La generación net se tambalea: percepción del dominio de las TIC de estudiantes de magisterio

Abstract

Many authors have stated that undergraduate students born after 1982 show different characteristics when compared to previous generations. It is often assumed that these students, called the "Net Generation", are more predisposed to master the technologies and integrate them into all aspects of their lives. However, it is relevant to ask if that is an actual observable phenomenon. Are students born after the 80s really more kin of ICT tools than those born in previous generations? The objective of this present research is to investigate the existence of significant differences in the perceptions of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) related skills of student teachers born before and after the 80s. In order to achieve such an objective, we performed a correlational study, holding the participants’ age and level of perceived control of different ICT tools as variables. The research data was collected through expert validated questionnaires. Data analysis shows no significant relationship between most variables analyzed. Nevertheless, it indicates perception of skillful use of video editing tools and social networks by younger participants. It is argued that the contemporary education, too often mostly based in verbal written forms of learning and teaching, needs reorientation in focus so as to motivate the younger generation.