The Contemporary Learner 

The contemporary learners are highly stimulated by the environment around them. They have access to computers, iPads/tablets, TVs at their reach when they choose. This constant overstimulation results in Gen Zs constantly needing to be stimulated in their environment. They can no longer sit still and simply be board, they have a need to be always doing something. 

This is now where teachers come in. In the traditional classroom where teachers would stand at the front of the room, sometimes on a stage and never interacted with students will no longer work with our contemporary learners. Teaching with visual aids will help the students to stay more engaged in the lesson. 

Creativity in education is sometimes forgotten, this can be for a number of reasons. Creativity in everyday life is forgotten. Prior to the internet, children would have to come up with their own fun or something to do. This was done using their imagination. This is not done anymore as children now have everything at their fingertips. So the question is how can we bring creativity back into the classroom to help our students develop their creative side.

From my experiences at school, creativity wasn't overly explored. Though I can identify a difference between primary school and high school. Primary school was more creative with different activities, students working together. I remember in my later primary school years we even had an interactive whiteboard where the teacher would let us answer questions on the board with the special whiteboard pen. I guess when it comes to high school there is more of a need to get through the curriculum rather than develop ways to teach the curriculum creatively. 

If the curriculum stays linear and not progressive, we will see a lack of learning from our Gen Z learners. Our curriculum needs to cater for all contemporary learners and cater for their development. If our curriculum is not taught with a more creative approach we will see a lack of engagement from our students resulting in a higher disruption in the classroom and more 'bad' behaviour. 

As a distance university student, I can see the benefits of using ICTs to connect with other university students in my subjects. It allows distance students like myself to engage with other students in my course and develop a network in which we can ask each other for advice or help to further our skills and learning. 

I truly see a shift that needs to occur and continue to continue to engage our contemporary learners and further develop their skills and learning both in the classroom and out.