Good points, William, and due to both asynchronous and synchronous capabilities of the technology, immediacy is possible, as well as self-pacing.
I basically see it as making the learning more exciting for the student. It not only allows a 24/7 time frame to work with, but it also gives the student the tools to work parts of their course anywhere and when they are really ready to post or answer something. I often am not really ready to answer a question or post a comment until I have had a little time to reflect on the topic.
Very true, William, and how do you see this changing the learning environment for students?
Because they have been brought up with the technology that has been expanding rapidly for the past 40 years. This technology allows them to access information and communicate with others anytime and almost anywhere.
Great points, Carissa. Yes, the results of the nomadic characteristics of the technology users might also affect how courses and programs are organized and delivered.
Given the opportunity, many of today's students can and will access their courses anytime, anywhere. I think another benefit of this is a student who may need to move can continue their academic program instead of transferring. Instructors (like me) can also have a long-term relationship with a university no matter how many times they move.
Yes, Howard, and the challenges are many as are the benefits for instruction. Have you had any experience which demonstrates how the nomadic characteristics of these learners can actually support learning?
They are referred as nomadic because of all the gadets that they have .but they still need patients.the new gen Y gets bored to fast.
The term nomadic simply seems to refer to the students ability to be untethered to the brick and mortar classroom. People have more connectivity and ability to review course materials and interact in the classroom through fully online and blended learning models.
Good points, Jack. Students are exploring and so are teachers :) How do you think the nomadic characteristics of current students enhance the learning experience?
Nomads were the explorers in the past and our current Students are exploring this new training idea. It is so important that the content is clear, informative and easy to use. If it isn't it is just as easy for the Student to wander off and explore some other subject that is not relevant to their learning. Their attention needs to be held for their success.
Great point about "time on task", Kim. This works for both students and instructors as you say. It also means that often students are taking the initiative and being extremely self-directed, which is great.
Today's generation of learners are extremely flexible in when and where they chose to have what I call a "learning moment". I have seen students sitting in the park or a doctor's office and take out their iPad and read a Chapter or write a paper.I have been stuck in traffic and taken out my phone to check in on my online discussions.
Technology has given today's learner an abundance of freedom of choice in their method of learning and time on task for that learning. Everywhere is a good time and place to participate in learning.
Well said, Ken. Teaching is not an exact science and ongoing learning is crucial. Learning from each other is also vital as we all strive to get better at our job.
So, Jackie, how can new technology help present content in a more interesting fashion to students? Also, how can new technology help support the actual learning process?
As instructors we must think out side the box and deliver the course content in a way that our students ie coustomer can understand it;That may consist of a different way we instruct our class
In reply to the term hijacking,isn't some of the best learning techniques taking from Instructor to Instructor. We gain ideas by talking to coworkers and people in the field to help us put other proccesses in our teaching styles. If an idea can be hijacked, by all means do it, the student will benifit from the expanded learning and the Instructor will not become stagnent or set in his ways.
Exactly, Larry. Direct communication and open access (open source, open editing etc) are fairly characteristic of the expectations of today's students. Knowing this, can you think of changes you might want to make to your current instructional design in order to accomodate this?
Because of the demand for constant and extensive networking capabilities and all of the various ways (methods) of communicating. Essentailly there are no boundaries to communicate and therefore an emergence of multiple ways to cross those boundaries (new applications and new verbiage).
For example, if you were shopping for a new laptop and wanted to get the best for the investment. Immediate consultation and feedback is available from a world wide pool of data which includes those with personal experiences with specific types.
Yes, Clive, and that "immediacy" changes a lot of things for both instructor and student. As you say, many of us did not grow up with this kind of connectivity and mobile technology, however, although it might be a huge learning curve, it can add so much dynamic to the learning process for students. Can you think of some examples, Clive, where real time technology could make a difference with your students?
