GE ELECT 3 – Living in the IT Era | 1st Sem, AY 2022-2023

College of Arts and Sciences | Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges

Unit 2. Information Technology

and Divisions in Society

EJAY F. BARCINILLA, LPT

College Instructor
 “…too many family trees are split apart or friendship

“
bonds are broken because we are stuck in the
mindset that the phrase in my day means it’s ‘the
only way.’ Instead, we have to let in my day
become a way to connect with one another. Exposing
ourselves to generational diversity can offer wonderful
insight into how the world once was, how it is today,
and where we all might be in the future.”

Lancaster, L., & Stillman, D. When Generations Collide

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Generation, Cohort Generation and
Generational Cohort Theory

Generation is defined by a common age location in

history and a collective peer personality. – Neil Howe &
William Strauss, pioneers in the field of generational studies.

It is defined as a cohort of people born within a particular

period of time.

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Generation, Cohort Generation and
Generational Cohort Theory

Generational Cohort or “cohort generation” is the classification of

individuals with shared historical experiences spanning from schooling,
employment, retirements, national and international to several other
developmental stages.

A cohort generation consists of individuals in a shared age bracket where they

share a defined history and their personality and behavior are shaped by that
history (Strauss & Howe, 1991).

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Generation, Cohort Generation and
Generational Cohort Theory

The concept of Generational Cohort Theory proposes that a

generation of individuals that share the same political, economic, and social
events during the early stages of life will develop a similar set of beliefs,
values, and behavior (Inglehart, 1997; Dires & Stokers, 2014; Pew Research
Center, 2015; Padayachee, 2017).

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Generation, Cohort Generation and
Generational Cohort Theory
The framing of a generational cohort theory is grounded on the principle that
an individual philosophy is shaped by the period in which they are born,
hence the ideas, sentiments, and values of members of the same cohort
converge and evidently their actions as well (Ryder, 1965).

The theory suggests that several generations were

distinguished based on the specific time periods into
which people were born and the time periods they grow
up in (Hemlin, Allwood, Martin & Mumford, 2014).

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Generational
Cohorts
The Different ▸ Greatest Generation (1901-1927)
▸ Silent Generation (1928-1945)
Generations ▸ Boom Generation (1946-1964)
▸ Generation X (1965-1980)
▸ Generation Y (1981-1995)
▸ Generation Z (1996-2010)
▸ Generation Alpha (2011-2025)

Generation Cohorts
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The Greatest Generation
> The Depressed Generation
> Seniors
> Great Grandfathers

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The Greatest Generation
> Grew up with many rules
and pressure to conform
> Increased prosperity over
their lifetime; however, they
remember the Depression
> “Work First”
> Children should be seen
and not heard
> Faith in institutions: > “Waste Not-Want Not”
expected lifetime career with > “Keepers of the Grail”
one employer
> Desire to live and leave a
lasting legacy
> Patriotic and loyal
> Military-influenced
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The Greatest Generation
▸ Salient characteristics: Conservative,
committed, patriotic
▸ Shaped by: The Greatest Depression, World
War
▸ Motivated by: Loyalty, sacrifice, dedication
▸ Communication style: Personal touch
▸ World view: Duty before fun, expect others to
honor their commitments and behave
responsibly, value practical knowledge and good
character

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The Silent Generation
> Traditionalists
> Maturists
> Builders
> Veterans
> Radio Babies

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The Silent Generation
> Believe in sacrifice for the
“greater good”
> Maintain traditional values
> Have respect for the
wisdom of elders
> Respectful of authority even
if it frustrates them
> Honor and integrity are
critical parts of their being
> Very conservative
> Politically active and
strongly patriotic
> Supportive and have faith in
collective action and
government
> “Giving back” is important
> Prefer crisp sex-role
definition
> Doers: “Produce more, do
more, be more”
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▸ Strong work ethic
▸ Loyalty to the employer; strong
sense of commitment
▸ Hard working and detail-oriented
▸ Dependability
▸ Personal touch approach
▸ Obedience over individualism
▸ No hurry, long patience
▸ Contributing to the collective good
is important
▸ Linear work style; clear chain of
command
Common Work Attributes
▸ Recognition and respect for their
knowledge and experience
▸ Value placed on history and
traditions
▸ Clearly defined rules/policies
▸ Hard to adapt well to changes
▸ Avoid any conflict
▸ Tend to be frustrated by what they
see as a lack of discipline, respect,
logic, and structure especially if the
workplace is more relaxed or
spontaneous
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The Silent Generation
▸ Salient characteristics: Dependable,
straightforward, tactful, loyal
▸ Shaped by: Postwar, space age
▸ Motivated by: Respect, recognition, providing
long-term value
▸ Communication style: Personal touch,
handwritten notes instead of text/email
▸ World view: Obedience over individualism, age
equals seniority, advancing through the hierarchy

