Note – I apologize for the mess-up, I copied and pasted my post from Microsoft Word into blogger and after editing the HTML itself, it looks like something went incredibly wrong and this wasn’t posted correctly AT ALL! (Even now, I'm still having issues with the HTML formatting) So here’s the real post!
There are two specific times and places where the digital generation gap appears to be most prevalent:
*In the Workplace
*In Education
It is within these categories that a study of generational gaps in technology could be most beneficial and they would likely affect the three largest aspects of our everyday lives. If the generation gap is studied, society could learn to manage generational differences in technology use in the work place and in education.
A Bigger Problem Than a Stapler in Jello...
With Generation Y now entering the workforce and Baby Boomers keeping their jobs past the traditional age of retirement, it should be no surprise that there are clashes between ideas, opinions, and work ethics amongst the 3 generations populating the workplace all of which are now largely affected by how the different generations use technology.
A variety of surveys and research studies have been conducted in order to find insights and information about how the generation gap affects productivity and management in the workplace. As a result, people are starting to see some key differences between the generations at work:
(A better and more informational chart can be found here in PDF format. Looking closely, it quickly becomes obvious just how much technology use informs the workplace ideals of Generation Y).1
With these findings (and others hopefully to come), companies can learn about and implement new ways of employee management that takes into account these generational differences, thereby strengthening not only their own companies but also the global workforce as a whole. Additionally, while Generation Y fills the workplace, it’s becoming more and more difficult for older generations to find and keep jobs that require technology-based skills. Many of these jobs don’t have on-the-job training (employers expect potential employees to have prior education and experience with technology regardless of age) which makes it challenging for older, less tech savvy generations to even learn about the technology with which they struggle.2
Note Taking: Digital or Analog?
When broaching the topic of technology and generational gaps in education, there are some specific problems that quickly become obvious. The communication between students, classmates, and teachers; the technologies used in the classroom, the accessibility of education – these are each specific categories in which technology affects learning and teaching styles between the generations.
While a Generation X or Baby Boomer instructor might be used to set office hours during which a student can come and meet with them to communicate any issues he or she might be having in the class; the generation Y student expects to be able to communicate with their instructor at any time of the day via e-mail.
As educational institutions (run by Generation X and Baby Boomer faculty) routinely offer courses on campus at set times; Generation Y continues to demand that they be allowed to access to course content and information anytime, 24/7 at their convenience. “For the most part, universities operate in fixed locales, campuses, and on fixed calendars, semesters and quarters with classes typically set for 50 minutes, three times per week. In contrast, digital natives live in an anytime/anyplace world, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, unbounded by physical location.”3
And as Generation Y prefers the use of more technology based study aids (i.e. access to textbooks on their iPhones and iPads or the use of laptops for note taking); will generation X teachers see these things as distractions rather than aids?
Straight Up...
Overall, it's clear that because of the dominance of Generation Y (and the generations following), technology use will only continue to grow more and more pervasive throughout every aspect of our lives. As much as some members of older generations would like to, they can't stop it, and fighting against it would only make their own lives more difficult. If more studies can be done to learn more about the generation gap and how it could be closed (most likely through greater access to technology education for those who aren't tech savvy), then the generations would likely be able to communicate more effectively in the workplace, in education, and maybe even just in personal relationships.
Motivated student with an associates degree from Utah Valley University and currently attending the University of Utah majoring in Mass Communication with emphasis in new media. Passionate about technology, photography, design, social media and marketing.
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