.” (Prensky, 2004.)Tools: “The important point here is about tools. Digital Natives expect to have powerful tools available to them, and they know, by teaching themselves and teaching each other, how to use them.” (Prensky, 2004.)

10. EvaluatingStudents want to be assessed in a way they can relate to can understand. “One of the most widely used ways of establishing a reputation is though rating systems.” (Prensky, 2007.)

11. What are the implications for teaching this generation?Students should be given the opportunity to find their own answers using the tools available to them. “Digital resources enable experiential learning—something in tune with Net Gen preferences. Rather than being told.” (Oblinger & Oblinger, 2005.)Teachers become facilitators as students direct their own learning. “We also need to select our teachers for their empathy and guidance abilities rather than exclusively for their subject-matter knowledge.” (Prensky, 2007.)

12. “Teachers must practice putting engagement before content when teaching.” (Prensky, 2007.)Teachers need to involve students in everything to do with the classroom including; teaching methods, discipline and course work. “encouraging decision making among students, involving students in designing instruction, and getting input from students about how they would teach.” (Prensky, 2007.)

13. ReferencesTapscott, D., 1997. Growing up Digital : The Rise of the Net Generation.McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing: Blacklick, OH, USAGist, C. & Bailey, M., 2006. Digital Natives: Engage them or Enrage them. Retrieved on September 20th, 2010 from: http://www.marcprensky.com/Prensky, M., 2004. The Emerging Online Life of the Digital Native.

14. Prensky, M., 2007. Listen to the Natives. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development: Alexandria. Trinder, K., Guiller, J., Margaryan, A., Littlejohn, A. & Nicol, D., 2008. Learning from digital natives: bridging formal and informal learning. The Higher Education Academy: Glasgow.Oblinger, D & Oblinger, J., 2005. Educating the Net Generation. Retrieved on October 8th, 2010 from: www.educause.edu/educatingthenetgen/