The wave of technology is rapidly taking over every facet of society. Everywhere one looks; they find technology is commonplace in society. This wave started with the aging of the millennial generation, making smartphones and tablets easy and an everyday thing to millennials. By contrast, older generations lack in both ability and general interest in this technological wave. “The young man pities his elders, fearing the day he, too, will join their ranks. The elderly man pities the younger generation, well knowing the trials and tribulations that lie ahead of them” (Fisher, 1). Oftentimes individuals with large age gaps between them tend to have a hard time finding common ground. This is the effect of a generational gap. It is inevitable that each generation oftentimes possesses different values and opinions that set them apart. Generation gaps have become more significant in our society especially as technology is becoming more dominant. As technology continues to thrive and advance, it acts as a barrier distinctly pointing out the generations who are falling behind. Studies have been conducted that were relevant to the topic, it was found that each generation has its own unique relationship with the technology of the present day, and these relationships also affect the classroom as well as the workplace.

            Technology has allowed our society to advance and is now moving at a faster than ever pace. As new technology develops, we as a society change along with it. In older generations, writing letters with a pen and paper was the main form of communication. Today, computers and cellphones have allowed us to communicate digitally within seconds and without limitations. However, just because new technology has allowed us to accomplish things with more ease than the previous method, it doesn’t mean that everyone is able to adapt to it. Since our society has become significantly more tech-savvy, it has caused our lives to move at a faster pace.  Jordan Koschei, who works with Fortune 500 companies improving their employee technological skills, states that, “The digital world has formed it so things are constantly changing, and what is popular one day may be gone the next (Koschei 1).” Because younger generations were born into a technology driven generation, it is easier for them to adapt to the new technology, thus becoming the primary users. The current landscape is so fast paced, that by the time older generations acclimate themselves to a new technology, an even newer technology replaces it. However, just because younger generations have an easier time using technology doesn’t mean that older generations are clueless when it comes time for them to use it. “Neither culture is necessarily better, but they are undeniably different” (Koschei, 1).  Ultimately, the use of technology, or lack thereof, does not make any users superior; rather it just makes them stand apart from each other in the manner in which they function.

            The biggest difference in technology relative to older and younger generations happens to be communication skills. All generations use technology for digital communication but it is significantly different what form of communication we use in comparison to one another.  The Barna Group did a research on the technological divide in our society amongst four different age groups. “Even though we have all been able to benefit from technology, the generational divide brought by digital tools is significant” (New Research, 1). One section of the study was focused on social technology which consisted of Email, text messaging, IM, instant messaging, personal website, comments on another blog, and personal blogs, which were placed in either a mainstream, emerging, or limited category. The four different age groups were categorized as Mosaics (18-24), Busters (25-43), Boomers (44-62), and Elders (63+). To no surprise, all four generations only had one form of mainstream social technology in common, email (New Research, 1). Email is one of the oldest forms of digital communication, however compared to all other forms, it is considered the only professional way of digital communication, which is why it is still as popular as it was when it first came out.

             As the list of social technology goes further down, so does the number of groups who consider that form of communication mainstream (New Technology, 1). Busters and Boomers had a small mixture of results in which form of communication they considered to be mainstream, emerging, and limited. However, the youngest generation and the oldest generation were almost exactly opposite of each other. The mosaics considered every form of communication on the list as mainstream except for a personal blog, which was considered emerging for them. On the opposite end, elders considered every form of communication as limited except for their mainstream email. From viewing the results of this study, the Barna Group suggests “each successive generation is adopting and using technology at a significantly greater pace than their predecessors” (New Research, 1). This study alone is evidence that there is a large technological generation gap. Specifically between the youngest and oldest generations just based on their forms of communication. As we grew up with technology at our fingertips, the oldest generations grew up with paper and writing letters.

Along with our forms of communication that causes each generation to differ from the next, what types of technology we use plays a huge role in what causes these gaps. According to Yolanda Williams, previous societal developments used to be slow, which allowed a few different generations to live similar to each other. “However, due to the technological advances in the 20th and 21st centuries, lives of individuals one generation apart are drastically different” (Williams, 1). The younger generations have been accustomed to all of the technological changes because we were born into it. While older generations struggle to keep up (Williams, 1).  With advanced technology comes mobility. Technology connects people worldwide, and within seconds (Williams, 1). Smartphones have slowly taken over roles of computers, because they can do the same things, just in the convenience of the palm of your hand. Not only does communication differ, but also the way in which the various age groups interact with the technology.

