The older generation often feels
there is a generation gap between them and the younger generation. This is
apparent in simple things like the manner of dressing, socializing, more
intimate relationships like friendship and marrying, etc. Still, some old
things are difficult to overcome, as there are still the caste system in India,
pre-arranged marriages in China, female circumcision in Africa, and theocratic
or religion-rule societies in the Middle East. Even in education, traditional
schooling has hardly changed even with the clear evidence of a digital world.
Reflect on how some teachers confine their teaching to the board talk-test
method. In the field of education, a huge generation gap also exist and it will
continue to widen unless some changes are adopted at the proper time. In
peasant third world countries where schools don’t have technology facilities,
it is understandable that the transition, to digital education may take time.
But given the rapid emergence of digital technology at times referred to as
information and communication technology (ICT), there is the need to prepare
for bridging the digital gap in society. First, we need to understand the
potentials of ICT.
Given the
speed and power of ICT for changes, growth, innovation, it becomes critical
that teachers understand the gap that may be perceived between them and the new
generation of learners. Much of the old technology such as tube radio, platter
records, cassette tapes, celluloid movies, antenna television, landlines phone,
have vanished or are quickly vanishing today. Even in communication, sending a
written letter has become tedious with the advent of emailing and web-camera
face-to-face communication. As sophisticated technology advances at a dizzying
pace, the complacency of educators to stick to traditional education systems
and approaches become futile, if not retrogressive.
As living
organisms we are made to adapt to what is happening to our surroudings for as
to survive in this fast-changing world. The discovery of new technologies were
a threat to some people because all they see is its bad effect to the people
without exerting effort to know what goodness it can bring to humanity. Older
teachers were not really in to technology but it makes me happy knowing that
their teachers who are willing to accept the challenge of becoming a more
technological teachers, I am very happy for those who participated the BPS
Seminar-Workshop Last November 2014.
As of
today’s generation learners are totally engaged in computer because that’s what
they are born into, the generation of computers. That’s why there is a need for
the teachers and for the future teachers to really understand the learners in
their own perspective in order to have a harmonious teacher-students
relationship. Also, as a teacher one must exert effort to cope up with the
digital era even if it is already out of their comfort zone because that is the
only way to prevent the generation gap between the older and younger
generation. The gap that ca be a source of conflict but if address finely, this
gap will exist no more.
Nowadays, we
cannot avoid the fact that today’s learners are really quite different than the
learners of the past generation, because today’s learners are more vulgar and
much more advance. That’s why teachers must take time to improve themselves
when it comes to dealing with the digital learners. Teachers must attend
seminars and convention related to technology because there are still teachers
who are left behind when it comes to using technology. So, attending seminars
and taking time to learn is a must to avoid the generation gap between the
older and the younger generation.
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