Dr. Beth Holmes gave an inspiring presentation on how children growing up in the 21st century think differently than children growing up in previous generations. They are growing in a digital world that creates brain patterns that can process visual and auditory information 30 times more effectively than we can. Below is a list of 8 characteristics of digital learners.
1.Digital Learners prefer receiving information quickly from multiple multimedia sources. Many educators prefer slow and controlled release of information from limited sources.
2.Digital Learners prefer parallel processing and multi-tasking. Many educators prefer singular processing and single or limited tasking.
3.Digital Learners prefer processing pictures, sounds color, and video before text. Many educators prefer to provide text before pictures, sounds, color and video.
4.Digital Learners prefer random access to hyper-linked multimedia information. Many teachers prefer to provide info linearly, logically and sequentially.
5.Digital Learners prefer to network simultaneously with many others. Many educators prefer students to work independently before they network and Interact.
6.Digital Learners prefer to learn “just-in-time.” Many educators prefer to teach “just-in-case.”
7.Digital Learners prefer instant gratification and Immediate rewards. Many educators prefer deferred gratification and delayed rewards.
8.Digital Learners prefer learning that’s relevant, active, instantly useful and fun. Many educators prefer or feel compelled to teach to the curriculum guide and tests.
We’ve learned to teach to a variety of learning modalities in the past – here’s our chance to address the needs of the digital learners we see every day. What are your thoughts about what you learned from Dr. Holmes presentation? Can you think of one way you could make a small change to address some of what was presented and share it?
18 hours ago
She was sooo good! I went home and shared my notes via e-mail with friends! Several of us have discussed over the past few years that the things we have done lately that USED to grab their attention and used to get excited about just seemed to bore them now. They look at us with those little eyes and blank stares as if saying, “is this all there is?” For me, this cleared up a LOT of the “why.” Amazing thoughts!
ReplyDeleteI can tell that my work is cut out for me to keep things fast-paced and active to keep their attention!
Very good presentation by Dr. Beth Holmes yesterday. We should be proud of our school. I believe that our school is making the necessary adjustments IN TIME to meet the needs of our digital learners.
ReplyDeleteAn example is that we allow every child in our classrooms to view what’s being presented. The new generation of easy-to-use projectors ensures that all those cool websites, presentation tools, educational software, streaming video and other digital tools are actually incorporated into the classroom — and used by the students.
Thank you for your comment, anonymous AKA Sylvia
ReplyDelete-Steve
I found the information Dr. holmes gave us to be very interesting and challenging. I can see exactly what she meant. I will try to use as much hands on, visuals and sounds when I am teaching Health to classes. One way I have found that seems to make a difference when I am teaching handwashing and fighting germs is to dress up as "SUPER GERM FIGHTER" and present the class as a super hero and how I fight germs. Debbie
ReplyDeleteThis has given me further encouragement to find ways in which to truly connect with my instant, digitized, multi-tasking little friends.
ReplyDeleteFor one, it makes me think that the apparent increase in children with attention "problems" may not ALL truly be PROBLEMS, but children that need to have additional opportunities to multi-task.
As for the impact of this knowledge on our classrooms-- WOW! What an exciting time. I see a need for much more teacher education pertaining to project-based learning, project management and assessment/evaluation.
However, if we are given the tools to guide these children appropriately, they will create a world that looks entirely different from one that I can even imagine!
-Katie
What an EYE OPENER! I was SO pleased with the way Dr. Holmes presented her information. It was relevant to what we are dealing with as teachers in the 21st Century. It made me think that our "digital natives" may be bored with the way that we are presenting information, causing more behavior problems, etc. I will now take this new found information into consideration when trying to teach new concepts.
ReplyDeleteMaria
Dr Holmes knew what I was thinking. She was aware of how things are changing fast in the classroom. I liked the way she expressed an understanding of how difficult it is to change current practices.
ReplyDeleteI brought home the information about the Brainbow 100 research. Brian and I had a discussion about long term studies. It may be years before we know and understand exactly how the neuro paths form differently for our digital learners.
I think in kindergarten we can do more partner projects. Last year in the Spring the readers used books, magazines, posters, research on computers(with guidance),and each other to learn more about their favorite animal.
I will try to shorten directions even more to 'must know' information. This will require them to do more thinking about how to complete a project. Rhonda
Wow! The info that Dr Holmes shared with us supported by the Brainbow research findings really touched me and has caused me to think seriously about getting more quickly out of the 20th century and into 21st Century teaching. I will admit that I have been one to drag my feet--can on old girl learn new teaching methods and rewire my old brain?
