Educating the Net Generation
Implications for learning and teaching in Australian Universities

Despite the considerable recent attention devoted to the 'Net Generation', few Australian studies have documented the characteristics of this group and little evidence has been provided to support claims made about the Net Generation and its implications for higher education in Australia. The 'Net Generation' or 'Digital Natives' are born roughly between 1980 and 1994 and have been characterised by their familiarity with and reliance on information and communication technologies. A number of commentators have argued that the digital culture in which the Net Generation has grown up has influenced their preferences and skills in a number of key areas related to education. Some commentators have also questioned the extent to which Universities and their staff are equipped to meet the needs of this incoming cohort of students.

This project has:

• investigated how commencing first year students and their teachers use traditional and emerging technology-based tools in their everyday lives and to support student learning
• drawn on the expertise of teachers and the results of this investigation to develop and implement pedagogically sound, technology-based tools to enhance student learning in local learning environments

The final stage of the project will involve:

• conducting a series of capacity-building workshops with teaching staff and institutional staff developers in Universities across Australia
• disseminating a handbook and a toolkit for teachers, staff developers and policy makers that will provide guidance on how to integrate technology-based tools into local learning environments

Implementation
Outcomes