Generation
Z’s first college graduating class has already made its mark on the world by
being the first “phigital” generation—a term coined to indicate these young
adults (born 1995-2012) don’t separate online from offline. It’s all one
experience to them.
In an article for eSchool News, writer Meris Stansbury noted how “phigital” students
are reshaping higher education. For one, this group has had access to
information via the Internet their entire lives, mostly through mobile devices.
“For higher
education, it’s never been more important to allow prospective students to
explore their potential institutions via mobile and online methods,” Stansbury
wrote.
Because of
their exposure to digital technologies, Gen Z seeks more personalization,
customization, and individual options when it comes to their studies. While
millennials typically liked to tackle class projects in groups, Gen Z students prefer
independent work in order to pursue their own goals.
As part of
that, Gen Z also expects coursework to provide some sort of real-life
connection, such as supporting social causes or honing skills directly related
to jobs after graduation.
“In higher
education, many colleges and universities have begun tailoring courses, like
journalism, to the real world by harnessing ed-tech to mirror current job
expectations,” Stansbury wrote. “They’ve also started creating entirely new
programs to address current student and job market interests.”