Jeon, Heekyung: Beloit List

Even after generational change, college education is still considered important, or even more important than the past; teaching and learning have never stopped. Faculty members teach students as effectively as possible regarding what they have studied for their entire lives, and students are willing to learn. College students are not only customers who purchase lectures, but also active participants communicating with professors. This concept has never been changed, however, current faculty members sometimes realize how much everything has changed over the past few decades when looking back on the past and comparing their old college life to the present.

The most noticeable difference between generation X and Y is familiarity with the Internet and other electronic devices. Thanks to considerable improvement in technology, present students take advantage of its convenience. For example, current students bring laptops to class and write lecture notes on computer, which older faculty members never imagined. Students no longer have to sit and write an in-class essay counting 350 words to fulfill the minimum word requirement. Instead, Microsoft Word automatically counts words and changes misspelled words to correct ones for them. They show YouTube videos in their presentation, summarize online news, articles, or journals, use clickers for quizzes and tests, e-mail teachers to notify their absences ahead, read e-books, and talk about new devices released from Apple while taking a break. Some students declare “I cannot live without my cell phone or computer.”

Meanwhile, older faculties are more conservative, learn new technology slowly, and keep their own traditions and old ideas. For instance, some do not have a cell phone or only use it as a means of calling people whereas students cannot keep their hands off their cell phones. They also Facebook, game, text message, listen to music, and watch movies on them. Moreover, some teachers do not allow students to use their laptops in class. They also do not know Internet slang words and spend a lot of time figuring out how to chat with their friends on Skype. They take a long time to find information they want on the Internet, typing slowly and confusingly while looking at the computer screen.

However, faculty try their best to catch up with technologies and adjust themselves to this rapidly-changing society. They try a variety of new teaching methods and choose the best way to be an effective communicator. Instead of writing on the chalkboard, most of them prefer using a big computer screen and showing students PowerPoint slides. In addition, a few clicks of a presentation remote control enable them to teach students more effectively. Also, with the advent of online education, the old thought of emphasizing face-to-face communication between professors and students has changed. Many schools have gradually increased online and hybrid courses, and all course instructions are given via e-mail or Blackboard.

                        

 In spite of faculty member’s efforts, the technology still creates a big generation gap between generation X and Y. However, all generations go through an inevitable generation gap. They should understand one another, accepting that they grew up at different times and have been taught different values. Therefore, respect and proper attitude toward each other would make the world a better place for all to live all together.