Today we have a gap between baby boomers and Gen-Xers regarding knowledge in computer technology. Ten years ago computer technology was not a huge part of nursing education, or in elementary, and high school education. The baby boomers generation was taught by the old pedagogy - all eyes on the teacher. Majority of baby boomer nurses are computer illiterate or have scant amount of knowledge of the computer. Today the method of pedagogy is self learning. Prensky (2008), states, "Every teacher and administrator is, currently, somewhere on a continuum between the old and the new paradigns." The Gen-Xers generation of adaptation to computer technology is evident. It is evident in their toys, books, and the younger adolescents have easy access to the web twenty-four hours per day via cell phone. The tool that is most instrumental in the method of self learning is the computer. Prensky (2008) sates, "If we can agree that the role of technology in our classrooms is to support the "new" pedagogy of kids teaching themselves with the teacher's guidance, then we can all move much more quickly down the road of reaching that goal." A knowledge deficit can hinder a person's health care. Majority of health information is input into a computer. Computer technology decreases medical errors. Computer technology is able to aide in early diagnoses, and allow doctor easy access to a person's health file.
All health educators and nurses need to recognize that technology is a vital to a person's health care. Baby boomers need to equip themselves with the knowledge of computer technology in order to close the generational gap between Gen-Xers.
Reference
Prensky, M. (Nov.-Dec. 2008). Educational Technology: The Role of Technology and the Classroom.
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