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The Boom Generation
> Baby Boomers
> The Sandwich Generation
> Me Generation
> Yuppies
> Pepsi Babies
> Flower Children

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The Boom Generation
> Grew up with fewer rules > Responsible for major social > Excelling in their career is
and a more nurturing changes; champions of very important
environment causes > “Me”–focused
> Lived in generally > Women entered workforce > Desire challenge and
prosperous times, but in record numbers opportunity
experienced layoffs > Spend quality time with > “Thank God It’s Monday”
> Rebelled against the children
conformity of the > “Live to Work”
traditionalists

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▸ Belief in paying dues to get ahead
▸ Sense of duty
▸ Belief in sacrifice for success
▸ Loyalty to employer
▸ Salary contributes to satisfaction
▸ Self-satisfaction in job is
paramount, but measured in
different ways
▸ Workaholics
▸ Very competitive
Common Work Attributes
▸ Team and process-oriented,
sometimes to the detriment of
results
▸ Strive for convenience and personal
gratification
▸ Have a strong work ethic
▸ Financial success is very important
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The Boom Generation
▸ Salient characteristics: Optimistic, competitive,
workaholic, team-oriented
▸ Shaped by: Vietnam War, Cold War, various civil
rights movements, sexual revolution
▸ Motivated by: Loyalty, teamwork, duty
▸ Communication style: Whatever is most
efficient, including phone calls and face to face
▸ World view: Achievement comes after paying
one’s dues, sacrifice for success

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The Generation X
> Xers/Xennials
> Baby Busters
> Latchkey Kids
> Post-Boomers
> 13th Generation/Thirteeners
> Reactive Generation
> Nomad Generation
> Lost Generation
> MTV Generation
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The Generation X
> Often children of divorce
and non-traditional family
units.
> Tend to be pessimistic and
skeptical of authority and
institutions.
> Tend to be pragmatic and
perceptive, savvy but amoral
> Have a large amount of
independence and self-
reliance
> Friends with their children;
want to spend quantity time
> Eclectic, resourceful, and
self-reliant
> Distrustful of institutions
> More focused on money
> Highly adaptive to change
and technology
> Raised on electronic media
> Have short attention spans
> Function well alone
> “Work to Live”
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▸ Techno-literate
▸ Entrepreneurial spirit
▸ Mobility and flexibility at work
▸ Value diversity
▸ Focus on personal and professional
growth over employer’s interest
▸ Perceived lack of loyalty
▸ Want balance of work and home life
▸ Need immediate feedback
▸ Balance end result with desire for
quick resolution
Common Work Attributes
▸ Expect their career to keep moving
forward or they will leave
▸ Change from job security to career
security
▸ Pragmatist-realist
▸ Results-oriented
▸ Individualism and self-reliance
▸ Challenge the system
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The Generation X
▸ Salient characteristics: Flexible, informal,
skeptical, independent
▸ Shaped by: AIDS epidemic, increase divorce rate
▸ Motivated by: Diversity, work-life balance, their
personal-professional interests rather than the
interests of others
▸ Communication style: Whatever is most
efficient, including phone calls and face to face
▸ World view: Favoring diversity, quick to move on,
resistant to change at work if it affects their
personal lives

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The Generation Y
> Millennials
> Digital Natives
> Echo Boomers
> Nexters
> Net Gen
> Nintendo Generation
> 24/7 Kids
> “Me-Me-Me” Generation

