I just came back from a conference in Beijing where I have attended many intriguing workshops, symposia and presentations on the subject of music education.
One of the most interesting presentations was by Professor John Kratus (Faculty of Music Education, Michigan State University) during the a symposium titled "Virtual Learning in Music Education." I forgot the title of his powerpoint but he pointed out how the new generation's learning mode is totally different from ours.
Here are some of the interesting facts and figures Dr. Kratus shared:
The Percentage of the World's Population who are Internet Users:
(Percentage of growth in the use of Internet 2000-2010)
- Africa: 11% (Growth: 2357%)
- Asia: 12% (Growth: 622%)
- Europe: 58% (Growth: 352%)
- Middle East: 30% (Growth: 1825%)
- North America: 77% (Growth: 146%)
- Latin America / Caribbean: 35% (Growth: 1035%)
- Oceana / Australia: 61% (Growth: 479%)
- World: 29% (Growth: 444%)
Major Internet activities of adults (age not specified):
- do online searches
- look for a map or driving direction
- look for information on a hobby or interest
- check the weather and get news
- instant messaging
- visit social networking websites (e.g. Facebook)
- do research for school
- listen to music
- share files
- 64% of online teens in the US have created online contents (e.g. blogs, websites) [2006]
- over half of the teens and young adults in Hungary, Denmark, Scotland, Norway, Germany and Poland have created online contents. [2007]
- Millions of Japanese and about half of Korean Internet users have created blogs
- In the US, 48% of children under 6 years old have used the Internet [2007]
- The fastest growing age group for using the Internet is 2 to 5 years old [2005]
As educators and parents of a time when Internet is inseparable in our lives, have we given enough thoughts on the role of it in our children's education? According to Dr. Kratus, adults nowadays are only digital immigrants for we were born in the pre-digital age when electronic technology was rarely involved in our formal learning; we immigrated to this whole new world of technology some time later in our lives. On the other hand, children and teenagers of today, especially those who were born after the 1990's, are digital natives. They are natives because they haven't lived in a world where digital devices (e.g. CD players, mobile phones, computers, Internet, etc) are absent; it is natural for them to rely on these devices for communication or learning.
Therefore, some of the grounds of old education theory are shaken. Children do not necessary learn sequentially anymore with the help of the Internet. Although concepts like scaffolding still plays a big role in formal school (as the system was designed by digital immigrants or digital foreigners), it is inevitable for us to re-examine the goals and pedagogies we are practicing.
Are we, as teachers, using the appropriate digital devices most effectively so as to optimize teaching and learning outcomes in a classroom full of digital natives?
Are we, as parents and digitial immigrants, standing on a firm ground and have a solid-enough knowledge on the role Internet plays in facilitating learning and the growth of our children?
The presentation of Dr. Kratus made me ponder deeply upon my way of teaching; I hope this sharing will trigger some thoughts and discussion among some of you, too!
Here's a video telling you the education needs of the digital natives:
