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ABSTRACT

This study examined primary school teachers’ readiness for the learning environments of generation Alpha, who are greatly influenced by technological advancements and globalization. Although teachers need to be prepared for this new learning ecosystem, existing research offers limited insight into elementary school teachers’ preparedness to address the technologically and pedagogically evolving learning needs of generation Alpha in a globalizing context. Using a qualitative case study approach, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 34 teachers in Turkey. The findings revealed four key dimensions of readiness for generation Alpha learning environments: (1) student development guidance, (2) teacher characteristics, (3) learning environment development, and (4) technology in education. Project-experienced teachers showed advanced competence in promoting 21^st century skills, adopting alternative assessment practices, and using learner-centered classroom management. They integrated diverse instructional technologies beyond content delivery and used diverse teaching strategies. Conversely, teachers without project experience showed limited technological integration and relied more on traditional classroom practices. Furthermore, digital citizenship awareness (online ethics and safety) was underdeveloped across all participants, highlighting an overlooked area in teacher preparedness for generation Alpha learners. This study contributes to the literature by identifying the key components of teacher readiness for generation Alpha and highlighting how project-based learning experience enhances pedagogical and technological competencies. The findings have implications for teacher training and educational policy reforms focused on equipping educators for 21^st century learning environments.

Keywords: generation Alpha, education technology, learning environment, primary school teacher