Chapter 2

How can you design your curriculum and professional development in the workplace so it supports these new learners?

     Students in school today are wired differently than those in the past because of technology usage.  Students play video games, use text messaging, chat online, search the web for just about anything, get music, share videos, and much more.   This means that they think, work, and play differently from previous generations. (Solomon & Schrum, pg. 27)  Students want to use technology as a main source of learning, but it seems that some teachers are not up to par to teach that way.  

     Utecht (2006) says to allow students to choose their method of presentation, find their own information, and learn in a way that meets their needs.  I believe that this allows students to learn and create on their own, like in a real job.  I agree with Solomon & Schrum's following statement regarding teaching methods for these new learners: 

"To help students acquire these skills and become synthesizers means not just providing access to technological tools but also employing the pedagogical tools that are more powerful when combined with technology."  "Technology makes it possible to target the right approaches for each student in order to provide individualized and differentiated instruction."  

This being said, constructivism, project-based learning, and connectivism are all teaching approaches that allow the teacher to present content in a non-traditional way.  Thus, the students will work and learn by building upon what they already know, engage with issues and questions that are rich, real, and relevant to their lives, and include technology as a key factor of learning. (Solomon & Schrum, pgs. 38-41)