ReplyDeleteI admit that our students respond positively to collaborative and activly involved learning environments. My starting point needs to begin with practicing the use of newer software and technology as well as allowing my students to participate in well thought out cooperative learning tasks.
By small steady steps large mountains are conquered. What a great group of educators, administrators and staff I am blessed to journey with.
Anita
Dr. Holmes presentation was very enlightening! We have come so far in digital learning, yet there is so much more to come. I am definitely one of the "old gals" who has to be taught "new tricks". My brain needs to move on with the changes coming. FRPS is a wonderful place to be to learn about this new technology! Thank you Dr. Holmes for a very interesting presentation ... MLL
ReplyDeleteIt is very exciting to read your positive responses to the message I shared! Thank you for your great interest in serving your students! I think it is terrific that Steve Nelsen posted the 8 characteristics of digital learners for your review and reflection. I'm pleased to share that these characteristics were originally developed by Ian Jukes, an international leader and thinker in the area of 21st century learning.
ReplyDeleteAs you rethink Steve's good question about a small change you might make to address the learning characteristics of digital learners, you might also consider these questions:
1.) What would have to change in order to make your lessons increasingly digitally appropriate?
2.) What change do you wish you could make tomorrow?
Wow-this is a bit overwhelming! Dr. Holmes' presentattion was very informative. I feel that many children are already over-stimulated. This will be a challenge for us as teachers to keep up with these "digital learners"!
ReplyDeleteDebbie
The presentation was superb and the follow ups by both teachers and Steve made it even better. I kept thinking about the kids I read with and have determined that it's not them- IT'S ME!!!!! I wonder, as Anite did, if my own brain can be rewired or if I can at least meet them halfway. The follow ups promise to be even more exciting and I am so proud of all of you for your eternal willingness to reconsider and reinvent. You are the best! Debbie P
ReplyDeleteI loved the information Dr. Holmes shared with us about brain research. My thoughts over the years have been,"How can I compete with video games?" Now I realize that I need to incorporate more technology when reaching those techno-savy kids. This has given me a boost and a more positive outlook for my future teaching. I discussed this "wiring" of the brain with my daughters that night at dinner...All three teenagers! We really have known for a long time that we were wired differently, but now there is proof! Thanks for sharing some of what you know, Dr. Holmes. We truely hope that you come back and inspire and inform us further.
ReplyDeleteOk, here is my insight on what is being posted. Steve's first question pertained to Dr. Holmes presentation. That question was very easy to address-she is fantastic, inspiring, timely, etc. Leave it to me to want a follow up on Steve's 2nd question. What is your small change going to be? Now that question is harder. It is the actual step that is so difficult. Here is what I'm going to try with my reading kids. Colored text and varied placement. I can't rewrite all my books but I can produce some samples of my own. Especially, for those kids who miss parts of words, the whole right side of the page... Maybe the color and placement of text can help. I am certainly going to give it a try!
ReplyDeleteI too found the presentation about digital learners interesting and amazing. It is definitely a challenge to all of us to come into the 21st century and meet our students! We are fortunate to have a forward looking administration that already sees the need to get us informed, trained and engaged in the technological revolution that is occurring in education today. American education will most certainly be unable to prepare students to take their place in the world without advancing in technology that will be necessary to be on a level playing field with many of the other nations in the future.
ReplyDeleteI found Dr. Holmes presentation on digital learners very interesting. Any of us who have spent 15 minutes with a teenager realize that they are definetly wired differently then we are. I keep telling myself that I am supposed to be part of that "digital age", however it does not sink in when it comes to doing so many of the things they can do -- just watch their speed when they text (it is scary). What comes as a surprise is how young these kids are starting out. It is no surprise that we have a hard time keepign our kids attention sometimes. Kids today are used to the fast paced world of computers, internet, and television. To them a teacher talking to them is very slow and boring. As a teacher I have to strive to find ways to keep my students involved (yes, that means the 3 year olds). I need to make use of the web sites out there that are easy for my little guys to navigate as a tool in my class. I just have to remeber that I need to keep up and that I am part of the digital age whether I want to be or not.
ReplyDeleteDr. Holmes was very interesting to listen to. She provided a wealth of usable information about today's students and how their brains are wired differently than past generations. I loved her comparison about students being broadband while we are still using dial-up. I look forward to learning more ways to implement appropriate ways to teach students of the 21st Century.
ReplyDeleteThis presentation has inspired me to research more programs that meet the needs of our primary students. I think it is a common misconception to think that our youngsters are too young to understand/operate complex computer programs. Since the presentation I have really improved the quality of our students time spent on computers.
ReplyDelete