UNDERSTANDING THE ‘MODERN’ STUDENTS IN THE PHILIPPINE SETTING

The author is Teacher

LOURDES L. GAZA

In the fast-changing phase of the world, technology plays a pivotal role in shaping the lifestyle, norms and conditions, and even the ways of learning of man. Even the educational system of world has changed rapidly with the advents of the new waves of teaching the ‘modern’ learners. Gone were the days of constant and perennial traditional ways of imparting the lessons. Thus, this creates an impact on the learning opportunities for students to cope. This is to merely understand the ‘modern’students in the Philippine setting.

In the Philippines, the ‘modern’students are the Millennials which are characterized as young people who are educated, tech-savvy, well-travelled, and cosmopolitan with their choices in life. It may seem true that not all are affluent in their status in life. But most of the learners in the country are already adapting western lifestyle and ways. These may create great effects in their learning process. It may have both positive and negative sides even in the aspect of technology-laden ways of learning.

There is a widespread belief among teachers that students’constant use of digital technology is hampering their attention spans and ability to persevere in the face of challenging tasks. It might be true that students are can have easy access to different learning portals for their school works. But this also affects their attention span to learning due to mobile games and social media.

Like most of the things, technology also has its fair share of pros and cons. It can be proved beneficial as well as extremely harmful. If a student uses internet for study or research purposes, it makes the job quite easy. While if the student uses it for continuous social media and other purposes, it can prove to be extremely distractive. If students use information they locate on the internet properly, technology will indeed remain a useful tool in study. While the internet provides us with both good and bad aspects, if students overuse the cut-and-paste technique, they will stop absorbing information, which in the long term, will affect their ability to obtain knowledge.

‘Modern’students in the Philippine and even around the world are now impatient yet feels unique about themselves. When students want something, they want it right away. This is fed by technology that got them used to an immediate response. They are always connected. They expect systems to adapt to their situation and look for a personalized service.

Understanding our ‘modern’learners require sincerity and patience. As teachers to these ‘millennial’students, we should always look into the brighter sides of their new waves of attitude and learning styles. These may help us understand better their ways of learning and find the best strategy and technique to cope with their modern means as well.

— oOo— I at Betis High School