The article “Planning for Neomillennial Learning Styles: Implications for Investments in Technology and Faculty” by Chris Dede of Harvard University outlines neomillennial learning styles, and the overarching theme seems to be immersion. He posits that this newest generation of learners is so steeped in immersive technology (via online gaming, wireless devices, social networks unrestricted by complications of location or proximity, etc) that schools should make every effort to overhaul classroom learning to take advantage of both the technologies available and students’ growing preference for it. I agree. Student’s learning styles and preferred modes of learning should be respected, if a school’s ultimate goal is to increase the likelihood of learning. Plus, these new technologies provide potential for personalization, customization, individualization, and educational opportunities well beyond the scope of the initially planned lesson. And if, as has been posited elsewhere, learners learn more by doing than by seeing or hearing, then these immersive technology tools, utilized in an educational environment, can only increase teacher and learner satisfaction by means of more thoroughly acquired educational objectives.
Another interesting point made by the article is that, since students frequently take on a different persona (or at least a persona amplified in one of the aspects of his or her personality), these virtual and or immersive environments allow students to gain a greater understanding of the concept of “identity,” whether individual or group. This fits in well with the theory of “empathy” put forward by Daniel H. Pink in another text we’re reading for class, called “A Whole New Mind.” Pink posits that only people who excel in empathy, or in understanding and feeling what another person is feeling, can truly prosper in the true millennium. Perhaps immersive technology, rather than keeping people apart by virtue of keeping them from interacting in person, will actually bring people together by pushing them to develop greater abilities in the fields of empathy and identification.
1 comment:
Sounds like your article is more interesting than mine. I agree with the article that schools should immerse themselves with technology that everyone is using. That way, students can see what they are learning/using is the same stuff what "real-people" are using outside. I believe it is important to have context in learning.
Post a Comment