ETEC 562

KMC
Article Review #2
How do teachers determine which technology to use in the classroom? That is one of the questions that
Ronald A. Berk provides answers for in his article How do you Leverage the Latest Technologies,
including Web2.0 Tools, in your classroom?
This article provides different strategies for integrating technology in the classroom for 21st century
learners. The strategies are based on the generation of learners that have been named the Net
Generation (Net Geners), born between 1982 to 2003. This generation has never known a world
without technology. However that does not mean that this group knows how to use these tools for
learning effectively. It is important that teachers understand how this group uses technology and how
they think before applying technology in the classroom.
This generation of students is no better or inferior to other generations, their world is just more
connected than previous. To be able to understand how to connect with technology we need to
understand their learning characteristics to be able to better leverage the use of technology for learning.
Below are 10 specific characteristics that have specific implications for the use of technology in the
classroom by these learners (Beck 2010) .
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TECHNOLOGY SAVVY
RELIES ON SEARCH ENGINE FOR EVERYTHING
INTERESTED IN MULTIMEDIA
CREATES INTERNET CONTENT
LEARNS BY INDUCTIVE DISCOVRY
MULTITASK ON EVERYTHING
COMMUNICATES VISUALLY
EMOTIONALY OPEN
PREFERS TEAMWORK AND COLLABORATION
PREFERS TYPING TO HANDWRITING

The preceding characteristics are typical of most Net Geners according to the surveys. It is essential that
teachers understand these characteristics to connect with the students. The author provides a great
Memory Jogger of technology teaching strategies that a teacher can use to connect with the
characteristics of the learners.
Below is a brief summary of the some of the strategies that were suggested to work with the
characteristics of these learners.

Incorporate technology meaningfully into lectures, in-class and out-of-class assignments,

activities, and demonstrations.

Provide assignments that draw on students search engine skills, but give guidance and structure
on how to maximize the value of the search
Use music, videos, video games, other games, ect. That is student favorites in lectures and
assignments
Provide students to create their own blogs, micro blogs, and wikis
Plan games, simulations, improvisations and role-playing in a virtual environment
Consider students to multitask in the learning environment
Include graphics, images, and visual representations in your presentations
Use hybrid or blended methods to encourage interaction and opinion sharing
Allow students to pool existing knowledge to share online
Encourage students to take notes using PCs/Macs or handheld devices

It is important to recognize that the classroom has changed and that it is gearing more towards a
learner-centered environment, and the teacher is becoming more of the guide on the side. Once the
teacher has surveyed the characteristics of their students then the teacher will be able to use the
strategies above to an advantage in the classroom setting.
I really enjoyed this article as it provided me with a reminder of how the 21st century learners are
different from other generations. Though I was born on the cusp of this generation technology was very
limited in the classroom. As a teacher of 13 years now I have seen a dramatic difference in the way
students learn compared to now and then. I so find that I must use these strategies in the classroom to
provide my students with the best possible learning environment.

Berk, R. A. (2010). How do you leverage the latest technologies, including Web 2.0 tools, in your
classroom? International Journal of Technology in Teaching and Learning, 6(1), 1-13.