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SYNC IN PROGRESS: Connecting the Technology Gap Between Gen Y Students and Their Professors

Goupil, Jason D.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1334027245

Abstract Details

2012, MFA, Kent State University, College of Communication and Information / School of Visual Communication Design.
The Millennials are a group, born from 1977-1994, that have experienced great technological advancements during their formative years as children. Cell phones, computers, the internet, social networks, video games, ipods, digital tablets, and GPS have impacted their lives in big ways. This unique aspect to their youth has resulted in distinctive generational characteristics; they are tech-savvy multitaskers, independent, and worldly. They also have formed expectations in what they wish for with their education, both in tools offered and delivery methods used by educators. This presents many challenges for educators to stay abreast of technological advancements as they are implemented in classrooms, as seen by the adoption of tablet technology across the nation. Tablets are quickly replacing traditional textbooks as school systems see new opportunities to save both districts and students a high financial savings. As tablets replace textbooks, educators are often left without proper training to understand the full capabilities of this new tool. A generational, societal, and cultural gap between educators and students will continue to widen if this area is not researched. Tablet based educational materials must meet a criteria that educators feel comfortable implementing, and students feel engaged by its design. This thesis sets out to understand the Millenial generation and develop an educational tool that harnesses aspects of their technological culture as a means to engage them as students in new ways. In addition, the format and delivery method of textbooks have remained untouched for decades. Educational materials no longer need to resemble a traditional textbook as they make the leap to a digital platform. Tablets need not remain a digital version of a book. This new technology presents vast opportunities to present the same educational materials with multiple learning styles, an interface that connects multiple course subjects in their relevancy, place it contextually in history, and place the audience as the authors themselves (similar to Wikipedia). Generation Y’s characteristics also demand the development of new concepts in regards to the presentation of educational materials. Engaging an audience that is familiar with juggling multiple devices and platforms must be considered as tablets are implemented. According to the most recent U.S. Census statistics on Generation Y, math and science scores are rising but the Scores from the 2009 Programme for International Student Assessment rates 15-year-old students in the U.S. performing about average in reading and science, and below average in math. Out of 34 countries, the U.S. ranked 14th in reading, 17th in science and 25th in math. Research is necessary to reveal the cognitive development and media usage habits of students in regular educational settings to then apply this information towards the production of a solution. In addition, the instructional techniques and technologies used by teachers will provided key analysis as a means to develop a tool conducive to both audiences. Tablet based educational materials must meet a criteria that educators feel comfortable implementing it, and students feel engaged by its design. The implications of this research will provide a foundation for continued development of educational tools in the classroom. As stated previously, this work will provide key analysis of Generation Y, the ‘gap’ between the generations, and how to effectively reach these new consumers in modes they are familiar with and comfortable to use. The prototyped solution is a result from the research of its users, both with students and faculty.
Ken Visocky-O'Grady (Advisor)
David Dalton, Dr. (Committee Chair)
Jerry Kalback (Committee Chair)
74 p.
Design
Generations; Millenials; Education; Design; Research; Technology; Tablets

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Goupil, J. D. (2012). SYNC IN PROGRESS: Connecting the Technology Gap Between Gen Y Students and Their Professors [Master's thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1334027245

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Goupil, Jason. SYNC IN PROGRESS: Connecting the Technology Gap Between Gen Y Students and Their Professors. 2012. Kent State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1334027245.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Goupil, Jason. "SYNC IN PROGRESS: Connecting the Technology Gap Between Gen Y Students and Their Professors." Master's thesis, Kent State University, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1334027245

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1334027245
766
© 2012, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.