Generation i
Another in a series of Microsoft essays explores how technology will shape the education and culture of "Generation i," the first generation to grow up with the Internet.
Just as the printed book fundamentally changed the nature of learning and culture several hundred years ago, the Internet will have a profound impact on the education and societal attitudes of an entire generation of children growing up today.
The Internet Generation -- those born since 1994 -- represent less than 10 percent of the United States' population. But in just a few years, as this generation moves out of diapers and into classrooms, they will represent nearly three out of every ten Americans. Eventually, they will become tomorrow's knowledge workers and leaders of industry and government -- the first generation for whom the Internet is as ubiquitous as the television was for baby boomers.
Technology alone will not improve educational or other opportunities for the Internet Generation. But it can enrich their learning experiences, provide powerful new teaching tools and create connected learning communities where teachers, parents, students, public libraries and organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs can work together to create a better educational future and more choices for our youth.
Already, the Internet has begun to change the way kids learn, study and gather information. In the next few years, we'll see even more changes that extend the world of learning beyond the brick-and-mortar classrooms of today. Changes such as:
| • | Paperless homework |
| • | School-to-Home Internet portals that allow parents, teachers and students to exchange information, communicate and collaborate online |
| • | eBooks that enable students to carry dozens or even hundreds of books on a single, small device |
| • | Increasingly sophisticated online research methods that open new worlds of information for students |
| • | Individualized curriculum and opportunities to learn anytime, anyplace. |
We'll also see a generation for whom the Internet is an everyday means of communicating, making new friends, shopping and being entertained.
But with these opportunities come new responsibilities -- for the technology industry, for educators and for parents.
We need to do more to ensure that teachers know how to use modern technology to help students learn. Although 90 percent of public schools have Internet access, today, only 20 percent of teachers say they feel prepared to use the technology available. Technology training as part of teacher certification and recertification is one step in this direction.
This year, Microsoft will invest $24 million in software and cash to support teacher training efforts around the country. Last month we launched the Microsoft Classroom Teacher Network -- a free, online professional development community for teachers.
Educators and the high-tech industry also need to work together to create high quality, meaningful digital content. Toward this end, Microsoft has developed products like the Encarta Encyclopedia and Encarta Africana.
While schools are key to providing technology access to the Internet Generation, the industry and others can do more through libraries, community centers and other nonprofit organizations to ensure that every child who wants or needs to use a computer and the Internet is connected.
We also can help parents and teachers by providing tools such as software filters and online resources to help them make informed decisions about their children’s Internet experience.
Generation i will be the first generation to grow up with the Internet as a constant presence in their lives. How effectively we enable that experience will influence the future of our society for many generations to come.
