K-W-L Chart

Innovative Training and Teaching Best Practices

K

What I know

I know that there is a difference in the learning styles and brain development of the digital age learner.  I know that the differences influence the optimal learning patterns of these individuals.  I know that there are concerns that the quick, surface approach that digital learners approach their lives may be detrimental to their ability to focus and create at a deep sustainable level.

W

What I want to

know

I want to learn more about the brain development and learning behaviors of digital natives.  I want to gain a greater understanding of their interface with social media such as twitter and facebook and research the implications that these cloud resources have for education.

L

What I learned

In the opening paragraphs of his paper on digital age learners  John Seely Brown author of growing up digital says “Learning is a remarkably social process. In truth, it

occurs not as a response to teaching, but rather as a result

of a social framework that fosters learning. To succeed in our

struggle to build technology and new media to support learning,

we must move far beyond the traditional view of teaching

as delivery of information. Although information is a critical

part of learning, it’s only one among many forces at work. It’s

profoundly misleading and ineffective to separate information,

theories, and principles from the activities and situations

within which they are used. Knowledge is inextricably situated

in the physical and social context of its acquisition and use.”

This statement alone lends credence to the philosophies and strategies for accelerative learning.  The environmentally rich, multiple learning style strategies of accelerative learning may be the best way to reach digital age learners.

• The world is changing faster than ever and our skill sets have a shorter life
• Understanding play is critical to understanding learning
• The world is getting more connected that ever before – can that be a resource?
• In this connected world, mentorship takes on new importance and meaning
• Challenges we face are multi-faceted requiring systems thinking & socio-technical sensibilities
• Skills are important but so are mind sets and dispositions
• Innovation is more important than ever – but turns on our ability to cultivate imagination
• A new culture of learning needs to leverage social & technical infrastructures in new ways

Play is the basis for cultivating imagination and innovation

Thomas, Douglas and John Seely Brown, A New Culture of Learning