E ducating Generation Z
They have never known a world without smartphones,
wifi and social media. They split their focus between
laptop, tablet and phone and watch much less TV than
their parents do. They’re (on average) harder-working
and more anxious than the Millennials who preceded
them, and are more concerned about and involved
in social issues too. Their social circles are wide and
varied and they are at home on the internet in a way
that those of us who were teenagers in the previous
century will never fully understand.
Educating Generation Z presents a complex set of
opportunities and challenges. Students having instant
access to all the world’s knowledge is science fiction
made fact, yet this knowledge can easily be drowned
out by misinformation. Being able to be in touch with
friends easily and instantly wherever they are and
whatever they’re doing can be fun and reassuring, but
when friendships go wrong, when extreme positions
gain ground and when communication misfires, then
the social media world can become a toxic place.
Generation Z takes in information quickly, and
loses interest just as quickly. The big problem for
educators is that mastery of almost anything – a
musical instrument, a literary text, a mathematical
topic – is hard and requires time, practice, patience,
application and focus. A modern curriculum therefore
needs to find the right balance point between action
and reflection.
At the turn of the millennium only five per cent
of the world’s population used the internet.
Now that over four billion of us are regularly online
that figure has passed 50 per cent for the first time.
4
ACADEMIC REVIEW
Generation Z’s parents are concerned with safety as
never before, and can use technology to be involved in
the detail of their children’s lives. Managing the flow
of information and educating all involved towards best
practice requires both effort and skill, particularly since
this area is fast-moving like no other.
The generation now leaving Sevenoaks are the first native
internet generation – Generation Z. They like YouTube,
Instagram and Snapchat – they’re less keen on Office,
email and Facebook. They will make voice calls if they
have to, but will roll their eyes if ever left a voicemail.
Their world is constantly connected, constantly updated.
They have instant access to more information than any
previous generation in the history of the world.
Banning technology is not the answer. Educating
students on technology’s proper place in our lives is
vital, but difficult. Teachers and parents must lead by
example and show that they themselves are setting
a good example – that they are not slaves to their
smartphones but know when to put gadgets aside and
engage with the real world.
Tim Jones
SEVENOAKS SCHOOL 2017-2018
5