For the record I fall in that category of Generation Y, that generation viewed by the media as being lazy, self-indulged and unable to hold down a steady job. So many media reports make my blood boil especially when they are not based on actual research, so in the readings for week 6 (I download as many as I can the week before) I came across a title very relevant to ‘my’ generation (I have placed the link below). I quickly scrolled to the findings and then conclusions, and low and behold my experiences and beliefs within the paper (no I was not part of the study but totally relate to the findings). I always find it interesting that because I am “young” (I’m quickly coming out of that with three children) colleagues who are older expect that I can fix their computers, use a program effectively or know how to use information because I “was taught to use IT at school”. Simply not the case. I pick things up quickly because that’s what I was taught to do, pick it up quick or you just don’t know it ever! Computer lessons in primary school were maybe an hour a week and from that I remember learning to touch type (can’t do that properly, but am quick enough), using programs such as word and setting up my first email account. In high school we had one semester with the computer teacher (I believe I was in year 7), a few lessons here and there on how to use excel and briefly how to research in other classes. I am self-taught, trying to get through university I used books because I didn’t understand how to use google scholar or any other database. I spent many lessons teaching students how to search for, sort and utilise information so that my students didn’t struggle through not knowing how to learn whilst using IT.It was not until completing my graduate certificate that I finally learnt how to search more effectively, and this masters degree has solidified this learning even further.
Combes, B. (2008). Digital natives or digital refugees? Why we have failed Gen Y. Proceedings of 38th Annual Conference of the International Association of School Librarianship incorporating the 13th International Forum on Research in School Librarianship: Preparing pupils and students for the future, school libraries in the picture, 1-12. Albano Terme, Padova, Italy. Retrieved from https://iasl-online.org/publications/index.html