The Unique Attributes of 21st Century Learners
Most of us today have grown up in a world that is encapsulated by technology. If you are around my age, 21 or so, then you know what I mean. Throughout grade school, I frequently used computers, tablets, and other forms of modern tools that are commonplace for 21st century learners. However, my parents, their parents, and so on did not have such tools at their disposal. Yes, that is what we will be discussing today. Children in this day and age are drastically different from past generations in terms of how they take in and use information and learn skills. So what exactly makes these 21st century learners tick? Why do they learn differently? Well, let's discuss.
According to Chris Drew from HelpfulProfessor.com, there are seven key features of 21st century learners. I will go into each of these and give context where needed. For starters, 21st century learners require a more personalized approach to learning. Not everyone learns at the same pace. Some children are fast learners, others might need a bit more help to get there, and that is okay. As a result, some teachers may change up their teaching methods to accommodate for a wider variety of skill sets. Next up, Drew talks about equity, diversity, and inclusivity. In this context, equity refers to educators trying to close achievement gaps between rich and poor students and put them on equal footing. Diversity refers to the wide variety of cultures now found in schools. Students are able to befriend people of other cultures and to embrace being different. Inclusivity refers to students of different ability levels, learning disabilities, and physical abilities. Regardless of what holds them back, they all deserve to contribute to the classroom and should not be shunned for something they cannot control. The third feature Drew mentions is learning through doing. Simply put, students nowadays learn more efficiently by learning actively. Instead of passively learning things, they are able to remember and put their knowledge to use to strengthen it. The next feature revolves around learner and teacher roles. In the 21st century, the roles of student and teacher have changed dramatically. Previously, classrooms were teacher-centered and they garnered all of the attention. Now, classrooms are student-centered as the teacher guides them through the learning process. Moving on, Drew talks about community relationships. Aside from teachers, there are many amazing community members out there that can provide knowledge to children in ways other than the traditional teaching methods. Earlier, I was talking about the use of technology in the classroom. This is exactly what Drew discusses next. Modern technology can be used to help students access information and think in ways otherwise not possible. These technologies are called cognitive tools for learning. The final attribute Chris Drew talks about is teacher professionalization. Teachers in the 21st century need ongoing training and should be thinking of how they can improve their teaching strategies.
I know that was a lot to go over, but if you want to read more, I will link to the original article at the end of this blog post. I would now like to end with a few questions. What would you say is another important attribute of 21st century learners that I did not discuss here? Would you say these seven attributes accurately reflect how learning is done in the 21st century, or have you experienced some differences throughout your education? Lastly, how was your experience with technology in your years of school? By that I mean, how often were you able to use technology and what did you primarily use it for? Thank you for reading and I would like to hear your thoughts on the matter.
Link to article: https://helpfulprofessor.com/21st-century-learning/
Hey Devin, So I am a little older than twenty-one lol. I am thirty-five. My experience with technology was not like it is today. However, it is and is not beneficial. Grade school students do all work on tablets now, yet still must have multiple binders and the same school supplies as when I was in school. When students had books, we as parents could look through the chapters and be able to help the child more proficiently with assignments. When I was in grade school, we went to the computer lab to use computers only if we had an assignment due where we needed to look up information or type an essay. However, I do find it helpful to the students to get hands on experience with electronics, so they are able to operate them for after graduation. Technology is becoming the way of the world and we in the working world depend on them for day to day.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting hearing from someone that's older. I don't mean that in a negative way, either. It doesn't seem like a huge time difference, but our experiences were very different because of the way learning is done nowadays. It's for better and for worse though. The massive reliance on technology in the current age is both a blessing and a curse.
DeleteI agree with you; childhood has changed a lot since a few years ago. I remember growing up with my sisters and cousins; we used to help each other do our assignments. Nowadays, you can see how kids do not even ask their parents for help because they now have electronic deceives to find help on the internet. The education system has been changing along with how kids flourish at home and school. Reading your selected article, one of the seven characteristics caught my attention: learning through doing. I have a little brother in seventh grade, and I can tell he does not have to memorize much like I did in school. Now, schools encourage students to learn through doing, which is a better technique. Another characteristic could be critical thinking & problem-solving.
ReplyDeleteIt's the same here for me. I used computers a lot in my time at school, but it seems even since then they've become more prevalent. My brother is currently in 11th grade and he seems to bring his laptop to school and use it much more often than I did during that time.
DeleteI definitely agree with you, I grew up using computers and tablets in school but we had certain times we used them. I used to work at a daycare and the students told me they strictly worked off of computers now. Technology has taken over and class isn't the same anymore, kids now do not get the same hands on experience as I did growing up. Yes it is a good thing they are being taught how to use the electronics, but I feel as if they should still have the same experience.
ReplyDeleteInteresting take. I do think technology has its place in the classroom, but it does somewhat take away from the more physical and hands on learning experience from the olden days. When all their learning is done on the computer, they might not be able to get much real world experience with that material.
DeleteI do not like the new teaching methods that are design for computer based teaching. When I was in school we carried books and it was easier to study, look up definitions,and answer questions regarding the lesson, now teachers rely on gadgets so much, it takes away from actual homework review. My kid is in 3rd grade and struggling with reading but because they do most lessons in class , a lot of computer based screenings, and rarely send reading lessons home, i'm left to figure out how to strengthen his skills hands on myself. They have a chrome book that weighs just as much as two books, and the teachers are not even strict about hand writing, which is another skill that electronics take away. I could go on and on about what use to be and what is today, but technology, we must keep up with change.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate someone from a different age group chiming in. From an outsider's view, I could see how it looks like. Your son's education is done so much so on the computer that his more real world skills are falling behind, like his handwriting for example. Granted, my handwriting has never been very good either, but I believe it is for the best that we keep integrating technology into our education. It has its ups, it surely has its downs, but I think it's a balance we need to strive for.
