Here it is…. A Research Plan…Well a Draft of One

The Net generation of workers (20-24) as digital natives are using technology in ways that previous generations have not used that technology and require learning to be technologically enabled, non-sequential, collaborative, social and exploratory in nature (Tapscott, 1999, 7-8).

Problem Statement

The problem is that 13, 975,000 workers between the ages of 20 and 24 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2006) reject 49.5% of the training being done in U.S. workplaces through instructor-led modalities (Sparrow, 2004, 53-54). ASTD (2005, 18) estimates that, on average, $818.00 is spent on each individual per year for training creating a vast waste of resources. Arguably, this generation of employees are often considered natives to the use of technology and digital media. Thus, requiring learning methods that do not match the large percentage of training modality being offered in the workplace.

While some studies show that collaborative and social technology may result in increases in comprehension and acceptance of new materials (Sanders, McDonough, McDonough, & Burton 2005; Yazici, 2004) the effect of collaborative learning technology is still unknown. Exploring how these technologies are used in corporate training and the responsiveness of younger generation workers is critical to understanding how emerging and incoming generations will respond to new modalities in workplace instruction and the potential effectiveness organizations can expect.

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this qualitative, ethnographical, study is to explore a training environment in U.S. companies employing Net Generation employees and using collaborative learning technology. At this stage in the research, the use of internal weblogs (blogs), wikis and podcasting will be defined as collaborative learning technology and Net Generation employees are defined as persons born after 1982.

Research Questions

Central Question: What experiences do members of the Net Generation population have when using collaborative learning technology in the workplace?

Sub Question 1: What experiences do Net Generation employees have when using weblogs (blogs) in workplace learning?

Sub Question 2. What experiences do Net Generation employees have when using wikis in workplace learning?

Sub Question 3: What experiences do Net Generation employees have when using podcasts/netcasts in workplace learning?

Study Design

This research is designed as an ethnographical exploration of collaborative learning technology and Net Generation employees. The collection of data from this study will come from: observations, interviews, and focus groups. Participants will experience no deviations in typical work process and only be interrupted for the purposes of interview or focus group. All research on this project will take place outside of a controlled laboratory and in the participant companies facilities.

The research project will consist of a cross-sectional time dimension providing only a snapshot of what is happening within the field observations at the time of research. Analysis of the data will be descriptive and interpretive of this snapshot of observations, interviews, and focus groups.

References

ASTD. (2005, March). The big number. Training and Development. 59(4). 18-18. Retrieved November 7, 2006 from EBSCOHost.

Sanders, J., McDonough, R, McDonough, J. & Burton, J. (2005). Developing an effective email discussion group. Work Based Learning in Primary Care. 3(2). 143-154 Retrieved November, 7, 2006 from EBSCOHost.

Sparrow, S. (2004, Nov). Blended is better. T&D. 58(11). 52-55. Retrieved November 16, 2005 from EBSChost.

Tapscott, D. (1999, Feb). Educating the net generation. Educational Leadership. 56(5). 6-10. Retrieved September 3, 2006 from EBSCOHost.

Yazici, H. J. (2004, November/December). Student perceptions of collaborative learning in operations management classes. Journal of Education for Business. 80(2). 110-118. Retrieved November 7, 2006 from EBSCOHost.