Malaysian Alpha Alchemy: Crafting Education for Tomorrow’s Leaders
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.119.2.17401Keywords:
Generation Alpha, Traditional education approach, Challenges, Idealistic education approach, Proposed frameworkAbstract
Generation Alpha, the term for children born in 2010 and beyond, are digital natives with exceptional skills in digital technologies. Their upbringing in interactive environments has shaped their preferences, with early and extensive use of smartphones, tablets, and smart devices. These tools enable quick and efficient access to information, leading them towards online learning and digital approaches. In contrast, with their 'talk-and-chalk' approach, traditional education methods are unengaging and outdated to these tech-savvy students. The conventional approach does not align well with Generation Alpha's interactive and digital experiences. This misalignment underscores the urgent and immediate need to rethink and redesign educational strategies to better suit their unique learning styles and preferences. This study proposes an idealistic education approach explicitly tailored for Generation Alpha, acknowledging their unique learning styles and preferences. Recognising them as the most tech-savvy and digitally empowered generation in history, developing educational methods that leverage their strengths and cater to their needs is beneficial and essential. With its integration of digital tools and interactive learning environments, this approach can significantly enhance the educational experience, making it more engaging and practical and offering hope for the future of education.
References
Gupta, A., Kumar, J., Tewary, T., and Virk, N. K. (2022). Influence of cartoon characters on Generation Alpha in purchase decisions. Young Consumers, 23(2), 282-303
Reis, T.A. (2018). Study on the Alpha generation and the reflections of its behaviour in the organizational environment. Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Science, 6 (1), 09-19
Sramova, B., and Pavelk, J. (2023). Generation Alpha media consumption during COVID-19 and teachers’ standpoint. Media and Communication, 11(4), 227-238.
Zheng X, Zhang D, Lau ENS, Xu Z, Zhang Z, Mo PKH, Yang X, Mak ECW and Wong SYS (2022). Primary school students’ online learning during Coronavirus Disease 2019: Factors associated with satisfaction, perceived effectiveness, and preference. Front. Psychol. 13:784826. doi 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.78482
The Malaysian Reserve. (2022, October 31). The education system needs urgent policy reform.
Shamis E., Nikonov E. (2017). Teoriya pokolenii. Neobyknovennyi Iks (Generation theory. Unusual X). Izdatelskii dom Universiteta “Sinergiya.”
Cole, J., & Durham, D. (Eds.). (2007). Generations and globalization: Youth, age, and family in the new world economy, (3). Indiana University Press.
Howe, N., & Strauss, W. (1991). Generations: The History of America’s Future, 1584 to 2069. New York: William Morrow & Company
Cox, L.-V. (2016). Understanding Millennial, Generation X, and Baby Boomer Preferred Leadership Characteristics: Informing Today’s Leaders and Followers. Brandman University, ProQuest Dissertations
Fidan, A. (2022). The effect of attitudes by generations X, Y, Z, alpha, beta, gamma and delta on children. In Being a Child in a Global World (pp. 17-33). Emerald Publishing Limited.
Hernandez-de-Menendez, M., Escobar Díaz, C. A., & Morales-Menendez, R. (2020). Educational experiences with Generation Z. International Journal on Interactive Design and Manufacturing (IJIDeM), 14(3), 847-
Teng, L. S. (2020). Bracing for the Multi-Generational Workforce. Management Revue, 31(3), 324-345.
Arifah, M. N., Munir, M. A., & Nudin, B. (2021). Educational Design for Alpha Generation in the Industrial Age 4.0. Proceedings of the 2nd Southeast Asian Academic Forum on Sustainable Development (SEA-AFSID 2018), 168, 137–145. https://doi.org/10.2991/aebmr.k.210305.026
Hutajulu, J. M., Agustiani, H., & Setiawan, A. S. (2024). Special Characteristics of Alpha Generation Children Behavior in Dentistry: A Literature Review. European Journal of Dentistry.
Yusuf, F. A. (2023). Futuristic curriculum concept for generation alpha in Indonesia: A case study. Educational Administration: Theory and Practice, 29(2), 130-149.
Persson, K. (2019). Confident millennials: Differences in consumer confidence across five generations. Economics and Sociology, 12(4), 257-277.
Raihani, U., Wati, S. N., Islamy, U. A., Rahmi, A., Rifasya, N. H., Seftiani, R., & Natalia, N. (2023). Identification of Factors Affecting Student Self-Confidence in the Alpha (Digital) Generation. BICC Proceedings, 1, 104-
Ziatdinov, R. & Cilliers, J. (2021). Generation Alpha: Understanding the Next Cohort of University Students, European Journal of Contemporary Education 10(3): 783-789.
English Plus (2023) Revolutionizing Education: The Evolution of Modern Teaching Techniques. Education Technology. Retrieved Jul 11, 2024. https://englishpluspodcast.com/revolutionizing-education-theevolution-of-modern-teaching-techniques/
Kumari, R., Tiwari, R., Akhtar, R., & Gupta, S. K. (2023). Traditional teaching method Vs Modern teaching method. GPH-International Journal of Educational Research, 6(11), 80-85.
Governors State University (2024). Teaching Across Generations. Teaching Pedagogical Resources. Retrieved Jul 11, 2024. https://www.govst.edu/ctl/teachingpedagogicalresources/teaching_across_generations
Fesol, S. F. A., Salam, S., Osman, M., Bakar, N., & Salim, F. (2016). Learning Style Approaches for Gen Y: An Assessment Conducted in a Malaysian Technical University. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities, 24(4).
Hunt, J. E., & Tucciarone, J. (2011). The challenges and opportunities of teaching “Generation Y”. Journal of Graduate Medical Education, 3(4), 458-461.