           Bob O’Donnell created a study among different age groups to see what type of technology was dominant. The study used four different kinds of technology including a PC, tablet, smartphone, and TV. The age groups included 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 75-74, and 75+. Similar to the previous study with forms of communication, this study showed relatively the same results. The middle-aged individuals were a mix of how much time they spent on each type of technology (O’Donnell, 1). The youngest generations spent their most time on smartphones as the oldest generations spent the most time on PC’s. As the ages increased the less they used smartphones and the more they used PC’s. From the first generation to the last, the percentage of smartphone decreased from 43% all the way down to 3%. The percentage of PC use increased from the youngest generation to the oldest generation starting with 25% and increasing to 54%. The results of this study are not very surprising as we expect the younger generation to more on their smartphones that have become so popular. O’Donnell suggests that the use of devices has to do with what you are most comfortable with (O’Donnell, 1). Older generations have grown up with PC’s and younger generations have grown up with smartphones. Also, the type of activities that these generations participate in is more suited with the type of technology that they use (O’Donnell, 1). Because of the various relationships between the age groups and technology, some conflict occurs in places, more specifically the classroom.

          Smartphones and college students are one example of what younger generations partake in that require smartphones to take up more of their time. “These devices must be contemplated as an inevitable learning tool available to higher education” (Yu, 1). Since smartphones have allowed the world to become more mobile, college students find themselves now more than ever addicted to their smartphones. Although they are not a substitute for a PC, smartphones can do about anything a PC can in your hands which makes it all the more convenient for college students. “It is very common to see college students check email or other forms of media with their constant web connection feature that we have nowadays” (Yu,1). Although they can be a huge asset to learning, “..smartphones are not widely accepted nor utilized in colleges and universities” (Yu, 1). This could simply be the reason of a technological generation gap between students and their professors. “It is understood that educators are working with students that have far greater experience and comfort levels with mobile and wireless technologies” (Yu, 1). Although smartphone technology can no longer be ignored as a learning tool, it is very far off from becoming a form of learning in higher education. Yu states that it may be impossible for professors in older generations to catch up to the younger generation with technology experience (Yu, 1). It is simply out of their comfort zone and “research shows that educators have more negative attitudes towards mobile phones and using them for educational purposes” (Yu, 1). This could potentially create issues in the classroom as views on educational tools differ in students and professors raising challenges for professors to get across effectively to students.

Generation gaps not only create challenges in the classrooms between students and professors, but also create problems in the workforce.  

         Rob Salkowitz writes about these generation challenges in the workforce in his book Generation Blend. Salkowitz states that “Solving the generational puzzle is crucial to gaining necessary levels of cooperation from workers of all ages” (Salkowitz, 1). In his book he describes three different generations in today’s workforce. Baby Boomers (born 1946-1962), Generation X (born 1963-1980), and Millennials (born 1981-2000). Along with these generations come difference of opinions and outlooks on life. Since these generations are across many decades it has become an obstacle for those hiring as it is easy for personal values to clash inadvertently. This comes into play in that Baby Boomers are not as familiar with technology compared to Generation X and Millennials. “However, this doesn’t mean that all young people are tech wizards or that all older people are out of the loop” (Salkowitz, 1). Salkowitz says that addressing generational differences rather than just age difference in the work place is much more effective when getting what organizations want out of their workers. Although it can be a little extra work, relating yourself to each generation is necessary to move forward in the workplace. Giving jobs to generations that are familiar with them or helping/guiding generations that are out of their comfort zones will allow the organization to thrive and accomplish more.

        Technological generation gaps are becoming more distinct in our society as technology continues to change and advance. Each generation has its own sweet spot in terms of technology use, what forms it uses, and to what frequency they use them. These gaps affect not only families, but are relevant in the workplace, classrooms, and higher education. Although technology will never stop advancing, it is forcing us to evolve with it. This is becoming a problem as changes are happening so rapidly that these gaps aren’t just happening over people born centuries apart. In a technology driven world, these gaps will start to effect kids just a few years apart, as no one will have identical experiences. Without attempting to keep up with modern life, the generation will continue to fall further and further behind as society advances; changes will never stop occurring nor will it slow down for anyone.