engleski

Characteristics and Particularities of Educating the Net - generation

This paper will examine the specifics of the new, so-called Net- generation and the challenges faced by the school system and teaching methods from pre-school to higher education level. After explaining the term "Net-generation" and examining the characteristics of this generation, the problem of expectations brought by the students growing up in the digital age, as well as their teachers, shall be analysed. Special attention shall be given to the thesis of changed competencies, preferences and learning styles of the Net Generation, the time to clarify the question of whether we are truly dealing with a "new type" of students, or simply new terms used to describe them (Generation X, Y, Z ; Digital natives, Digital immigrants, etc.). Some claims, often given in scientific and technical literature, for example, that the Net generation has a shorter attention span or that they expect a different way of teaching and organizing classes, must also be re-examined. Specifically, these are the characteristics and observations present in the criticism of education in all periods, practically from the beginning of recording formal education. Each successive generation has brought a novelty that teachers often refused at first, and then adapted themselves to it. Therefore, the so-called Net-generation characteristics can be assessed both positively and negatively. The positive characteristics could, among others, include the possibility of rapid reception of information, quick reactions, multitasking, ability to connect the visual and the spatial dimension and understand of visual messages, networked (hyperlinking) rather than linearly received information, giving priority to group work, networking and team work, inductive detection, willingness to try new things, etc. New generations are looking for faster feedback, change topics quicker and seek freedom in their choices. Certain dangers are evident in their increased use of media, isolation, superficial contacts and the reduction of the number of actual contacts, trying out new roles, restlessness, dominance of the visual, the reduction of written language and word processing tasks, dangers that the it brings itself, lack of movement and so on. The digital age has brought numerous cultural changes visible in society in general, and consequently in the field of education. Identification and analysis of these changes, with particular reference to the characteristics and particularities of the Net-generation, are the subject and the aim of this study.

Net-generation, learning, school system, media, education, changes

This research was realized at the Faculty of Teacher Education of the University of Zagreb in Research project „School for Net-Generation: Internal Reform of Primary and Secondary School Education“ (duration 2015.-2017.) - financed by the Croatian Science Foundation