Crossing The Chasm (Gadgets, Games and Gizmos)

After reading Gadgets, Games and Gizmos for learning, I feel that Kapp’s perspective on the gaming generation as well as the workforce is possible. I do agree that my generation is heavily impacting the way that the workforce functions. These functions are changes that have been made to the work environment in order to "cater" to the younger generations needs (Gen Y, gamers). For example, I purchased something from the Apple store for the very first time last week. After deciding on my purchase, I looked at the sales person (young kid in his 20’s) and said, “Where is the register located?” The sales associate looked at me like I was from another planet, raised his I-Phone directly in front of my face and said, “Right here.” It took me less than a second to understand the concept of making your purchase through a Smartphone. Why? Because I have been exposed to them and I know how they work. However, if my mom were in my shoes at that particular moment, she would’ve been thrown off guard asking a million questions about using her credit card through the use of the I-Phone. She might even ask if her transaction will be safe. Why would she react like this? Probably because she’s from a much older generation (baby-boomers) who haven’t had much exposure to today’s technology. Some baby-boomers may already understand the concept of touch-screen devices, and many others may not. In my eyes, technology seems to be the “great divide” or “knowledge gap” between the two generations.

The reading mentions that the most difficult part of entering into the workforce for my generation (Gen Y, gamers) will be the transfer of knowledge from an organization. Basically saying that the learning format of training a new employee will be done differently. Baby-boomers are use to structured standard operating procedures where the information is separate from the interface (Gadgets and Gizmos pg 40). Generations Y (Gamers) according to the reading is unstructured were information is the interface, obtaining information in a different format (computers, internet, phones, Skype, etc). I agree and disagree with how both generations learn. The transferring of knowledge can go either way because everyone learns in a different format. However, to completely generalize that the Y generation only learns in that particular format to me is ridiculous.

I do believe that Generation Y will change the way that the workforce is structured. I think that the information that organizations want to teach us will be transferred to us in the same fashion, but with more implementation of technology as a learning tool.