EDU 5503 Videos

The video presented in EDU 5503 states that today's students are no longer thriving in the "traditional" learning environment.  Today's students have different needs than just 10-15 years ago.  The newest generation of learners are multi-taskers who spend as much or more time in their day engaging in technology and connecting with their peers through technological outlets than they do sleeping.  The old school form of teaching (i.e. standing in front of the classroom presenting information, paper and textbook assignments, copying down notes from the board) is not working for this group of kids.  Although the "Digital Natives" of today are not showing as much success with the traditional form of learning, they are absolutely capable of learning the same information just as concretely and thoroughly as the previous generation of learners.  However, for Digital Natives to thrive inside the classroom educators must change their methods of teaching.  Learning for these students needs to be fast paced, relevant, hands-on, interactive, "fun", and technology centered.  As an educator it is easy to say, "Wait a minute, it is my job to teach these kids, not put on a 3-ring circus for them!"  But teachers must get away from that type of stubborn, negative, thinking.  In the long run, changing up lessons that are geared towards today's learners will pay off.  Students will become engaged in the information and play an active role in their learning--something every teacher should strive for!