Greenhow, C (2008).Who Are Today's Learners? Learning & Leading. Sept/Oct 2008, 12-15.
What engages Middle Grade Students to achieve in school and how do they view technology? A random sample of approximately 4000 North Carolina middle-school students who participated in a “...statewide after-school program...” was conducted to determine what they liked best in school. After answering questions “..about technology conditions, skills, and use for communication, collaboration, productivity, and entertainment…” it was found the majority of students were proficient in word processing , spreadsheets and Power Point and “…ranked using computers and doing internet research as the school activities they liked best.” Students made several suggestions to Educators which included a need for more technologies for learning, more portable technologies as wireless connectivity and “…loosening up some of the technology restrictions.”
The education field has conducted extensive research in the fields of learning and teaching technique. One reliable research activity appears to be staring Educators right in the face; asking the students themselves. Today’s students are comfortable and very proficient with technology. Technology is a means to connecting and reaching them.
1. Are students technology interests to narrow and limited?
It doesn’t matter whether or not a students technology interests are to narrow
( e.g. iphone, emailing….etc) or not they still have the feel and interest in technology. Throughout their schooling career students have been exposed to technology and have developed a propensity for it. It is not so foreign to them that they would be afraid to attempt new adventures.
2. Who really are today’s learners?
Although students have a ways to go in learning about the world I am definitely still learning about technology. I may have some knowledge but I am very limited. To catch up to them in using text messaging, social networks, gaming it
is I who am the true learner. I, myself, must put more effort into this if not more than today’s middle or high school students.
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