Today we had a discussion about Generation Z. To be completely honest, I didn't even know that Generation Z existed. I thought they were all Millennials. Gen Z is defined as anyone born 1996 and later. Currently Generation Z comprises a little over 25% of the US population and has an approximate buying power of around 135 Billion dollars. While that is fascinating, as an educator, I was curious about the defining characteristics of the generation so I can better prepare my pedagogy and classroom for them.
For starters, this generation doesn't know what it's like to not have the internet always available. High Speed WiFi is the normal. Most don't remember or know what it was like to listen to your modem dial up AOL and cross your fingers hoping it connects, nor do they understand the heartbreaking disappointment when it takes a few tries to finally connect. They also don't know the excitement of hearing that voice saying, "You've Got Mail!" Mainly because companies didn't daily send multiple advertising emails.
With the constant connectivity, Gen Z is a much more global generation than those before, including the Millennials. Classroom assignments should have a global perspective. Students can handle it, and will relish the thought of their classroom work interacting with the outside world.
While many observers say that Gen Z are better multitaskers than previous generations... Science has demonstrated that multitasking doesn't actually exist. What Gen Z has learned to do is to focus on many tasks for a short period of time, as to easily switch between tasks. This has some benefits, also some major detractions. Students appear unfocused, and unable to concentrate on one task for longer periods of time. This learned behavior could potentially be misinterpreted as ADHD symptoms. As we move forward, we should figure out a way to both harness their code switching ability, and help them learn to focus on the types of activities that reflect what their workplace experiences will be like.
For starters, this generation doesn't know what it's like to not have the internet always available. High Speed WiFi is the normal. Most don't remember or know what it was like to listen to your modem dial up AOL and cross your fingers hoping it connects, nor do they understand the heartbreaking disappointment when it takes a few tries to finally connect. They also don't know the excitement of hearing that voice saying, "You've Got Mail!" Mainly because companies didn't daily send multiple advertising emails.
With the constant connectivity, Gen Z is a much more global generation than those before, including the Millennials. Classroom assignments should have a global perspective. Students can handle it, and will relish the thought of their classroom work interacting with the outside world.
While many observers say that Gen Z are better multitaskers than previous generations... Science has demonstrated that multitasking doesn't actually exist. What Gen Z has learned to do is to focus on many tasks for a short period of time, as to easily switch between tasks. This has some benefits, also some major detractions. Students appear unfocused, and unable to concentrate on one task for longer periods of time. This learned behavior could potentially be misinterpreted as ADHD symptoms. As we move forward, we should figure out a way to both harness their code switching ability, and help them learn to focus on the types of activities that reflect what their workplace experiences will be like.
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