Generation Z Students’ Views on Technology in Education: What They Want What They Get

Abstract

The aim of this study is determining the expectations of high school students about the use of technology in education and their views on whether these expectations were met or not. The study was designed as a case study. In the study, embedded single-case design, which is one of the designs of case study, was used. The participants of the study consisted of 100 students in the 9th-10th-11th and 12th grades of a high school in Mersin in the spring semester of the 2018-2019 academic year. Research data were obtained by using interview method. Content analysis was used in the analysis of the data obtained. According to the findings obtained from the research, it is seen that ; hardware and software inadequacy, lack of knowledge and negative attitudes of teachers about the integration of technology into education, and restrictions imposed on students are considered by generation Z high school students as factors that negatively affect the use of technology in education. Students evaluated the use of technology in education by considering its positive and negative effects. Considering the positive effects, the use of technology increases students' interest in the lesson, enables them to learn easily, increases their technology use skills, and provides easier and faster access to more information.  All of the students recommend the use of technology in all lessons. They stated that for this, there should be content prepared for each lesson. The students compared their teachers with themselves on the use of technology and characterized them as older and less knowledgeable. In this case, they think that teachers should be trained on the use of technology.