An inquiry into the use of video media by secondary students in the Digital Generation using peer coaching in an aikido class

The Digital Generation is the largest generation to date. It is also the first generation to grow up in a world of electronic technology. Many outside this generation have been quick to speculate that because this generation uses technology, this generation prefers the use of technology and is very adept at using any technology. The lack of physical activity has been attributed to technology-based entertainment. Physical education programs are also becoming increasingly marginalized with the emphasis on academic achievement. It is additionally thought that this generation's use of technology has contributed to their obesity. No literature was found that explored how the Digital Generation makes use of video technology as an instructional strategy. This qualitative research study was designed to discover how the Digital Generation makes use of video technology in an aikido class. Three questions guided this study: (a) How do student peer coaches in the Digital Generation use video when coaching peer proteges in aikido? (b) How do peer coaches and proteges in the Digital Generation interact with video in aikido? and (c) How do proteges in the Digital Generation respond to the use of video when coached by peers? The research involved five pairs of coach and protege teams. Data were collected using field observations and focus groups. The results revealed a use of video technology different from cultural myths found in contemporary culture. The sample expressed social uses when using video technology but found the use of video technology distracting to the learning of aikido. This sample of the Digital Generation demonstrated the use of video technology differently than was expected. Research results demonstrated that the sample expressed characteristics consistent with generation theory. Notably the sample did not express a preference for the use of video technology. This is contrary to many cultural myths which suggest that the Digital Generation uses technology in ways previous generations do not.