Sharing Good Practice
Technology, Millennials and
the Net Generation
By Dr. J Liebenberg
A
nyone who has been involved
in education for a significant
period of time will be able to
name a piece of technology
that was once touted as the next great
solution/game changer – and have at
least anecdotal evidence of how this
never materialised.
Attend any one of the annual
‘education shows’ locally or abroad,
and one cannot help but come away
feeling quite cynical about technology
and the lengths vendors will go to sell
their appliances/devices – all in the
name of better education. My own
latest pet peeve was a TV vendor
trying to convince bystanders that one
can only understand the true nature of
DNA when you see it in 3D. Really?
As a result of these kinds of experiences,
many educators and school principals
are quite skeptical about the use of
technology in the classroom, viewing it
as more of a distraction than a ‘valueadd’. It is therefore understandable
that these educators will also question
whether the latest technology fad can
be used successfully and sustainably in
a classroom environment.
come to grips with learners
who are comfortable with
technology in one form or
another as part of their daily
lives, and the challenges
this poses for education. 4
(Normally in discussions like
these, one would have to
point out that these kinds
of umbrella terms are too
general and should not apply
to a country like the UAE, due
to the differences between
income levels and social
classes. However, as far as
technology – and specifically
mobile technology – is
concerned, it is fair to say
that learners from all levels of
society are already exposed
to mobile technology to
some extent.)
The principals and educators in this
category find themselves confronted
with a problem: their learners are
immersed in technology. Says author
Jean Twenge: “Today’s youth are
exposed to digital technology in many
aspects of the \