"Generación faster": redefining education for a new era

There was a time when sending a simple text message required patience and dexterity. Then came ringtones, Bluetooth connections, and the thrill of watching an image load line by line on your computer. Today, the landscape has transformed entirely: videos on social media play at double speed, podcasts are consumed at 1.5x, and even TV series are binged in rapid succession. It seems there's never enough time to absorb the vast amount of content available.

Individuals who engage with the world in this rapid, fragmented, and continuous manner are often referred to as the Generation Faster. This isn't a trend but rather an almost instinctive adaptation to the pace dictated by the digital environment. Traditional learning, with its structured pace and detailed explanations, faces challenges in engaging them. This raises a crucial question: how do we educate those who no longer perceive knowledge as a lesson but as an immediate and, preferably, entertaining experience?

These topics were explored in the third episode of Deep Talks, the original debate series by Planeta Formación y Universidades, titled Generation Faster: ¿Educación al doble de velocidad? Several experts analyzed this emerging student profile, their habits, rhythms, and how teaching methodologies are being reimagined to meet their needs.

What is Generation Faster

Generation Faster isn't defined by a specific age group but by how individuals interact with digital content. Regardless of age, these are people who have adopted the habit of consuming information and entertainment at accelerated speeds—be it watching series, listening to podcasts, or playing sped-up voice notes. They aim to optimize their time and absorb as much information as possible in the shortest span.

This behavior isn't a fleeting trend; it's an adaptation to an environment where information is abundant, and time feels scarce.

Differences with other digital generations

While previous generations, like Millennials, also grew up in digital environments, Generation Faster is distinguished by its focus on efficiency and speed. Millennials often value depth and emotional connection in content, whereas Generation Faster prioritizes quickness and volume—a preference that translates into favoring short, dynamic, and easily digestible content.

Moreover, Generation Faster tends to multitask, such as watching a series while responding to messages or listening to music while working.

Causes of the Generation Faster phenomenon

Several factors contribute to the rise of this generation. The fear of missing out (FOMO) drives individuals to consume more content in less time to avoid missing anything. The overabundance of information and the pressure to stay constantly updated also fuel this need to keep up with everything.

Implications for education

Traditional teaching methods, centered around lectures and extensive readings, have long struggled to capture students' attention. Over time, adjustments have been made, but with Generation Faster, even more significant changes are necessary. Rethinking teaching strategies to align with their consumption habits and learning methods is essential, albeit challenging.

Challenges Generation Faster presents to the educational system

One of the primary challenges is maintaining the sustained interest of students accustomed to constant, rapid-fire stimuli. Surrounded by notifications, short videos, and sounds, they consume content at an astonishing speed. Asking them to concentrate through an entire class without stimuli is akin to asking them to run a marathon without training. The good news? Solutions exist.

Redefining education for Generation faster

If the world is accelerating, education must keep pace. Today's students aren't less capable of learning; they learn differently. To connect with them, we must begin by transforming our teaching methods—adjusting the pace, format, and channels.

According to the latest International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS), today's students exhibit new ways of paying attention and processing information, profoundly influenced by the digital environment they inhabit. It's not a matter of capacity but of context.

Implementation of microlearning and dynamic content

For these adaptations to be effective, it's not enough to change content formats; we must rethink the delivery of education. Modern educational methodologies are becoming more agile, flexible, and capable of adapting to diverse rhythms, levels, and learning styles. Not all students require the same approaches, nor do they learn identically. Therefore, strategies like project-based learning, flipped classrooms, or station-based work allow for experimentation, mistakes, and progress at varying paces without leaving anyone behind.

In this context, microlearning—short, clear, and highly focused content that can be learned in five to ten minutes—is gaining traction. These knowledge capsules help maintain attention and align with the fragmented pace many students experience.

For instance, a class can be divided into smaller blocks with practical activities, dynamic exercises, quick surveys, or videos under three minutes. Platforms like Kahoot, Genially, or Edpuzzle enable the creation of interactive activities that blend learning with play, embracing gamification.

Promoting critical thinking and reflection

However, moving quickly doesn't equate to superficial content. One significant risk of accelerated content consumption is the diminished ability to think calmly, ask questions, and delve deeper. Beyond adjusting the pace, it's crucial to teach students to pause and reflect.

As Rachel Pardeiro, a psychologist specializing in Generation Z and a participant in the Deep Talks panel, noted:

“Recent studies have reported that Generation Z's attention span is only 8 seconds, compared to Millennials' 12 seconds. However, this isn't an inability to concentrate but rather a conscious preference to ignore things that don't interest them. That's why it's essential to teach them how to filter, prioritize, and reflect, so that not everything remains superficial.”

In other words, incorporating activities that encourage reflection—such as class debates, news analysis, group projects, etc.—is key. The focus shouldn't solely be on the correct answer but on exploring different perspectives. Introducing small challenges also proves beneficial, as it helps content resonate more deeply with students.

Use of digital tools that complement learning

Technology is a valuable ally in education, but its use must be thoughtful. It's about integrating digital tools effectively so they enhance the learning process without causing distractions. Numerous platforms facilitate resource organization, task sharing, and the creation of engaging visual materials tailored to today's students' learning styles.

The OECD's "The Future of Education and Skills 2030" report emphasizes the importance of digital skills while cautioning that not everything can be taught through a screen. There's also a need for analog experiences: handwriting, reading on paper, and working without distractions. Achieving a key balance involves knowing when to utilize applications, when it's appropriate to disconnect, and, importantly, teaching students to do so independently.

Challenges and opportunities for educators and students

The emergence of Generation Faster is both an invitation and, in many cases, an imperative to transform teaching methods. Repeating the same old formulas is no longer sufficient. The pace has changed. The environment has evolved. While this may seem daunting, it also opens doors to new, more vibrant, and reality-connected teaching approaches.

Continuous adaptation to new technologies and trends

For today's educators, staying abreast of new digital tools has become an integral part of daily life. What once involved photocopies now encompasses interactive presentations, educational platforms, apps for conducting live assessments, and even artificial intelligence assistants.

However, beyond using technology for its own sake, understanding the purpose and objectives behind its use is paramount.

Some classrooms are incorporating augmented reality to explore monuments or human anatomy via tablets, while others are experimenting with virtual assistants to generate ideas or simulate interviews. The key lies in teachers maintaining a curiosity to experiment, a commitment to continuous learning, and the discernment to identify which tools best suit their students.

At Planeta Formación y Universidades, we believe education must resonate with global changes. This belief led to the creation of Nex·ia, our Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence. Our goal is to assist teachers and students in understanding how to use AI in practical, responsible ways. Nex·ia serves as a space for training, research, and connecting AI with education and the productive sector. We train individuals, develop real-life cases, promote applied research, and build bridges between academia and the business world to ensure our learnings positively impact society.

Fostering a culture of lifelong and flexible learning

Learning is a continuous journey, whether driven by passion or professional development needs. It has no age, schedule, or fixed location. Embracing lifelong learning involves incorporating self-assessment dynamics, encouraging personal projects, pursuing continuing education, and, above all, connecting learning with real-life applications.

Conclusion

One thing is clear: education cannot remain static while the world accelerates. Fortunately, academic institutions are already moving in this direction.

At Planeta Formación y Universidades, we recognize that if students change how they learn, we must transform how we teach. We've developed programs that combine advanced technologies with active methodologies, micro-content, continuous learning, and approaches linked to the professional world. It's not just about preparing for exams but about equipping individuals for a life in constant transformation.

If you're ready to take the next step in your education, we invite you to explore our academic programs and choose the one that best fits your aspirations.