BEHAVIOR OF STUDENTS: THEN AND NOW
VIRGINIA O. GUINTU
The behavioural landscape of students in the past generations versus today---in the era of technology and 21st century learning has drastically changed as approaches of new generation students towards education has transformed the qualities of learning.
Then, it was simply paper and pencil and the teacher with chalk and blackboard. Now, students are equipped with gadgets and keypads and the teacher with his or her powerpoint presentation.
These alterations in the learning process have significantly affected learners’behaviour in the classroom, as concepts blended learning rather than what learners are enjoying. Being familiar with technology and modern learning commodities, children now no longer differentiate between playing and learning unlike before when the past generations could learn and play at the same time. This new trait of education and learning in children facilitated the series of rather surprising traits following throughout their later lives.
As such, children, as they grow up, are able to seize the higher ideas of education. Now, learning only within the classroom is longer relevant to learners as they are open to education from anywhere, anytime, unlike then when learners had to attend classes each day, a behaviour forged with discipline and perseverance. The digital and internet era, as well as web technology have assisted massively to materialize this aspect of modern society. Learning on a timely basis, keeping up with school timings and schedules are least followed by the millennial generation and the upcoming xennials as they have access to resources and course materials from anywhere at any time.
Learning now has become proactive in contrast to retroactive learning proffered by the earlier generations to follow only teachers and their teachings.
Notnetheless, the changing behavioral patterns of education have empowered learners. Sans tradition, the focus has shifted from educators, as it was centuries back, to learners as attention towards their development is highlighted. With shifts in behaviour and traits of learners versus the old school, education now is now directed towards holistic development of students, ensuring their intellectual as well as personal development.
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The author is Teacher I at Northville Elementary School