According to a recent newspaper article (see reference below), psychologist Larry Rosen of California State University-Dominguez Hills has defined a new generation of children in his upcoming book, Rewired: Understanding the iGeneration and the Way They Learn.
Rosen calls the technically savvy kids the “iGeneration,” with the “i” in this case standing for individualized. In the past media was generic and everyone watched or listened to the same limited offerings provided on television or the radio. In contrast, the youngest children have grown up with a plethora of choices. From the TV they watch to the music they download, the media they experience is all individualized to their specific, unique tastes.
The individualization doesn’t stop at media, either. What children experience and learn is also more personal.
” ‘They know almost every piece of information they want is at their disposal whenever they need it,’ [Dave] Verhaagen [a child and adolescent psychologist in Charlotte] says. ‘They’re less interested in learning facts and learning data than in knowing how to gain access to it and synthesize it and integrate it into their life.’ ”
If this statement is true, then it represents a huge challenge to those of us writing children’s nonfiction books. Not only do we need to present the facts in an entertaining way, but also make them more personal and relevant than ever before. On the other hand, the bit that children’s books do well is the synthesis of information, and we have to continue to make that a strength.
Although challenging, the extra effort will likely result in innovative and better quality books. I can’t wait to see where we go next.
What about you? What do you think about the idea of the iGeneration? How do you think it will change children’s books?
‘igeneration’ kids grow up techie
By Sharon Jayson, USA Today. Retrieved 2/27/10 from http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/kids/articles/2010/02/09/20100209i-generation-kids-technology.html
I believe there is great potential for completely redefining nonfiction literature, from conception to application. It’s exciting and scary, but printed books were frightening when they first came out too!
I would be interested to hear about the changes you envision. Do you see everything going electronic, or some yet to be imagined mix of technology and paper?