My belief and understanding of todays, 21st Century Learners, is that they need and seek out more engaging and up-to-date learning in schools. Prensky divides people into two sectors, being Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants. Our future learners will be mostly be Digital Natives, as they are keeping up with the always new and exciting technology that arises, as well as what their friends/family are using.
Learning through Technology and Digitally is very important for our generation of children, as some are being accused of having things such as ADHD, simply because they will not 'pay attention' in class. I think this is silly, as it is obviously a very un-engaging class and the student feels there is nothing important to learn. This is where you need to think about the child's style of learning, adapt it into your teaching strategies, and furthermore, incorporate it into Digital Technology-- as this is always growing and has various interesting factors. Not just send them to a doctor as you are concerned they may have ADHD. (1)
The term 'Engage me or Enrage me' I actually find very true, as I have several younger cousins and siblings in that all differ in their learning 'abilities'. One of my cousins is very, very active and loves to do things all the time. He is currently in year 3. His teacher would often explain to his mother, "Look, Corbyn just isn't listening in class, and is getting distracted by all sorts of things, how much T.V is he watching at home? He is telling me he would like to watch Mr.Minit to learn to make things? What is Mister Minit?"---- Don't you see?!!! She obviously hasn't taken the time to understand how he learns, and obviously is a Digital Immigrant is she doesn't see any form of Digital Technology a learning tool. (2)
I cannot wait to be a Learning Manager in the future, all of this will change!!!
References:
(1) http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf
(2) http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/erm0553.pdf
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