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%

Google

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