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The Generation Y
> Value civic duty and social
consciousness
> Gravitate toward group
activities
> Believe that “It’s cool to be
smart”
> Respect for diversity
> Attended day care; with > Cyber-savvy: new and
very involved “helicopter” expanded technologies are
parents given
> Prosperity has increased > Want to build parallel
over their lifetime careers
> Globally-concerned > Expert in multitasking
> Achievement-oriented > “Live, then Work”
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▸ High technology skills
▸ Expectation of diversity
▸ Expectation of rapid results
▸ Flexible schedules
▸ Want balance of work and home life
▸ Need for independence in decision-
making
▸ Desire for challenge and growth
▸ Expect immediate feedback
▸ Respond best to more networked,
less hierarchical organizations
▸ Optimistic
▸ Tenacious
▸ Highly confident
▸ Informal
▸ Want to make a big difference
▸ Expect to work with positive people
and workplace that can fulfill their
dreams
▸ Not only balance with work and life,
but balance with work, life and
community involvement and self-
development

Common Work Attributes

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The Generation Y
▸ Salient characteristics: Highly competitive, civic
and open-minded, achievement-oriented
▸ Shaped by: 9/11 bombings, the internet
▸ Motivated by: Responsibility, the quality and
competence of one person, unique work experiences
▸ Communication Style: Instant messaging, texts
and email
▸ World view: Seeking challenge, growth and
development, fun work life and work-life balance, likely
to leave an organization if they do not like change

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The Generation Z
> Centennials
> Post-Millennials
> iGeneration
> Technoholics
> Woke Generation
> Self-Entitled Generation
> “Only Me” Generation

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The Generation Z
> Extremely techno-savvy
> Highly politically-engaged
> Diversity-focused
> Focus on change using
technology
> “Me First” attitude and
highly net-centric
> Open to new ideas
> Strong sense of entitlement
> Respectful of character
development
> Believe that because of
technology, they can work
flexibly anytime, anywhere
and that they should be
evaluated on work product-
not how
> Dislike boring tasks; want
always to be challenged
> Because of being a product
of the “drop down and click
menu”, they need to be given
a list of options
> Highly sociable
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▸ Avid consumers; impulsive buyers
▸ Highly tolerant and competitive
▸ Digitally-adept and hyped; true
digital natives
▸ Ambitious, but entirely focused
▸ Look to the workplace for direction
and to help them achieve their
goals
▸ Diversity-oriented
▸ Strong sense of entitlement; self-
absorbed
▸ Think mature generation is “cool”
Common Work Attributes
▸ Bold and risk-takers
▸ Ill-tempered, very conscious
▸ Anxious and can get easily
depressed
▸ Unafraid to voice out their
sentiments especially if the
workplace affects their well-being
▸ Always seek validation; accused of
being narcissistic or vain
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The Generation Z
▸ Salient characteristics: Global, entrepreneurial,
progressive, less focused
▸ Shaped by: The Great Recession, access to
technology at a young age
▸ Motivated by: Diversity, personalization,
individuality, creativity
▸ Communication Style: Instant messaging, texts,
video calls, social media
▸ World view: Self-identity as digital device addicts,
value independence and individuality, innovative
coworkers, new technologies

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The Generation Alpha
> Onliners
> Generation Surf
> Techno Addicts
> Meme Generation
> Generation Hope

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The Generation Alpha
> They are or will grow up to
be the best educated
generation ever and the most
technologically-immersed
> Particularly impatient since
they are used to technology
fulfilling their desires from an
early age
> Spend some more or all of
their childhood in living
arrangements without both of
their biological parents
> Exposed to local and global
sociopolitical conflicts and
crises
> At a young age, they start to
think about politics: they
engage with the culture and
whether they are a wellspring
of new social movements
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The Generation Alpha
▸ Salient characteristics: Hyperactive,
technologically-immersed, impatient
▸ Shaped by: Emerging and sophisticated
technological systems/innovations
▸ Motivated by: Diversity, creativity, collaboration,
change
▸ Communication Style: Instant messaging,
social media
▸ World view: Social equity and justice, digitization
of “everything”

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Bridging the Generation
Gap and Managing
Intergenerational Conflict
 Generation Gap
> Refers to the chasm that separates the beliefs and behaviors
belonging to members of two or more generations, more specifically
in terms of thoughts, actions, and tastes exhibited by and among
those of different age groups (Hayes, 2021).

> Is defined as the different thoughts,

worldviews, and actions held by
different generational cohorts.

