Millennials: The Digital Generation - or is it?

Glenn Cockerline CockerlineG@BrandonU.ca

Mike Nantais NantaisM@BrandonU.ca

Brandon  University,  Faculty  of  Educa6on  

Pilot study results

3  =  exemplar                    2  =  accomplished  1  =  developing              0  =  beginning  

2.44 - operating a computer 2.23 - word processing 2.14 - communicating with e-mail 2.13 - managing files 1.96 - creating digital images 1.96 - finding information 1.70 - analyzing data 1.64 - evaluation information 1.51 - creating multimedia

1.41 - creating graphics 1.27 - creating video 1.21 - collecting data electronically 0.81 - concept mapping 0.77 - creating web pages 0.67 - modeling with ICT 0.60 - collaborating online (blogs/wikis) Results from pilot study conducted in 2008/09

Demographics Characteristics of Digital Natives vs. Our Teacher Candidates

Age Range: 20 – 47 years Mean: 24.9 years

Gender 70% Female

Marital Status 60% Single

Academic Background 50 - B.A. 14 - B.Sc. 8 - B.G.S. 8 - B.P.E.S. 5 - B.Mus. (3 Concurrent) 2 - Other

Demographics: Our Teacher Candidates

2008   2009  

•  96%  own  a  computer   •  100%  own  a  computer  

•  94%  own  a  cell  phone   •  97%  own  a  cell  phone  

•  76%  own  an  ‘iPod’   •  83%  own  an  ‘iPod’  

•  88%  have  downloaded  music   •  83%  have  downloaded  music  

•  48%  regularly  download  music   •  67%  regularly  download  music  

•  77%  use  text  messaging   •  86%  use  text  messaging  

•      76%  use  social  networking  sites   •  86%  use  social  networking  sites  

Characteristics of Digital Natives vs. Our Teacher Candidates

The Study: Competencies

Based on a 5-point-scale ranging from Expert (4) to No Experience (0)

Greatest Competence (>3.0) Mean Score

Using eMail 3.59 Word Processing 1 3.22 Navigating the Web 3.13 Finding Information 3.13 Using Instant Messaging 3.11 Using Digital Camera 3.02

The Study: Competencies

Based on a 5-point-scale ranging from Expert (4) to No Experience (0)

Minimal/No Competence (<0.99) Mean Score

Music Editing 0.91 Developing a Web Page 0.76 Blogging 0.70 Publishing Video Files 0.67 SmartBoard (IWB) 0.65 Publishing an Audio file 0.64 Idea Processors 0.52 Developing a Wiki 0.52 Creating Animation 0.51 Creating PodCasts 0.34

The Study: Issues of Age

The Study: Issues of Gender Greatest  Competencies  

Males   Females  3.44   Using  eMail   3.65   Using  eMail  3.35   Naviga6ng  the  Web   3.25   Word  Processing  1  3.32   Using  Instance  Messaging   3.11   Finding  Informa6on  3.15   Word  Processing  1   3.05   Using  Digital  Camera  3.15   Finding  Informa6on   3.03   Naviga6ng  the  Web  3.04   Social  Networking  Sites   3.02   Using  Instance  Messaging  3.04   Downloading  Pictures  

Least  Competencies  

Males   Females  0.92   Crea6ng  Anima6on   0.87   Edi6ng  Audio  Files  0.92   Idea  Processors   0.80   Edi6ng  Video  Files  0.81   Crea6ng  PodCasts   0.68   Music  Edi6ng  

0.57   Developing  a  Web  Page  0.56   Blogging  0.48   SmartBoard  0.41   Publishing  Video  Files  0.39   Publishing  an  Audio  file  0.35   Idea  Processors  0.33   Crea6ng  Anima6on  0.30   Developing  a  Wiki  0.15   Crea6ng  PodCasts  

The Study: Issues of Gender

Implications?

Thank you!

Glenn Cockerline CockerlineG@BrandonU.ca

Mike Nantais NantaisM@BrandonU.ca

Brandon  University,  Faculty  of  Educa6on  

Article on Pilot Study: Are all our Teacher Candidates Equally Digital Natives?

Available at: http://www.mern.ca/reports/Journal-V3.pdf