Emerging Technologies: Growing Up With Google

In this article, "Growing Up with Google - What it means to education", author Diana G. Oblinger describes the values of the net generation and contrasts then against the values of older generations. Net generation students, born after 1982 - see the internet and Web 2.0 technology as an organization tool, which helps them to manage their relationships and lives. They value getting their information fast, and place a high value on convenience, collaboration and creation, preferring experential learning to book and lecture style learning. Due to the expansion of multimedia options, the Net Generation is accustomed to visual learning.

While the article describes the general values of the Net Generation, it also warns against making assumptions or "sterotyping" the generation, warning that not all Netters have an equal level of comfort with all technology tools or even a equal desire to incorporate technology into their learning. Furthermore, skills and equipment vary widely.

The author concludes (and I agree) in suggesting that educators need to help students to confront ethical and privacy issues that arise from the fast paced use of the internet, and continue to emphasize the basics such a critical thinking and information analysis. In other words, while the tools may change, and the values of the student align with the new systems, it is the teacher's job to find new ways to help students make decisions around age old ethical issues.