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Views on Generation Gap
> A generation gap is a difference of opinions between one generation
and another regarding beliefs, politics, or values. In today’s usage,
“generation gap” often refers to a perceived gap between the younger
generations (younger people) and old generations (parents and
grandparents) or co-workers/colleagues.

> A generation gap also refers to the years

separating one generation from the generation
that precedes or follows it, especially when
regarded as representing the difference in
customs and outlook and the lack of
understanding between them.
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Views on Generation Gap
> The term is used to describe wide differences in cultural norms
between members of a younger generation and their elders.

> When there are multiple groups of individuals and each group
brings their own style, values, and attitudes, this could create
tension and other issues.

> Generation gaps at work means more work is

needed to cultivate an environment that respects
each generation’s perspective and way of life.

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Bridging the Generation Gap

Mutual respect Seek to understand

Attempt to
Communication accommodate rather
than change

Accept the difference

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Understanding Digital
Divide and Digital Equity
Digital Natives
▸ Net generation (N-gen) / Digital generation (D-gen).
▸ Represent the first generation to grow up with new
technology and have been characterized by their familiarity
with and confidence in, with respect to Information and
Communication Technologies (ICTs).
▸ Have spent most of their lives surrounded with digital
communication technology.
▸ The “native speakers” of the digital language of computers,
video games, and internet.

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Digital Natives
▸ They are used to receiving information really fast.
▸ They like to parallel process and multitask.
▸ They prefer their graphics before their text rather than the
opposite.
▸ They prefer random access.
▸ They function best when networked.
▸ They thrive on instant gratification and frequent rewards.
▸ They prefer games to “serious” work.

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Digital Natives
Technophile
▸ Is any person who has love of or enthusiasm for
technology and innovation, especially advanced
technologies or high-tech and sophisticated
equipment/devices.

Digital Nomads
▸ Are people who choose to embrace a location-
independent, technology-enabled lifestyle that allows them
to travel and work remotely, anywhere in the internet-
connected world.
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Digital Immigrants
▸ Those who were not born into the digital world but have, at
some later points in their lives, become fascinated by and
adopted many or most aspects of the new media and
technology.
▸ As digital immigrants learn – like all immigrants, some
better than others – to adapt to their environment, they
always retain, to some degree, their "accent," that is, their
foot in the past.
▸ Typically have very little appreciation for new skills.

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Digital Immigrants
▸ Some think that no one can learn successfully with the
new technologies and that learning “can’t” or “shouldn’t” be
fun.
▸ They have little patience for lectures, step-by-step logic,
and “tell-test” instruction.
▸ Many of them assume that individuals are the same as
they have always been, and that the same methods or
practices that worked for them when they were young will
work for generation now.

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Digital Immigrants
Digital Immigrants can be categorized as:
1. Avoiders: this group of people is old digital immigrants
who cannot relate to modern technology and young digital
natives who philosophically oppose the use of the internet
and other modern online technologies.
2. Minimalists: they are unwillingly forced to use technology
but prefer hard copies and do not trust electronic resources.
They may be digital immigrants that are reluctant adopters
or digital native minimalists.

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Digital Immigrants
3. Tourists: are the people who feel like visitors in the digital
world. They pay attention to the ‘local’ or ‘native’ digital
culture, learn its language, observe its rituals, and
comprehend its complexities.
4. Enthusiastic or Eager Adopter: they participate in
online discussions and even produce their own online
content; they find technology interesting.
5. Innovators: they work with technology to improve it.

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Digital Immigrants
Technophobe
▸ Is any person opposed to technological advancement and
innovation and tries to avoid using any kind of technology,
esp. information and communication technology.

Luddites
▸ Refer to technologically conservative persons who are not
comfortable with the overwhelming boom of electronic or
digital devices.

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Digital Natives
▪ Like constant connectivity
▪ Prefer to bring their own ubiquitous
technologies
▪ Prefer immediacy and have short
attention spans
▪ Use texting and instant message
short-hand
▪ Going to the internet first for
information
▪ Prefer to socialize online and weak
in face-to-face communication
Digital Natives vs. Digital Immigrants
Digital Immigrants
▪ Prefer to talk on the phone or in
person
▪ Prefer formal communication
channels, such as phone, detailed
emails, or face-to-face
communication
▪ Do not understand much the slang
words or phrases on the internet
▪ Printing things out as opposed to
working on screen
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Digital Divide vis-à-vis Digital Equity

The so-called “digital ▪ Where does it occur and why?

