Lesson 3: Understanding Technology Learners

CONTENT

       

        Today’s learners appear smarter, yet they can’t read as their parents do and they are addicted to the internet. The concern for new learners is valid. On the other hand, it is to be admitted that our teachers today generally use the traditional education program applicable to learners of the past, acquainted with linear, textual, and sequential learning. They feel to realize that the new generation of the 21^st millennium is not the kind that they were, but are information technology or digital learners.

        Truly, there are valid concerns which must be met, and among these is the feared underdevelopment of new learners along social face-to-face interaction skills. On the other hand, there is the phenomenon of the young generation taking on multi-tasking as they perform task simultaneously. True to say, research shows that multi-tasking can be detrimental since this prevents concentration and completion of specific tasks. However, multi-tasking characterizes professional work in the new world of information technology. There is the need therefore to balance the good and possibly detrimental changes observed among new learners of this information technology age.

EXPERIENCE

       

        Teaching and learning process prior to my college life is really different from today’s teaching and learning process. Focusing only a paper-pencil technique and always writing in the board is quite difficult to learn easily and time consuming. I really have hard time on documenting and developing skills in handling computer way back my high school life. This is due to the lack of facilities also and the computer in-charge is very strict that we could only use it often times.

REFLECTION

        Technology as a tool for educative process is beneficiary. Learners can do their task in their own since it must be learner centered. There are lot of things to be learned and skills to develop with the use of technology integration. But, all things exist also have disadvantages. This can be overcome through teacher’s management. The teacher then has a very big role in doing everything for the students to learn what must be learned and develop the skills that must be developed. If everything was done successfully, learners then on their way in becoming a competitive individual.

APPLICATION

        As a future teacher, there must be a balance in using technology as a tool in teaching. If the subject or topic needs technology for better understanding, then, I could use video clips, audio visual, movie (if needed). But if the topic doesn’t really need it (technology), then, I could use models, mock ups, etc. making my discussion easier to understand.