Bicol University

College of Agriculture and Forestry

Guinobatan , Albay

LESSON 3

Understanding Technology Learners

PREPARED BY: MARK L. ATIVO

III-Bachelor of Agricultural Technology major in Agricultural Technology Education

Lesson 3 Understanding Technology LearnersIntroduction Today`s learners appear smarter, yet they can`t read as their parents do and they are addicted to the internet. Even in classes, their concentration is questionable as they are uneasy to simply sit and listen .They become alive again through video presentation group activities and computer classes.

It is observed that, the new learners spend much time talking with friends on their cellphones, sending text messages , interacting through social Internet media like the Facebook, playing video games and surfing the World Wide Web..

Lest the concern for new learners is not well understood, it serves to know what scientist say,

as follow:

• There are positive benefits derived from the use of information technology or digital resources and these counterbalance possible negative effects of technology on children.

• Daily exposure to high technology-personal computers, video game gadgets , cellphone, Internet search sites-stimulates the brain by strengthening and creating neural circuits.

Cont…..• A current technological revolution is creating an

intellectual revolution ,faster and better than ever before.

The 19th century psychologist JEAN PIAGET presented a chart from childhood to adulthood with the first two years of susceptible minds ,six years of acquiring communication skills ,teenage years of transition concrete thinking, and adult years of abstract thinking and reasoning.

Given the digital age today . Piaget’s traditional learning chart may have to be redefined . Even at a very early stage at preparatory school, computer-aided instruction are offered as digital tools.

Jean Piaget

Digital technology resources , such as Ipod music devices, video game gadgets, computer games, mobile phones, and the Internet contribute to their digital acculturation..

Truly, there are valid concerns which must be met, and among these is the feared underdevelopment if new learners along social face-to-face interaction skills. On the other hand, there is the phenomenon of the young generation taking in multi-tasking as they perform tasks simultaneously: watching video, chatting on line, downloading pictures and music, surfing the Web, etc.

True to say, research shows that multitasking can be detrimental since this prevents concentration and the completion of specific tasks. However, multitasking characterizes professional work in the new world of information technology .There is the need therefore to balance the good and possibly detrimental changes observed among new learners of this information technology age..

DISCUSSIONIn small groups, discuss and report:

1.How many in the group think they belong to the technology or digital generation?

2.How many feel they should support and stride along the information technology revolution.?

3.Present ideas on how to balance "butterfly-like " multitasking skills with single-task skills to accomplish specific task.

Activity SELP- HELP: Differentiate the parents 30 years ago and the new millennial generation using word/phrases:

Parents 30 Years Ago

New Millennial Generation

Media/technologies available New Technologies

Social relationships New social relationships

Beliefs or values New beliefs or values

REFERENCES:1. PAZ I. LUCIDO PH.D, Educational Technology 2 ,LORIMAR Publishing Inc.

2. Google.com for some pictures

THANK YOU & god bless