Technology, the Millenials, and Learning - Looking Beyond 2010 Lesley Blicker Director of IMS Learning and Next Generation Technology Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

A Profile of Today’s Learners - the Millenials 1.The generation born between 1982 and Also known as “Echo boomers,” the Net Generation, Digital Natives 3.Very comfortable with technological learning tools including online learning and courseware, presentation software, Web page design, spreadsheet software 4.Are education-oriented Source: “Identifying the Generation Gap in Higher Education: Where do Differences Really Lie?” Paula Garcia and Jingjing Qin. Innovate Journal of Online Education, April/May

A Profile of the Millenials – cont’d 5.Are more assertive information seekers 6.Have no tolerance for delays 7.The Internet is better than TV 8.Doing is more important than knowing 9.Multi-tasking is a way of life 10.Typing is preferred to handwriting 11.Staying connected is essential Source: “Teaching and Learning with the Net Generation,” Barnes, Marateo, and Ferris. Innovate Journal of Online Education, April/May Also “Boomers, Gen-Xers, and Millenials: Understanding the New Students,” D. Oblinger, Educause July/August 2003.

Generational Views TV Generation PC Generation Net Generation WebWhat is it?It’s a toolIt’s oxygen CommunityPersonalExtended personal Virtual PerspectiveLocalMulti-nationalGlobal LoyaltyCorporationSelfSoul AuthorityHierarchyUnimpressedSelf as expert Source: Savage, T. (2003) from Oblinger disc-paper.htmlhttp://www-jime.open.ac.uk/2004/8/oblinger disc-paper.html

Are Their Attention Spans Really Short? Yes…for the old ways of learning But NOT for games or for anything else that interests them They crave interactivity—an immediate response to their each and every action Traditional education provides very little of this compared to the rest of their world Adapted from Marc Prensky, 2001.

Forest Park High School Digital Video Media Segment – The Millenials at School Digital Natives Source: Marc Prensky, “Every time I go to school I have to power down,” complains a high-school student.

Media Exposure Spent 10,000 hours on video games Read 200,000 s Watched 20,000 hours TV Spent 10,000 hours on the cell phone Spent under 5,000 hours reading By age 21, the average person will have: – Marc Prensky, s Video Games Reading Television Cell Phone

What Technologies are The Millenials Using In 2007?

Portable Devices, IMs, and Game Controllers

Learning Technologies: Course Management Systems

Add-On Learning Tools

Add-On Learning Tools - cont’d

Digital connectedness is prized above all else Social Technologies

Immersive Learning Environments (ILEs): 3D Virtual Worlds (Games/Sims)

Why ILEs? Why Simulations? MNSCU SECOND LIFE VIDEO (YOUTUBE) -

Personal Learning Landscape Source: “The Future CMS,” by Scott Leslie. Edutools, November,

1.Fusion of mobile, IM and Web 2.Maturation of Open Source options (e.g., Moodle,.Lrn,Sakai) 3.3D engine product ubiquity (Second Life, Croquet, Active Worlds). Groundswell of ILEs and virtual campuses occurring 4.Digital textbooks (e-books) 5.Mashups 6.Continuation of social networks moving to the 3D virtual world Future Learning Technology Trends

7.Open standards approach to tool interoperability and integration (future IMSs could have 100s of add-ons) 8.Content-sharing beyond the bounds of one organization 9.Cont’d blurring between content creator and consumer 10. Rapid expansion of Web 2.0 tools 11.Technologies allowing users to build, tinker, learn, and share Future Learning Technology Trends

1.Integration of learning technologies into strategic plans and institutional priorities, similar to current integration of facility planning, admin processes, library and student services 2. Getting a handle on what to focus on 3.Investing in technologically competent faculty 4.Figuring out how/whether/when to support entrepreneurial efforts Strategic Technological Challenges

For copies or more information on the Millenials and Next Generation Learning Technologies, please contact: Lesley Blicker Director of IMS Learning and Next Generation Technology Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Work: Cell: