Lesson 3: Understanding Technology Learners

            Our teachers today generally use the traditional education program applicable to learners of the past wherein they use the traditional way of teaching and they fail to realize that the new generation of the 21^st millennium is not the kind of learner that they were, but are information technology or digital learners.

Here is a comparison of the traditional classroom ( Classroom A) and the classroom nowadays. ( Classroom B )

          

                                        

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            In traditional classrooms, mostly the students are just listeners and don’t have a say in education, wherein they will just focus on the facts that the teachers says, and sometimes works independently in some seat works and just memorize facts without having an experience of it but with the digital learners in the 21^st century classroom, they are active and globally aware and are not afraid to ask questions  and for them mistakes is equals to learning, the students also love to collaborate with their classmates to share knowledge and ideas with each other wherein they could create a rich environment.

The 21st century education is going to be empowered by digital learners pretty soon as the beginning is coming.

•      53% of students use a smart phone and are connected and prefer the internet.

•   78% of the students believe and prefer learning through technology because they believe that they learn more with a gadget by their side like for an example, an Ipad with internet connection.

            Even in classes, their concentration is questionable as they are uneasy to simply sit and listen. They become alive again through video presentations, group activities and computer classes and as a future educator, we should learn how to digitally empower diverse learners to connect, communicate and collaborate by creating a rich environment indulging technology in the classroom to help them evolve. The main aim is to make the students learn in a more impactful manner by integrating words with visuals and other means of technology to help them understand more. 21st century education does not involve only learning the traditional way, but also to integrate technology to help make the world a smaller place, to make the interaction go beyond the classroom and classmate to virtual trips and multi-region and multi-nation interactivity to commence projects and work

21^ST Century Learning is done with :

•      Collaboration- Learning how to work with others to achieve a common purpose. Students bring gadgets with them as well as presenting the knowledge the knowledge and abilities they have to come up with a product/solution.

•      Communication- Students use their mobile devices to discuss content they are learning with others, set goals for themselves, and share new concepts. The lines of communication now become multi-directional and extend beyond the classroom.

•      Critical Thinking- helps to construct a firm foundation for personalized learning. In many classrooms, teachers don’t provide the time necessary for critical thinking in order to develop original solutions to problems. Many of the problems that are provided to students also have only one possible right or wrong answer and don’t encourage true critical thinking.

When students are given the opportunity to utilize all of the resources available within a classroom to solve problems, they can be challenged to personally connect to their learning and construct new understanding.

•      Creativity- Students make use of their imagination as well as technologies to create new things. To think beyond things.