February+Grown+Up+Digital-Reflections

__ Grown Up Digital __ Chapters One and Two While reading the introduction and beginning chapters of this book, I find it interesting to learn about the differences between the generations of people. My graduate classes have made me aware of our changing students. But this book is telling me specifically about the present generation of learners and their interests. I am amazed at their ability to multi-task and the integration of technology into every aspect of their lives. Tapscott makes it evident that this “Net Generation” will truly teach us, when we are ready to accept their knowledge. I am a member of Generation X or the Baby Bust according to Tapscott. I am one of the youngest members of this generation. His description of this generation was the most vague. He did describe my generation as “aggressive communicators who are extremely media-centered.” We are the closest adults to the Net Geners. The Net Generation is the focus of this book. Tapscott believes that their brains are wired differently than previous generation’s brains. This is the result of their constant use of technology. The Net Geners can work on their laptops or text on their cell phones at the same time. They also consider email out of date and prefer texting. This generation works better collaboratively. They are the first global generation. Cultures and customs will still continue to differ, but because of the Internet, youth around the world are becoming more alike. The Net Geners are the teachers to their parents when is comes to technology, and because of this, parents view their children differently than parents in previous generations. The Net Geners thrive on customizing, personalizing, and collaborating. They want to be able to play in their work and are used to instantaneous responses from everything. They are more tolerant of differences between gender and race. The Net Generation treats technology different from the Boomers or Gen X. I grew up in the 80s and 90s. Television, boom boxes, and Walkman were my technology. When I got home from school, I turned on the TV and watched “Little House on the Prairie”, listened to my cassettes in my boombox, or took the Walkman outside to listen to the radio (if reception was good on that particular day.) A couple of decades later TV is no longer as important to the young generation. They listen to it while they are using the Internet to create a movie, texting a friend, or updating their Facebook status. They are able to have thousands of songs downloaded to their iPod that is an eighth the size of my Walkman from the eighties. One study to which Tapscott referred showed that more Net Geners would be willing to give up the TV than the Internet. The Net Generation is a generation of creators and therefore, are influencing and shaping the Internet. They want an opportunity to create and change what is on the Internet. They use the Internet to share their lives. They create music videos, post photos, and stories. Net Geners view this as a way to have some control over the rest of their lives since adults control most of their time. The Net Generation no longer plays video games independently; they must collaborate with others to learn the secrets and clues to the games. An example of this is a dance game that incorporates a dance mat where the kids can get up and dance with their feet not just use the controls on the keyboard and compete against each other. The creation of movies and music is changing as well. The movies are becoming shorter and using a global community to edit. Some producers are putting the clips online and letting wannabe filmmakers create their own movie or change an existing movie. Filmmaking may become a bottom up creation. Net Generation kids are using the Internet to become involved politically. They are able to stage protests in various cities without politics getting involved and controlling the situation. They are using their cell phone video capability to capture and upload illegal activity of police officers. Tapscott addresses his concerns with the Net Generation for sharing too much private information online. I agree that this could be a very big problem. They are using Facebook to share personal profiles and pictures. Potential employers could eliminate candidates quickly by viewing their Facebook. My husband, owner of Tea Veterinary Hospital, uses this technique to eliminate candidates for positions. After receiving cover letters and resumes, he has his receptionists go onto the Facebook accounts of potential employees. He eliminates people if he sees partying pictures, large tattoos, and uncommon piercing. He feels, to create a professional atmosphere in his clinic and to create a caring and sanitary environment, he should use these guidelines to eliminate candidates. He also feels that someone who is responsible and trustworthy wouldn’t post inappropriate pictures on Facebook. Is this fair? It is the guideline he uses for choosing which people to take the time to interview face to face. Remember, we are the youngest members of Generation X in our thirties; our children are close to the Net Generation. How would an older CEO or president view such postings on Facebook? Would they be more or less tolerant than us? I think this is a very serious situation the Net Geners should consider. From Tapscott’s interviews, it seems that the Net Geners are not too concerned about what is shared online. I agree that they may find themselves missing job opportunities because of this.