Found on the web

Doing some research, I found this description of today's learners (esp. with relation to technology, I think that it seems pretty accurate. That's not just for the students, I feel I can identify with a number of the things that it says... have a look:

Frand's 10 characteristics of an information age mindset learner summarised from Frand V L - The Information-Age Mindset. Educause review September/October 200. Vol 35 No. 5.

Computers aren't technology If you can remember the first time that you used a piece of technology, eg the Internet, then it is technology. For me I can't remember the first time that I used a phone, it is not technology for me. For our students, using a PC is not technology, it is just part of life.
Internet better than TV For the first time, since television was introduced, the number of hours that young people spend watching TV has been reduced and replaced with time online. Students are now using the Internet for everything especially socialising and often believe that everything is available on the Internet.
Reality no longer real Through photography, we began to believe what we saw. However, with digital manipulation of images, hoax emails etc. can we believe what we see? How accurate is the information online.


Doing rather than knowing In the past, the shelf life of information would be decades, if not centuries. Now, due to technology, it is measured in months and, sometimes, years. This changes students' attitudes and perceptions of information. Doing and results are seen as more important than knowing information which will be out of date in a few years or even months.


Nintendo over logic The quickest way to win a Nintendo game is to try and try again. Trial and error. If there is a problem, the PC can be rebooted. Students use this approach to learning which contrasts vividly with the more traditional, rule-based approach to solving problems. We need to consider the benefits and disadvantages to ensure that we can meet all learning styles through our use of technology in education.


Multitasking as a way of life Most students are comfortable listening to music, answering an email, talking on the phone and surfing the web simultaneously. Learning with technology will just be one activity that our students will be engaging with. How will this affect the way we present information?


Typing rather than handwriting Most students are more familiar with the keyboard than pens. The digital word can be manipulated easier than paper and re-used and recycled.


Staying connected Students want to stay in touch - wherever, whenever. They have phones, PDAs and bleepers. For learning this means these students do not need or want to be constrained by the physical location of education.


Zero tolerance for delays Our students have grown up in a 24 x 7 culture, customer-service culture. They are used to immediacy. Emails allow students to contact tutors but imply an expected short response time.


Consumer/creator blurring The web has made it easier to create information and make it available. It has also made it easier to access information. For many students, there is now a blurring of creator, user and owner of information.

Found at www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk/InfoKits/effective-use-of-VLEs/intro-to-VLEs/introtovle-student/frands-10-char