21st Century Learners

A 21st century learner is part of a generation that has never known a world without the Internet, without computers, without video games and without cell phones. They are digital natives who have grown up with information technology.

The educational needs and learning styles of today’s students have been dramatically impacted by today’s digital world. In order to ensure that our students are prepared for the challenges of the future, 21st Century teachers must adapt educational delivery to inspire our students to become creative problem solvers and intellectual risk takers. They must provide engaging learning experiences to today’s students who are:

• Interactive and Experiential – Their learning style is experiential, self-directed and interactive. Teachers must create learning environments that are as engaging and relevant as those that students experience outside of school.
• Comfortable with Technology – Our students have interacted with computers, cell phones, video games and the Internet their whole lives. Current research suggests that the brains of the “digital generation” have adapted physically and chemically causing them to process information differently than earlier generations.
• Hyper-Communicators – In today’s interconnected and technology-driven world, time and distance mean little to students who are accustomed to communicating and retrieving information by pressing a button. They thrive in a learning environment that is timely, relevant and meaningful and need access to the digital tools and media-rich resources that will help them explore, understand and express themselves in the world they will inherit tomorrow.
• Creative and Collaborative – They are excited to create and share content that is challenging, motivating and relevant. The prevalence of digital media allows them to create images and collaborate freely with others.