TECHNOLOGY BEHAVIORS OF GENERATION Z LEARNERS

Students entering college today are part of Generation Z born in the late 90’s through 2016. Known for their short attention spans and heightened ability to multi-task, they outnumber millennials and are the first true digital natives born during the age of smart phone. As Generation Z continues to dominate college campuses, with their technology governed backgrounds and different communications, learning, and social preferences, it is important to better understand this generation whose needs and expectations are shaping the present and future of higher education. A study was conducted at three institutions located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. The institutional types represented in the study include a mid-sized majority serving or otherwise referred to as a traditionally white institution (TWI) located in a small coastal city on the Atlantic Ocean, a small Historically Black University (HBCU) located in a rural area, and a large community college located in a county that is a mixture of rural and suburban and which sits on the border of Maryland and Pennsylvania. According to the findings, participants consider themselves familiar with most common technologies, enjoy learning about technology and want to further develop their knowledge, and want to see digital learning technologies integrated in their higher education courses.