Who are the Zs?
A recent study conducted by EDUCAUSE,
in the U.S., revealed that universities and colleges
are not ready for an information revolution,
due to slow social changes occurring
within them. But they must be prepared because
of a new reality.
The study stated that many new students are part of a new generation, called generation Z, which can be thought of as millennials' little siblings or the generation that came after millennials.
In simple words, to understand who they are, while both groups are knowledgeable in information and information systems, and also in new technologies, they have one distinctive difference, due to historic chance. While many millennials migrated into the information era by choice, Zs were born into it.
The study stated that Zs are dependent on information, they take technology for granted and that staying connected is a central part of their life. Zs are also aware of what's going on in the world, but don't ask many questions, since they're capable of informing themselves.
For a Z, doing is more important than knowing; learning is done by trial and error, instead of a logical and rule-based approach. They research data more than others, and don't like to be force-fed anything. Their preference for hands-on experience is a challenge they prefer.
What type of education system would be able to provide that? How should a Zs' potential be unlocked? They possess a unique set of skills already, which were developed to survive in a seemingly chaotic ocean-like information era. And not every institution is ready for them, and will most likely fail to impress Zs, especially when it comes to information systems, which they can easily sniff when it's not adequately utilized.
Zs would probably expect to have problems put in front of them, and to have a series of restrictions early on, so they can initiate their learning journey, and after a while as skills increase, so do the complexity of the problems they would try to solve. One might argue that in the old days, that was the way to learn, but nowadays, it seems that the methods of teaching have drifted apart from the methods of learning.
A lot of self-education is going around, and even though institutions are proud of what they offer, what they really offer for a Z are its facilities and services, or a set of experts that no other institutions have. And Zs will do their usual research, just as they always do. Probably self-educating themselves more than what educational institutions would like.
At the end, the people behind those institutions are the real assets that a Z would be interested in. The institutions would provide them with the desired hands-on experience. Nonetheless, let's all recognize one thing that as with all generations of students, Zs will be thrown into a world filled with challenges, for which they need to be prepared. And, for now Zs are here challenging the education system; afterwards, who knows.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
The study stated that many new students are part of a new generation, called generation Z, which can be thought of as millennials' little siblings or the generation that came after millennials.
In simple words, to understand who they are, while both groups are knowledgeable in information and information systems, and also in new technologies, they have one distinctive difference, due to historic chance. While many millennials migrated into the information era by choice, Zs were born into it.
The study stated that Zs are dependent on information, they take technology for granted and that staying connected is a central part of their life. Zs are also aware of what's going on in the world, but don't ask many questions, since they're capable of informing themselves.
For a Z, doing is more important than knowing; learning is done by trial and error, instead of a logical and rule-based approach. They research data more than others, and don't like to be force-fed anything. Their preference for hands-on experience is a challenge they prefer.
What type of education system would be able to provide that? How should a Zs' potential be unlocked? They possess a unique set of skills already, which were developed to survive in a seemingly chaotic ocean-like information era. And not every institution is ready for them, and will most likely fail to impress Zs, especially when it comes to information systems, which they can easily sniff when it's not adequately utilized.
Zs would probably expect to have problems put in front of them, and to have a series of restrictions early on, so they can initiate their learning journey, and after a while as skills increase, so do the complexity of the problems they would try to solve. One might argue that in the old days, that was the way to learn, but nowadays, it seems that the methods of teaching have drifted apart from the methods of learning.
A lot of self-education is going around, and even though institutions are proud of what they offer, what they really offer for a Z are its facilities and services, or a set of experts that no other institutions have. And Zs will do their usual research, just as they always do. Probably self-educating themselves more than what educational institutions would like.
At the end, the people behind those institutions are the real assets that a Z would be interested in. The institutions would provide them with the desired hands-on experience. Nonetheless, let's all recognize one thing that as with all generations of students, Zs will be thrown into a world filled with challenges, for which they need to be prepared. And, for now Zs are here challenging the education system; afterwards, who knows.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
