And even then the challenge is that you cannot please everyone when designing a course that meets the needs of those in the course.
If they don't like what they're receiving, then they'll keep moving until they do.
The term "nomad" means "wanderer", or essentially anyone that continually goes from place to place with no permanent locale. This generation of students, comparative to previous generations, are considered "nomadic" because they too wander attempting to find a comfort zone that fits their educational needs. In the past, a student would enroll in a college or university, then stay there for their entire 4-year program and never transferring, for the exception of students who come in from junior colleges.
However, with so many educational options becoming available today, students are moving from place to place taking courses they need that fit their needs in this busy world we live in. Most people are still relatively loyal to their single school, but many others have decided to move on and choose blended learning with both the online and classroom formats so they are able to get their education while working full-time or participating in other daily activities.
There are so many good points in this discussion! The term "nomad" does seem a bit out of place, then again, I can totally understand the analogy or correlation. What I sometimes see, is that there is a disconnect between us being social creatures in the real world vs. isolating ourselves in the virtual world.
Yes, the internet and other technologies do bring people together, I said that myself in another thread. However, I do see some students, people in general, that become less social because they don't have to interact with anyone other than their online clans, if they choose not to.
I marvel at my daughter who many times will not talk on the phone but text. In fact you can hardly go anywhere without seeing someone with head down, fingers flying over the small keyboard on their cell or PDA. So yes, they are moving from virtual place to place, but in some respects they are "staying in their comfort zone" as someone pointed out above. They don't look up and strike up a conversation, or even notice the person sitting right next to them. They don't seek out new or varied experiences online, but stay right where they've been and tend to frequently be.
While I love the internet and related mobile technologies, I believe we as instructors have an obligation to help students achieve a balance between utilizing the resources as "tools" as someone called it, versus the "crutch." The crutch is a dangerous thing. It adds to the nomadic quality if not channeled through our academic efforts to teach how to use the tools for research as well as entertainment. For socializing, as well as giving them new ideas to discuss, or questions to pursue in real time.
When I have my Cognitive Psych students do a literature review, I do teach them HOW to search and gather sources, which doesn't just encompass typing in www.google.com and hitting enter! I often encourage them to interview live people in person or by phone, as well as online. The diversity in perspectives is invaluable when they put the process together from the "bottom up."
Like anything, too much of it can be a bad thing, but I love it too much to say there is no potential to connect people and bring about experiences that might not otherwise be attainable for teachers or students. But I don't want them to climb so far to the other end of the spectrum that they dilute their live social abilities and remain nomads in the world wide web. Teaching them to discern when to use which approach is critical thinking and analysis at its best, in my humble opinion.
Wouldn't it be fascinating to do a study on the structure and function of the real live nomad brain, compared to someone who has sequestered themselves and is now an online hermit/nomad of sorts. I often wonder what brain structures, neural pathways and cognitive functions we are influencing and changing as a result of bringing more and more online/technology into our academic arena.
Sorry if I got a little off topic! :o)
Yes, Bryan, there are changes needed for every aspect of teaching and learning - changes for teachers, course content, mediation tools, and student response and ongoing work. The teaching and learning process today is much more complex than it ever was and requires a mindset of ongoing learning for both teacher and students. Good points...
Well, as the materials illustrated, there are so many ways to go about learning today. I for one am appreciative of all this "nomadic" capability and embrace it fully. I guess I was broken in when I was finishing my degrees and got used to it then. Things have improved so much also over the years and continue to do so. I think one of the challenges that really helped me to embrace this fully was when I was tasked with the development of an online course. It was a great learning experience and really made you think about the styles of learning, etc.
One of the biggest challenges I face (believe it or not) is getting some of the students I have to embrace all of this as I have. Many are not generation Y people and they are technology challenged. They come from the linear school and have never learned about multiple intelligences or other learning styles. They are very satisfied sitting there waiting to be spoon fed by the all mightly powerful Oz (the teacher). They await the wisdom and want to sit silently taking notes and regurgitating something that was fed to them like little birds after feeding time (or maybe that is the Mommy bird, you know what I mean).
I work them into it by explaining what I am doing and how these new student-led models work. Some are never convinced because of their old ways but most like the idea that they get to think for themselves and incorporate their lifes lessons into the class. I love being more of a facilitator and not so much of an expert. I would say that 80% or so of my students like it as well. Who does not want ownership of their work or their school or their life? Only lazy people that want life handed to them to begin with I would say (my opinion only). These are not the people that will succeed in the college classroom of today any how. So my parting message is "adapt and overcome or sleep with the fishes". :-) I hope that makes some sort of sense.
