Libraries, Learning, & TechnologyNet Generation Student Preferences
Marlo Young & Katy Farrell9/8/05
University of California, San Diego Libraries
Presentation Overview
• Learn about Net Generation characteristics & preferences
• Examine technological influences and emerging trends in higher ed, teaching, learning
• Q&A w/ Net Gen Panel
The Net Gen
• 13-28 year olds, 1977-1992
• Born wired
• Twitch speed, parallel-processing abilities
• Highly motivated & competitive
• See working, learning, and playing as the same
The Net Gen
• Embrace “social software”,
collaborative and portable
technologies
• Community-centered
• Accustomed to Digital Immediate Gratification
• Associate computers/Web with conducting research
How Do You Research?
Google/Web
54%
Talk to
People
7%
Library
39%
Bookstores
0%
What Best Defines “Research”?
Scientific
Experiments
21%
Academic
Scholarship
24%
34%
Research
Paper/Project
21%
Info Age • Digital Era
• New, critical literacies needed; students & citizens
• New information, communication, learning technologies
• New communication & research preferences
• Critical thinking, life-long learning essential
Information Literacy
Patricia Senn Breivik“21st Century Learning & Information Literacy,” Change, March/April 2005
Digital Era Standardsfor Higher Ed
• Information & Communication Technology Literacy, Educational Testing Service International ICT Literacy Panel, 2001
• Information Technology Fluencies, National Research Council IT Literacy
Committee, 1999
• Information Literacy Competency Standards, American Library Assoc, ACRL, 2001
21st Century CompetenciesDisciplines & Professions
• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
“They (teacher ed. candidates) are able to appropriately and effectively integrate technology and information literacy in instruction to support student learning”
Net Gen Expectations of Higher Ed
• IT integration w/learning
• Expect access to global info 24/7
• Education is a commodity
• Enhanced personal support and customized learning opportunities
• Value-added courses, experiences
Generation Y: A Perspective on Americas Next Generation and their Impact on Higher Education, Merritt, 2002
Net Gen Cognition & Technology
Main Cognitive Style Changes:
1. Twitch Speed vs. Conventional Speed
2. Random Access vs. Linear Thinking
3. Graphical First vs. Text First
4. Connected vs. Stand Alone
5. Active vs. Passive
Net Gen Cognition & Technology
Main Cognitive Style Changes:
6. Play vs. Work – Play is Work!
7. Payoff vs. Patience
8. Fantasy vs. Reality
9. Technology as Friend vs. Foe
Libraries as Place: Rethinking Roles, Rethinking Space
• Changes in learning patterns
• Changes in collections
• Changes in use
• Changes in technology
Council on Libraries & Information Resources Report, 2005
Net Gen Research Behaviors
• Research online: simple search engines, instant results
• Issues of time & difficulty of concern
• 11pm to 4am: normal study,
homework hours
Net Gen Research Behaviors
• Minimal exposure to research process, terms, website evaluation
• Using both physical & virtual library
• Accustomed to interactivity,
media-multitasking, DIG
Net Gen World
Net Gen & Libraries
• Collaborative space
• Noise-friendly & quiet spaces
• Computer friendly
• Comfortable, mobile furniture
• Food & drink
• Library as place
Role of the library as a place to study and socialize was more important than place to get info
CLIR Report, 2002
Information, Education, & Public Services
Edu. Technologies w/Net Gen Appeal: Blogs, online discussion forums
RSS feeds
iPods, MP3 players
Cell phones
Online, educational games
Instant Messaging
Audience Response Systems
=access to collections & staff
In Conclusion
For the Net Gen:
• Technology as a tool for access, learning, communication
• Physical & virtual emphasis on spaces for community, collaboration
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