▪ What are its causes?
divide” raises a number
▪ How is it to be measured?
of questions. ▪ What are the relevant parameters?
▪ What is its extent, that is, how wide is
digital divide?
▪ Where is it most critical?
▪ What are its effects likely to be in the
short term? In the longer term?
▪ What needs to be done to alleviate it?

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Digital Divide
► According to Stanford University, the term refers
to “the growing gap between the underprivileged
members of society (i.e. the poor, rural, elderly,
etc.) who do not have access to computers or
the internet; and the wealthy, middle class, and
you people living in urban and suburban areas
who have access.”

► According to the Digital Divide Australia, if

individuals have limited or no access to digital
technologies or the internet, their ability to fully
contribute to and benefit from society is reduced.
Digital divide is the gap between
people who have sufficient knowledge of
and access to technology and those who
do not. This gap can perpetuate and even
worsen socioeconomic and other
disparities for already underserved
groups.

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Digital Divide

Limited or no
knowledge of “Information
skills required poor”
to fruitfully individuals with
participate in low income jobs
Digital Divide Cycle society

Limited or no access to
digital technologies or
the internet

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Digital Divide
The issue of digital divide cannot be ignored. As new information and
communication technologies are introduced, new forms of social inequities
emerge as a result of the unequal distribution, use, and impact of these new
innovations.

Education
► Limited opportunities for students in the classroom to access more information online,
complete homework, develop digital literacy skills, etc.
Economic
► Rural businesses experience difficulty connecting to the global market, and are unable
to compete with urban and global counterparts.

Employment
► High unemployment rates of rural job seekers due to difficulty accessing employment
opportunities posted online, lack of digital literacy skills, education, etc.

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Digital Divide
Some key factors:

1 ► Geographical restrictions

2 ► Income levels

3 ► Racial/ethnic disparities

4 ► Digital literacy

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Digital Equity
► Is a condition in which all individuals and
communities have the information and
communication technology capacity needed for
full participation in society, democracy, and
economy.

► Means ensuring that every individual, regardless

of socioeconomic status, language, race,
geography, physical restrictions, cultural
background, gender, or other attribute Digital equity is necessary for civic
and cultural participation, employment,
historically associated with inequities, has lifelong learning, and access to essential
equitable access to advanced technologies, services.
information and communication resources, and
the learning experiences they provide.

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Digital Equity

► Digital equity also means that all individuals have opportunities to

develop the means and capacity to be full participants in the digital age,
including being designers and producers (not only users) of current and
future technologies and information and communication resources.

► Equitable access to technology resources (computers, software,

connectivity, etc.) is one aspect of digital equity concerns. Other
dimensions include effective use of technology for teaching-learning and
work, access to content that is of high quality and culturally relevant, and
opportunities to create new content.

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Digital Equity
Some barriers to digital equity and social justice:

1 ► Access to up-to-date hardware, software, and connectivity

2 ► Concerns around quality education

3 ► Culturally relevant and responsive models and content

4 ► Human ICT capacity and skills

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Digital Equity

It is assumed that Individuals are given There are no

everyone will benefit different supports to supports or
from the same make it possible for accommodations; the
supports. them to have equal systemic barrier has
access. been removed.
Digital Equity
Digital Inclusion
► Refers to the activities necessary to ensure that
all individuals and communities, including the
most disadvantaged, have access to and use of
information and communication technologies
(ICTs).

► Digital inclusion is about ensuring the benefits of

the internet and digital technologies are available
to everyone. Digitally-excluded people can lack
skills, confidence and motivation, along with
having limited or no access to equipment and
connectivity.
Digital inclusion must evolve as
technology advances. Digital inclusion
requires intentional strategies and
investments to reduce and eliminate
historical, institutional and structural
barriers to access and use technology.

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Digital Inclusion

1 ► Affordable, robust internet services

2 ► Internet-enabled devices that meet the needs of the user

3 ► Access to digital literacy training

4 ► Quality technical and administrative support

Applications and online content designed to enable and

5 ►x
encourage self-sufficiency, participation and collaboration
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