Homo Zappiens vs Technology (ICT in Learning Environment)

I encountered a new term known as 'Homo Zappiens'. A guy who is known as Wim Veen used the term “Homo Zappiens” to typify a new student generation. He suggested that this generation possesses certain living and learning behaviours that are fundamentally different from those of the previous generations.

So what is so special about this new student generation?

It seems like students nowadays are born with computers on hand. XBox, PSP, PlayStation 3, LAN Gaming, Maple Stories, Tote (Warcraft) are common topics that our students are talking about during their free time. SMS, MSN, chat rooms, cell phones are common communication tools that they used. Do you agree with me?

It is very clear that our students have changed over the years, yet the ways the lessons are taught by our educators have not really changed. Teachers are still doing the talking most of the time. There is no waiting time when questions are posted to students. Surprising only 1.6sec of waiting time is given for the student to answer before the teacher loses his/her patience.

We can see that MOE is encouraging schools to use more technology in teaching. Smart board, E-learning (Lead portal), visualiser, projector, lap-top and tablet PC are very common technological tools found in school nowadays. Undoubtingly, these are necessary to fullfill the needs under Physical context in the Learning Environment. However, other than Physical aspect, we also must not forget the Students and Social needs that make up a Learning Environment too.

Changing environment = Changing education

Here are some possible Learning Platforms for our students.

• Wikis
• Blogs
• Forums
• Games
• Ipods
• Podcasts

Please do consider for the benefit of our students.