Pikhart, M., and Klímová, B. (2020). ELearning 4.0 as a Sustainability Strategy for Generation Z Language Learners: Applied Linguistics of Second Language Acquisition in Younger Adults. Societies 10(2):38
Azman, M. N. (2021). Predicting preferred learning styles on teaching approaches among Gen Z visual learner. Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education (TURCOMAT), 12(9), 2969-2978.
Hughes, J. (2020). Getting to Know Generation Alpha: 10 Takeaways for Higher Ed. Keystone Education Group. Retrieved Jul 11, 2024. https://www.keystoneacademic.com/news/getting-to-know-generationalpha-10-takeaways-for-higher-ed. 117
Kamaruddin, Nurliana, Cheong Yin Mei, Wah Yun Low, Hashim, Azirah. (2023). Online Education in Malaysia: Institutional Change to Stimulate Digital Literacy. Digitalization and Development. 1st edition.
Mohamad, Maslawati, Palani, Kirubayini, Shanmuga N., Lisshaline, Yogesvary Sandhakumarin, Indira, Rakhimova, Jamila, Ermetova (2023) Educational Challenges in the 21st Century: A Literature Review. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development. 12(2):1307-1314.
Zainal Abidin, M.S., Mokhtar, M. and Arsat, M. (2023a), “Education for sustainable development from the lenses of Malaysian school leaders: a preliminary study”, Asian Education and Development Studies, 12(2), pp. 150-165.
Zainal Abidin, M.S., Mokhtar, M. and Arsat, M. (2023b), “School leaders’ challenges in education for sustainable development: a scoping review”, International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 12(1): 401-420.
Marouli, Christina (2022). Critical pedagogy for environmental and social change: what helps? What obstructs? Theory and practice in dialogue, Transformative Research and Higher Education, 45-72.
Shuang Zhou, Kenny S.L. Cheah. (2023), The Challenges of Malaysian private universities in reaching sustainable education towards responsible consumption, Cleaner and Responsible Consumption, Vol 10,
Asmawi, Adelina and Mohd Jaladin, Rafidah Aga (2018). Higher education system in Malaysia: exploring strategic trends and challenges in policy implementation for New Malaysia, Malaysian Online Journal Of Educational Management, 6(4): 56-77.
Tang, Samantha, Werner-Seidler, Aliza, Torok, Michelle, Mackinnon, Andrew J. and Christensen, Helen (2021) The relationship between screen time and mental health in young people: a systematic review of longitudinal studies, Clinical Psychology Review, 86, 1020221.
Akour M, Alenezi M. (2022). Higher Education Future in the Era of Digital Transformation. Education Sciences 12, 11: 784. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12110784.
Firdaus (2023) Pemanfaatan Pembelajaran Open-Ended Berbantuan Game Edukasi Untuk Meningkatkan Berpikir Kreatif Peserta Didik Pada Materi Bilangan Cacah. Educator: Jurnal Inovasi Tenaga Pendidik Dan Kependidikan, 2(4), 435-444. https://doi.org/10.51878/educator.v2i4.1928
Singh, S. V., & Hiran, K. K. (2022). The impact of AI on teaching and learning in higher education technology. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, 22(13).
Coolsaet, D. (2024). The Impact of Technological Advancements on Higher Education: A Study of Generation Alpha’s Educational Prospects. International Journal Software Engineering and Computer Science, 4 (1), 58-67.
Hairuddin, H. (2013). Pendidikan Karakter Berbasis Sunnah Nabi. Jurnal Al-Ulum 13(1) , 167-190.
Danilova, L. N. (2023). Educational needs of the Generation Alpha. Bulletin of the Saratov University. New series. Series Acmeology of education. Developmental psychology, pp. Vol. 12, issue 1. P. 58-67.
Khanif, A. (2023). Islamic Religious Education Learning Strategy for Alpha Generation. ASCARYA Journal; Islamic Science, Culture and Social Studies Vol. 3 No. 1 2023, 36-45.
Nagy, Á. & Kölcsey, A. (2017). Generation Alpha: Marketing or Science. Acta Educationis Generalis, 7(1)
Donnie A, Kenny S.L. Cheah. (2022). Technical and vocational education and training. In Education in Malaysia 1st Edition (pp. 183-194). Routledge.
Smith, J., & Brown, A. (2020). The Impact of Digital Distractions on Learning: A Review of Current Research. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 45(3), 321-335. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022057420908765.
Ziatdinov, R. & Cilliers, J. (2021). Generation Alpha: Understanding the Next Cohort of University Students. European Journal of Contemporary Education, 10(3): 783-789.
Silva, A. M., & da Silva, F. A. (2022). The Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Education: Generation Z and Alpha. Brazilian Journal of Development, 8(1), 5645–5651. https://doi.org/10.34117/bjdv8n1-381.
Noor, M. H. (Thursday Mac, 2024). Skor TP dimansuh diganti kepada peratus gred. Putrajaya, Wilayah Perseketuan Putrajaya, Malaysia.
Hale, M. (2022). Generation Alpha. EDULEAD, pp 240-245.
Mary McMahon, Mark Watson. (2022). Career development learning in childhood: a critical analysis. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling Issue 3, 474-480.
Yin, S. S. Y., & Mohamad, M. (2023) Unleashing the Potential: A Systematic Review of Teachers’ Perspectives on Enhancing Teaching Practices through Digital Tools. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 13(8).
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Musliha Musman, Salwa Muda, Nur Nariza Mod Arifin, Asma’ Rashidah Idris, Anita Che Hassan

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
