WEEK ONE REFLECTIONS: WHO IS THE CONTEMPORARY LEARNER?

How will the characteristics of our Gen Z learners depicted in the Meet GenZ video define their engagement in the traditional classroom snippet?

Student engagement would be completely absent if Gen Z learners were placed in a traditional classroom with Mr. Lorensax at the helm (perhaps this was another motive for Ferris to take the day off). Our modern Gen Z learners would immediately disengage from this type of instruction as it is meaningless, irrelevant and dull, almost certainly inciting restlessness and the escalation of behaviour issues. Side note: I feel extremely guilty referring to Mr. Lorensax as I just have; this film is one of my favourites, and his role albeit minor, a pivotal one! 

Referring to the ideas presented by Willis and Robinson, is this level of creativity in evidence in the schools you have attended, both as a student, and as a preservice teacher? Furthermore, is this level of creativity in evidence in your University units? As secondary pre-service teaching students, you will experience a variety of approaches to teaching, learning and course design in your discipline studies. Why were your previous studies presented in that particular way? How could they have been presented?

How good is Sir Ken?! I just love him! I digress…

Naturally there are sensational teachers willing to foster creativity in most schools, however from my personal experience this is rare. I only recall one teacher, and unsurprisingly she was a drama teacher, whom encouraged and promoted creativity amongst students. She herself was eclectic, eccentric, outspoken and unashamedly herself; as a shy teenager with very low self-esteem, her class was a space I could truly get creative.

Working in learning support in a high school, I witnessed several fantastic educators teaching creatively themselves, in turn stimulating inspiration in their students, and they were WONDERFUL to watch! It is these teachers who truly believe in Gen Z learners as the leaders of our digital future, and quality modern education itself. There were teachers in this school who’d been teaching for 40+ years, but some only for 1+ years, and in these classes I witnessed the most disconnection of students, and honestly, it was terribly disheartening to watch. The older teachers appeared exhausted and well-ready for retirement, and if I’m being completely honest, the younger teachers often declared the old “I wanted to be a teacher because I like the subject and how good are the holidays?!” attitude.

I also believe schools’ socioeconomic statuses can greatly affect the presence/level/frequency of creative encouragement of students. This school was part of a low socioeconomic area, where technology was very minimal and reserved for the completion of assessment tasks, and Digital Technology and Manual Arts classes; many students didn’t have a pencil or notebook, nor a computer.

As I have worked through my course a little differently than the norm, I am excited that I can get creative in the core units. Admittedly, the teaching styles and units themselves in my discipline minors are more traditional than expected.

 

What do you think the implications are of a curriculum that is linear, progressive, aimed at a single learning outcome for the development of both individuals and the society we live in?

To me, progressive equates to a dynamic and revolutionary idea, which does not correspond with a lineal curriculum. A lineal curriculum and the teaching style that corresponds with the focus on a single learning outcome, is outdated, inflexible, and lacks a creative approach vital for an inclusive, contemporary classroom, and in turn, modern society.

 

How can ICTs help you in the development of a professional learning network? How are you feeling about this?

The effective use of ICTs will provide access to lesson-planning and educational content resources, support the organisation of information and assist with administrative responsibilities, whilst allowing a professional learning network with peers and professional developers to grow across multiple channels. This presents me the opportunity to grow both professionally and personally, as I know I have a lot to learn in this area, which can only enhance and improve my teaching, right?! (Insert excited emoji here). (Someone from Gen Z will need to teach me how to do that on a standard Windows PC). (Now insert wink emoji here).

Thanks for stopping by!

- Bec