DeleteIt's amazing how much-advanced technology has improved compared to when I was in high school. Computer software programs are the new teaching. Continuing my education at my age has been challenging, but in some areas of teaching, I do believe a hands-on teaching experience is better. In all other aspects, the advantage is with the workforce because of technology.
ReplyDeleteThat's very true. The workforce as a whole has been bettered by technology. You can do so much more with computers than most physical media which is why it's quickly become the norm for teaching and education.
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ReplyDeleteI am only 20 years old, so you wouldn't think that technology in school would have changed so much but I feel it has, and was changing when I was in school. When I started school, there weren't even smart boards, and now, most elementary classrooms have advanced even past that. Many elementary schools have laptops for each student to bring home for schoolwork. Some of the kids I babysit are in first grade, and have already started coding, with a learning website for young students. It is amazing to see how much more accessible technology is these days as compared to even just ten years ago.
ReplyDeleteI am 22 and I feel that technology was at every level of school I got to. Whether it was tablets or laptops , and the smart boards I have seen it all. Every year there is something new for the younger kids to use to help them learn.
ReplyDeleteI can totally agree with you on the comment how thing change adopting to the 21st century with technology. When I was in middle and high school back in the 70s electronic technology was not as popular as is in today times. Technology use of electronic have change a lot adopting to the 21st century and becoming a more norm to education society in dwelling around school assignments.
ReplyDeleteThe ways of the world are ever changing but our grasp on technology is increasing. I remember when I was in high-school and we got our very first huge, loud computer at home that took forever to load and made the worst sound. I remember the days of researching in the library for books to write my essays on. Technology has improved our lives in many ways, but has also caused problems in other areas, especially within the school system. I personally feel that although both of my teenagers are excellent with using any type of electronic device and or social media outlet, they both lack social skills. I feel like technology is causing a lack of social development within the school system.
ReplyDeleteI just recently turned 30. I used technology in school, but not as much as they use it today. I think it is a good thing they have technology right at their fingertips during school and can be extremely helpful. I also feel that it should be a healthy balance. They also need to learn the old traditional way with books in front of them and listening to the teacher. It is beneficial but to much of anything can be bad.
ReplyDeleteIn our society of usage of technology is increasing and at a rapid paste. I'm now 20 years old we didn't use any technology as much as we do now. I know during the Covid Era we depended on technology a lot due to the social distancing and online learning. I believe this is only of the many reason that we are moving quicker in our advancements. Also people are making things more technology like cars for example.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is more prevalent today than it was 10 years ago. It helps students further establish their identities online and also helps with classroom material. The students can take advantage of this further by accessing online material and coursework. Before, students would use physical copies but now the modern age has changed the way that it is approached.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in school, technology was different than it is today. Every student did not have their own computer. We went to the computer lab and worked on typing. My mother was a teacher at my elementary school, and she had one computer in her class. I remember getting to play games on it while waiting for her at the end of the day. Those games were Oregon Trail and Wheel of Fortune, and that definitely shows my age lol. My generation did not have the technology that this one does, but we are in a unique position that we were still young enough when it became prevalent that we were able to adapt to it. I now attend school exclusively online and am able to keep up with my younger peers.
ReplyDeleteMy experience with technology growing up in school consisted of taking a computer class that taught me how to use it and type 30 wpm. Today technology is woven into the actual lesson. My daughter who is in kindergarten is being shown how to use a computer as part of her lesson. I know that these are just the times that we are in. I am not sure if the pandemic may have increased the incorporation of technology into the schools' lesson plans or not. It is both scary and cool at the same time to me. These are the things that I wish were available to me growing up. To be exposed to technology at an early age and be shown the possibilities of the things that can be achieved with it.
ReplyDeleteTechnology has definitely changed how students learn in the 21st century. The vast wealth of information (and misinformation) can be overwhelming. Students and teachers must learn how to sort through this collection of data available to them via the internet to best suit their learning style and needs. I agree with the seven attributes discussed, and think that learning and teaching continue to evolve now as they have throughout human history. Technology has always been used in my academic career, but especially in college considering I have been an online student for a year or two now.
ReplyDeleteAs a much younger person, I haven't ever known a learning environment in which I did not use technology. The only class I ever learned with my hands was art, and even then most assignments had you use the internet for references and ideas. I can't imaging the "good old days" without technology. Literally. I'd imagine school as it was when I was there: with fancy tools. Information is becoming a bigger and more impactful part of our lives more and more each day. This blog post has a lot to digest, but It gives you some things to think about.
ReplyDeleteThe use of technology did not sprout for my generation until the seventh grade. Prior to the seventh grade, the use of technology for educational purposes was unheard of. Once desktop computers became more accessible, my generation was taught, first and foremost, how to operate these computers. We were then taught how to type, explore, and learn using these computers. At this time, computers weren't limited. This technology hadn't been invented yet at this point. I believe that the seven attributes listed reflects education in the 21st century appropriately. It's amazing how technology has advanced throughout the years, especially in the field of education.
ReplyDeleteI think another important attribute of 21st-century learners is that they are more proactive in their education. I feel like students today have more say (and want more say) than past generations when it comes to their education and tend to lean toward activism. Besides that, the seven attributes listed seem to reflect learning in the 21st century pretty well!
ReplyDeleteStudents in today's world want to learn, the old school way of pen and paper just doesn't cut it. Everything in our lives have upgraded, horses to cars, and ordering food to the door! Yet there are still education systems that use pen and paper. Children now a days cannot focus, they are at home on video games, they are more apt to use technology so why not incorporate it? It allows them to focus a lot easier, catches their short attention spans, and has way more knowledge on tap than a book OR TEACHER!
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