A minute with Ian Jukes

I am responding to an edition of audio journal that I just finished, where Ian jukes was interviewed about digital learners.  The main premise of the interview was that students are fundamentally different than previous generations, and therefore should be taught differently. He states that students are different due to "Digital Bombardment".  This digital bombardment causes students to process the same information differently than we do.  Students have a more acute sense of visual learning with enhanced visual memory and visual processing skills.

Well just knowing students are different is know benefit if we don't teach them differently.  These digital students often times are taught in an analog world that simply moves too slowly and bores them.  The digital learner prefers a parallel quickly moving world verses a sequential orderly one. The digital learner is interested in "Just in Time Learning" with instant gratification and immediate rewards.  Often needs of constant affirmation, lots of attention and a desire to distinguish themselves from others. These learners ultimately  prefer learning that is relevant, active, instantly useful, and of course fun.

This interview was insightful and caused me to think of things I am doing in the classroom that are specifically helping digital learners and others that are hindering their learning style.  Ian jukes also recommended a book that I intend to check out, Teaching for Tomorrow by Ted McCain no relation to the presidential candidate.