Digital Learners in Higher Education: A Research Project Update

Abstract

This article provides an update of the Digital Learners in Higher Education Research project. In Phase 1 of the project, concluded that there is no empirically-sound basis for most of the claims that have been made about the net generation. It also found there are no meaningful differences between net generation and non-net generation students at this institution in terms of their use of technology, nor in their behavioural characteristics and learning preferences at one Canadian postsecondary institution. Phase 2 of the study will explore the “whys” of these findings, with the intention of informing teaching and learning practices.