Neo Millennial and Web 2.0 Learners
This week we are starting to look at web 2.0, the tools and the users. In class the big item was what is needed to be a successful online student today as compared to 2000. After reflection, my own opinion is not much. People need to be good time managers, have time (online is extremely time dependent), and have a willingness to explore. The latter is where learners get “tripped” up by not having an open mind going into the instruction to try something new. I guess this could be said for the instructors also. The new lists had more tools than the 2000 checklist but the aforementioned principles are sound. One only needs a better computer and broadband and figure it out from there.
The articles were in line with what was discussed, learning styles for today’s education. The first article was from the Partnership for 21t Century Skills. This partnership is a medley of public and private organizations that give opinions and recommendations for education. My big take was how industry wanted to use NCLB to introduce and have education embrace measurement. This was the first time I have heard this argument besides on my parent’s porch discussing this same topic with my mother. I think education and teachers need to be measured just like everyone else. Although it may not be perfect it is a means of accountability.
Educating the Net Generation was an excerpt from Ch 6. This was a good analysis comparing the Baby Boomers, Gen X, and the Net Generation and how they learn online. To no surprise the Net generation was more comfortable with technologies but what was interesting is the Baby Boomers got more out of it.
The next two articles are by or assisted Chris Dede of Harvard University discussing Neomillennial learners. Chris Dede is adamant that everyone has the potential to be a neomillennial learner, not just the millennials or the net generation whatever they are called. A lot of people talk about the generation divide, boomers, gen X, and millenilals (gen y. net gen, etc.) and classify learning styles through this divide. Not Dede, NO, everyone can be a neomillenial learner one just needs to grasp and accept (enjoy?) the latest in educational technology today. Not only accept it, immerse oneself in it. He uses the work immersion a lot.
My tidbit this week was from the San Francisco Gate discussing media usage time. If that sounds like the studies I already covered, you would be right. They just regurgitated the Kaiser and Pew studies I reviewed last week. So, if you want to read the actual studies go to the studies. If you want a shorter read with a little bit of drama, this article is for you. Wait! There is something worth noting, multitasking. Dr. Jordan Grafman, Chief of the cognitive neuroscience section at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, part of the Institute of Health (he must not be able to fit his phone #s on his business card) stated no one can do two things at once it is genetically impossible. The brain can only focus on one thing at a time. People can be doing multiple things but can one focus on one at a time. Although he admitted to often try to multitask.
Dede, C. (2005). Planning for neomillennial learning styles. Educause Quarterly, 28(1), http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/eqm0511.pdf
Hartman, J., Moskal, P., & Dziuban, C. (2005). Preparing the academy of today for the learner of tomorrow. http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/pub7101f.pdf
Dieterle, E., Dede, C., & Schrier, K. (in press). “Neomillennial” learning styles propagated by wireless handheld devices. In M. Lytras & A. Naeve (Eds.), Ubiquitous and pervasive knowledge and learning management: Semantics, social networking and new media to their full potential. Hershey, PA: Idea Group, Inc. Retrieved on August 28, 2006, from http://gseacademic.harvard.edu/~hdul/Dieterle-Dede-Schrier-NLS-2006.pdf#
Learning for the 21st Century (A Report and MILE Guide for 21st Century Skills) http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/downloads/P21_Report.pdf. MILE (Milestones for Improving Learning) Guide for the 21st Century skills. http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/downloads/P21_Mile_Guide_Printable.pdf
Tidbit:
Seligman, K. (2006, May 14). Young and wired. San Francisco Chronicle, Retrieved November 20, 2006, from http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/05/14/CMGGKIACOL75.DTL
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Well, I cannot agree with you anymore, especially the quote you cited that, “if teachers are not as good as the materials they use they should be replaced by them.” Teachers nowadays are more like facilitators or supporters rather than owners of information or knowledge once students get the key of open-source software. Two thousands ago, Confucius said teachers are for conveying principle, reason, and logic of content, and for solving doubt and uncertainty. I was thinking what would he say now if he were still alive. I went to a workshop that teaches teachers to utilize open-source software such as Moodle in Taiwan. I saw the trend and possibility at that time and thus decide to study abroad to searching for more resources like this.
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