UNDERSTANDING THE TECH-SAVVY STUDENTS IN A POST-PANDEMIC 21ST CENTURY CLASS

BRYAN F. GARCIA

Technology is a key factor in determining how people live, how society functions in terms of norms and conditions, and even how they learn. With the introduction of the modern ways of teaching the students who are exposed with technology, even the global educational system has undergone rapid transformation. The days of traditional methods of teaching classes are long gone. The learning chances for students to cope are so affected by this. This is how we view and eventually understand the “tech-savvy” students even during this post-pandemic period. Gen Z students are digital natives, meaning they have little or no memory of the world as it existed before smartphones. Previous generations lived through the computer and internet revolutions, while they’ve only known a world with high-tech opportunities. 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. Teachers often think that students' frequent use of digital technology is affecting their capacity to pay attention for long periods of time and persevere through difficult tasks. It may be accurate to say that students can easily use a variety of learning platforms for their academic work. But because of mobile gaming and social media, this also impacts their ability to pay attention when learning. Technology will continue to be a helpful study aid if students use the material they get online responsibly. The internet has both positive and negative features, but if students abuse the cut-and-paste method, they will cease taking in information, which will eventually affect their capacity to learn. Particularly during this time after the global pandemic, students in the Philippines and elsewhere who are identified as "tech-savvy" are currently impatient but feel special about themselves. Students demand things now when they want them. This is fueled by technology, which has conditioned them to expect a quick answer. They are linked at all times. People seek out a specialized service and anticipate that systems would adjust to their needs. It takes honesty and patience to understand our "tech-savvy" learners. We should always consider the positive aspects of these students' emerging attitudes and learning preferences when we work with them as "Gen Z" teachers. They could aid in improving our comprehension of how they study and in helping us identify the most effective methods for utilizing their modern applications and tools.

-oOoThe author is Teacher II- Guillermo D. Mendoza National High School