The Importance and the Role of Technology in the Education of Generation Z

Abstract

The paper focuses on the importance and the role of digital technologies in the education of Generation Z, which is growing up in an environment heavily influenced by technological advances. The aim of this paper is to identify the most commonly used digital devices in higher education and to explore the attitudes of Generation Z university students towards electronic study materials. Particular emphasis is placed on the perceived role of modern devices - computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones - in the learning process of this generation referred to as the 'digital generation'. The research was carried out at the Faculty of Mass Media Communication at the University of Ss Cyril and Methodius in Trnava. The sample consisted of 863 respondents - full-time students of bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The research set was non-probabilistic, purposive, and the criterion for inclusion in the research was belonging to Generation Z and active study at the faculty. The research focused on three main areas: (1) Devices used to study materials in electronic form. (2) Perceptions of the role of technology in education. (3) Preference regarding the study of electronic materials. The research was guided by an attempt to answer the following research questions: What digital devices do Generation Z university students use most often in their studies? How do Generation Z students perceive the role of modern digital devices (computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones) in the learning process? What are the preferences of university students regarding the use of electronic learning materials? Are there differences in preferences across years of undergraduate study? The results show that that digital technologies are an integral part of Generation Z education. The most prominent position is occupied by the laptop as the primary tool for working with electronic learning materials. Smartphones also play an important role, and particularly for quick access to more concise study materials such as worked-out questions. Conversely, the use of desktop computers and tablets remains rather marginal, reflecting the continuing trend towards a preference for smaller screens on mobile devices such as smartphones.