Consider this video: “A Vision of Students Today.” While this is indicative of college students, what does this mean for learners in your context?
In addition, the Pew Research Center recently reported:
Cell-phone texting has become the preferred channel of basic communication between teens and their friends, with cell calling a close second. Some 75% of 12-17 year-olds now own cell phones, up from 45% in 2004. Those phones have become indispensable tools in teen communication patterns …. Fully two-thirds of teen texters say they are more likely to use their cell phones to text their friends than talk to them to them by cell phone (”The mobile phone has become the favored communication hub for the majority of American teens.” section; para. 1-3)
How do we adapt instruction based on this message? Should we adapt instruction at all based on this message?
Related articles
- Trend Watch: Pew Study Finds 75% of Teens Own Mobile Phones, Teen Texting Takes Off (debaird.net)
- Teen Texting Now Tops Teen Cell Calling (cbsnews.com)
Here are some previous posts that you may be interested in:
My first response is WOW!! Being a graduate student, I have had my share of classes. Some that were relevant and some were not. In the ones that were not, I did spend a lot of time doing things just to stay awake; if I went at all.
As I get older, and I am still a student, I find being in an actual class, with people, seems to comfort me in sorts. So, for me now, I would prefer a classroom setting. With today’s students, Im not so sure. I have mostly taught preschool children so they have to be there. When I think of my 14 year old, who can NOT live with her cellphone or the computer, Im not so sure. She is always “bored” and it seems that nothing “old school” like books and writing interests her. I wonder what type of hurdles her teachers face? Does she pay attention? Do they use technology that will keep her interested?
As a teacher, this video reminds me that even 3 & 4 year olds are exposed to technology and I need to incorporate more into their daily routines to give them more learning opportunities and to keep them interested; before they end up like my bored 14 year old!