Transcript Slide 1
Defining Generation Y: towards a new typology of digital learners Becka Currant Head of Learner Development and Student Engagement Overview • Introducing a new typology of digital learners • Scenario planning for the future • Outputs and outcomes • Next steps Developing a new typology of digital learners • Descriptions of ‘new’ students often relies on established and sometimes unquestioned definitions of ‘digital natives’ and ‘digital immigrants’ • Work at Bradford (ELP 1 & 2; HEA projects) suggests a more complex picture • Levels of digital fluency in social contexts may not translate or generalise into educational contexts The typology High Digitally Inexperienced Experience Digitally Reluctant Degree of educational contribution Low Digitally Experienced Low of technology Digital Socialites High Developing the typology 4 categories of learners: • Digitally Experienced – Institution needs to respond to expertise. Will it be fully supportive of their needs? • Digital Socialites – How can the institution harness their skills. Is there appropriate software available to support needs? • Digitally Inexperienced – Mature students? Haven’t really been exposed to technology • Digitally Reluctant – Not keen on using technology but know it is there and can use it What do you think of the typology? Do you agree with it? • Who are these learners – what does your experience suggest? • What skills, experiences and attitudes do they bring with them? • What do we currently know about these learners? Is there a national trend or significant variation? What do we need to know about them? • How will we find out about (research) our learners and their experiences? Scenario Planning How do we deal with these learners? Activity: in groups scenario plan for the future: • What does current research suggest about our learners? • Does this reflect your experience and research? • What skills, experiences and attitudes do new students bring with them? • What do we currently know about these learners? What do we need to know about them? • How can we best support them? • 15 mins discussion. Be prepared to feedback!! Feedback from Group Activity Group 1 Next Steps • Feed your ideas and experiences into the debate by joining our ning community: – http://elesig.ning.com • Come to the next ELESIG F2F event: University of Greenwich 8 & 9 July 2008