Hi Kavita,
Yes, and often because instructors do not make the necessary changes to their methods and delivery choices, technology remains sidelined and perceived as "busy" work to students rather than a tool that helps their learning process succeed.
It is important to recognize the difference between using technology as a crutch and using it as a tool. I enjoyed the emphasis placed on technology as a tool in this course. I have seen much of what you described and I’m afraid technology can easily fall into a cycle of dependence for students. The internet ushered in a possibility of endlessly expanding information, but also a narrowing of focus depending on the use. Students can easily fall into the trap technological ease and never venture past the first page of a Google search or the first Wikipedia article they pull up. It therefore must be the job of teachers to warn students of this danger and guide them to utilizing the full benefit of technology.
Indeed, Kavita. The technology provides mobile access and students have the benefit of engaging in learning communities that are not defined by space or conventional course confines. The challenge, of course, is for instructors to begin to understand the implications of this reality both on instructional design and course delivery.
Today's students are often referred to as nomadic learners because of the ubiquitous nature of technology. The technological framework for a student is available for them wherever they are and at any time. The term distinguishes itself from pervious types of students where learning traditionally occurred in several established areas. This restrictive model is no longer appropriate for today’s highly mobile student.
Yes, Tricia, and another very important reality is that information and, therefore, potential course material and content is already available to students outside the class. When instructors integrate this reality into their instructional design, nothing is then locked into the parameters of class time, but is truly accessible and available in many different formats and from various sources. This redefines passivity and activity in the learning process.
Today's generation of students are referred to as "nomadic" because of their access to information. It is truly no longer "acceptable" as an instructor to only provide learning material via paper....we must now conform to the technology driven student and provide them that same material in a variety of media, such as Internet, podcast, etc. We must realize that they were brought up using technology and that is how they learn the best.
Great comments, Alicia. Yes, I agree that there are enough nomadic characteristics of the younger generation of students to warrant the title.
Princeton.edu defines the nomad as a member of a people who have no permanent home but move about according to the seasons. While I understand the view of some of these posts, I agree with the label. The Nomadic Learner learns via various means of technology (internet, cell, etc.) all connected to the same base. Given these luxuries, many of them are so mobile and can learn from anywhere in the world. (no permanent home) They have the ability to access the instructed information any time, any where. For example, our school has a portal that can be accessed anytime anywhere via the internet. This source of information documents much of the items they need such as course content.
Indeed, Dianne, while we can observe the nomadic characteristics of students today we should also be aware, as instructors, of how to contextualize their learning within realistic and relevant applications of use.
They are referred to as nomadic learners because learning for them includes flexibility, mobility, and convenience while still being connected. They are to a great extent dependent on technology, wireless capability, etc. which can at times be detrimental. Not saying that technology has not made great gains in education but have we looked at the amplifications and amputations of technology lately?
Great points, Dawn, and what I think is amazing is how the expectations are there now from students who look for the direct connections and flexible delivery options made possible by the Internet in every course.
Today's younger learners have had the internet at their fingertips the majority of their lives and are very comfortable accessing the information that they need from not only the internet in different ways but they are also used to “working” at varied times thanks to the internet on cell phones as well.
My nieces who are now in high school have been being taught how to research on the internet since junior high. They are all in band and in sports (swimming & diving) and when they miss school for a meet or a concert they actually access their high school via their cells or the internet in order to obtain their homework assignments. This allows them to stay caught up while on the road for sporting events.
Generation Y, The Net-Generation, etc. whatever phrase we use are nomanic in their way due to their access to the net and through their teachers who are also integrating this mobile technology to keep them in touch with their classes.
For someone like myself who lives in a rural area and who travels a lot, online instruction and classes were exactly what I needed in order to be able to reach my educational goals. There are times when I look at the first online classes being held through newsgroups I think this was the beginning of creating this nomadic learning society that we have today.
Thank you,
Dawn
Yes, Tami, these are very true characteristics of today's learners. The challenge for the instructor, then, is to remember this when designing a course and delivering course content.
Today's learners access their learning material variety of different ways in a variety of different times at variety of different places. They may access their class via mobile device during a lunch break or from their work desktop computer during a work break. They may then log in using their home laptop during the evening from home. Therefore, they are nomanic in their way of moving a lot. On another hand, people tend to relocate and travel a lot these days as well and this further adds to the nomadic nature of learners.
Hi Thomas,
Like most language evolutions of meaning, this use is not a literal use but a rhetorical reference to similarities in movement/mobility only. That is, today's students are not "grounded" as individuals once were when it comes to connection and networking. Currently, instructors should be aware that connectivity is continuous and now wireless and mobile. That opens wide more opportunity than we've ever had before to guide students and support them through their learning journey.
