it's their time, not ours.
I am a Gen Z adult. I was born in 1998 and I'm not embarrassed to say it. I even thought I was a Millennial up until recently. There's been a recent cultural shift that turned its aim from Millennials to Gen Z. The same insults and exaggerated perceptions that plagued today's 30-year-olds have now been let onto teens and those in their early 20s. But why? Why is it so easy for us to do this to those finding their footing, who are just now beginning to enter their world of cognitive reasoning?
Media is ingraining itself into the world around us. No matter how much you attempt to avoid it and how deeply irritated you are by its pervasiveness, it's there. As the world changes around us, we have to learn to adapt. Staking a permanent residence in what we believe is normal stagnates us and leads us to unnecessary intergenerational cultural wars.
The “boomer” vs “zoomer” discourse is so tiring. Tell an older millennial that they’re Gen Z and they’ll hiss and argue, “no — the cut-off is actually 1994, not 1995” This doesn't matter at all. We are alienating an entire generation simply because they're the latest one.
This has to be an ego thing; something about the cathartic release of our collective cynicism onto an unexpecting group makes us feel tall. I don't know. I think I am capable of adapting because I’m not prideful. I’m okay with being led because I'm eager to see what's next but don't know how to get there myself. This is why I’m a teacher. Molding and shaping the next generation is what I'm trying to do and I'm going to get there by learning how my students want to learn. Teachers have to ask themselves, “what’s important to my students? how can I incorporate their lives into my lessons, their culture, their language?” This is something new to us but for them, it is the culture. This is their life and it may seem foreign to us but it's all they've known and It’ll only get more foreign to the older observer, fighting it is futile.
The most effective use of media technology is the use of Zoom. It has become accepted so easily by all ages because they can't deny its effectiveness. Although I wouldn't equate it to social media in its relevance in the classroom, the discussions being held within these digital spaces will inevitably find themselves in the classroom. The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement will cement itself into the history books as the Civil Rights movement did. The BLM movement found its footing and widespread attention on Twitter and Tik Tok, both sites are dominated by the youth.
A teacher must incorporate media, the tools of our digital age, into the classroom. For the past two years, with every passing month, and new emerging variants, we’ve told ourselves “this is the new normal”. It's time we apply this sentiment to our classrooms because as time goes by, you don't get to choose what's normal, the kids do.
Hi! I’m also considered Gen Z as well. I was born in 1997. Zoom has become are main way to communicate and it’s easy for everyone to use. Due to this day and age of technology, I agree that, “ A teacher must incorporate media, the tools of our digital age, into the classroom” technology in class is the new normal
ReplyDeleteHello Jasmine,
ReplyDeleteAs someone also born in 1998, I think your post captured my sentiments of being a little bit Millennial and a lot of Gen Z. Within the discourse of older generations casting disdain on the younger generations, I have notice is significant amount of verbal aggression towards youth. The funny element about is that when they were young, the generation ahead of them cast the same sort of disdain. One thing I have learned from working in a school is teaching is 40% academic and 60% how to navigate life. This school year alone, my students ask me more questions about becoming an adult and how to deal with situations rather than how to write an effective paragraph. With that said, educators have such a wonderful opportunity to shape, mold, mentor youth that other fields of work. I think the title of your blog, captures this sentiment beautifully.
Furthermore, in regards to media technology in the classroom, I believe it is here to stay. The more students are familiar with it, the more effective it can be. For example, Pear Deck does an excellent job of making PowerPoints interactive, which can hopefully increase students’ ability to engage with the lesson. Additionally another effective use of technology in the classroom are mediums that turn learning into a game such as Kahoot. In my opinion, ineffective uses of technology are over reliance on videos and technologies that take longer to figure out how to use it instead of completing the activity. Lastly, in spirit of your opening sentence, since media technology is ingrained in us and the generations to follow, it is best to teach to use technology effectively and appropriately that mindlessly hoping for it to go away.
Best,
Michelle Bowen
Hi Jasmine,
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your blog! I think you highlighted issues on the generational differences and how they could be so tedious and problematic. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what kind of age or "generation" you are apart of, the only thing that matters is what kind of person you are. I do think that in this day and age with social media, the differences so to speak are highlighted a lot more, and causes more of a divide among the people around. All of a sudden, thanksgiving has become a battleground of how people think and why they think that way, rather than a traditional family oriented dinner. I also loved the last message you left us with, on how the kids define the new normal. I think this is important because rather than scold the newer generations for how they think, we should embrace and adapt to the kind of environment they grew up in.
- Gary Thomas
Hi Jasmine-
ReplyDeleteAs a current 30-year-old who understands your frustration of the condescension that newer generations receive, I don't think it's cynicism; I think it's insecurity. Some people are terrified by their own mortality, and the most blaring reminder of this is young people. Because we live in a comparative and competitive world, it has become a natural defense mechanism to seek validation that you could be better than another group of people. It's why I'm so amused when people scapegoat social media as the start of divisive and disrespectful behavior- it only made an existing problem easier to see. Of course, the Silent Generation was doing the same thing to the Baby Boomers (think of the demonization of the "hippie"). It's all a rinse and repeat situation. Our generations are probably doomed to follow the same pattern as midlife and existential crises crescendo at the same time. All we can try and do is remember how we feel/ felt (in my case) as the up and coming generations.
I agree that media technology has become invaluable, but I wish it seemed a little more effective. Zoom is fantastic and enables us to continue through challenging circumstances, but I notice a drop in grades and enrollment with its use. Most students are two years behind where they should be academically, and I'm not sure if it's mostly the pandemic or a sudden complete switch to tech-based learning. Regardless, it is very overwhelming. As up-and-coming teachers, we are responsible for taking this new learning mode to its next level, but I think it needs to go hand in hand with more traditional learning. As far as the new normal goes, I believe adults and children alike are along for the ride until the world decides what exactly that's going to be. Loved your entry, love your passion.
- Jen