To read or to surf? : that is the new generation question : a case study on two different schools on the perception of Form 2 girls and boys on the use of books and virtual information sources

Abstract

In an age where children are regarded to be born digital natives, the traditional „monograph‟ book is questioned on whether it remains a popular information source. When the information age, the advances in technology and change in trends have taken the world by storm, books seem to be considered a thing of the past. In the modern world, everything is going on a fast-lane track and therefore a touch of a button seems to be the most efficient way out. However, despite that children are born in a digital age, does not mean they are digital natives. Neither does it mean that they are information literate and capable of understanding and using virtual information sources and Web 2.0 tools. The study will focus on Form 2 girls at Sacred Heart School and Form 2 boys at St. Margaret's College Boys' Secondary. The chosen sample will be given a questionnaire and a comparison will then be done on the outcome of the qualitative data. The students from the chosen sample are in transition from childhood to puberty and thus it is a crucial age of physical and psychological changes and where peer influence is key on their perspective. Consequently, at their age, they are more likely to feel pressurized to be part of the 3rd generation hype and follow the same trends as their circle of friends. The study will then tackle on reading patterns and whether books are sought after if they are fiction and visually appealing, whereas other sources are more popular when the material is nonfiction and involves research. The comparison between the different schools (one church, one state school) and the differences in the sexes, may present varying results. Last but not least, analysis will also be focused on the fact that books can sometimes be less attractive, and can even be outdated, and this might continue to trigger their lack of popularity.