Infographics, like the one below, illustrate the differences between baby boomers and today's learners. From an educational perspective, what strikes me the most is the section on "Effective Engagement". Today's learners must be immersed into an educational system that is not bound by past practice. Our learners are different - as is the world in which they live. They require an educational approach that fosters passion and creativity, promotes work ethic or willingness to persevere when challenges manifest themselves and the ability to think critically to solve problems.
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| From Edudemic |
As educators, we need to create the environment where learners develop a "growth mindset" as referenced in this article by Carol Dweck (http://www.principals.org/Content.aspx?topic=61219). Generation Z learners with a growth mindset will be the ones who have the skills necessary to successfully navigate their future (Note that the average number of jobs for Generation Z is 17!) . The challenge continues to be changing the mindsets of educators, as referenced by Dweck in the article, as well as their pedagogy to ensure that we not only have a "growth mindset" perspective, but set up opportunities where students can realize their growth. In my opinion, this change will continue to be fragmented until the curriculum and reporting procedures require teachers to change their focus....but this will require a great deal of political will.
