It is definitely true that students are rather interested in modern media than in old fashioned books. Students focus on different things than teachers or adults want them to.
I think that this is a very provocative statement as books are still fascinating and any time I go to Dussmann or Hugendubel, there are so many people who buy books of various types (cook books, sci-fic., novels, etc.).
However, nowadays, most peoples’ focus is on superficial things. Clothing, brands, image and celebrities are more interesting things to discuss and worth thinking about than dealing with more difficult or profound topics. A clear shift of interest can be identified.
However, we as future teachers have to be aware of new technical developments in order to address our students in a modern and more motivating manner.
Interestingly enough, even we avail ourselves of new media as we now blog thoughts via the World Wide Web..... ;)
I agree with all of you, that we have to get used to changes in life style, to new trends we might not fully understand and interests we will not always share with our students. However, as Kay already said, I do not see these changes, including the developing media, as being totally negative either. It can even be a chance for us as teachers! Melanie said that students are "rather interested in modern media than in old-fashioned books". In my opinion these two aspects are not mutually exclusive at all – thinking of “ebooks” for instance. I truly believe students read and will always read. In future they will just read increasingly differently, maybe on their mobile phones, on the internet, in ebooks, etc. Or they will listen to "audio books", but does that make it less valuable? I also think that the literature read in schools is not always (if at all) in accordance with the students' tastes. Thousands of students "devoured" the Twilight-books or Harry Potter a couple of years ago. So I do not think one can say students do not read anymore at all - they simply read different things and often in a different medium, which is completely ok if you ask me.
I finally succeeded in logging in. In fact, this turned out to be a rather intricate affair as I got kicked out several times before it eventually worked...do not ask me why....I don't know.
4 comments:
It is definitely true that students are rather interested in modern media than in old fashioned books. Students focus on different things than teachers or adults want them to.
I think that this is a very provocative statement as books are still fascinating and any time I go to Dussmann or Hugendubel, there are so many people who buy books of various types (cook books, sci-fic., novels, etc.).
However, nowadays, most peoples’ focus is on superficial things. Clothing, brands, image and celebrities are more interesting things to discuss and worth thinking about than dealing with more difficult or profound topics. A clear shift of interest can be identified.
However, we as future teachers have to be aware of new technical developments in order to address our students in a modern and more motivating manner.
Interestingly enough, even we avail ourselves of new media as we now blog thoughts via the World Wide Web..... ;)
Melanie Wieser
Master of Education
HU Berlin
Melanie, I reposted your message to the 2nd entry. alice
Vivien:
I agree with all of you, that we have to get used to changes in life style, to new trends we might not fully understand and interests we will not always share with our students.
However, as Kay already said, I do not see these changes, including the developing media, as being totally negative either. It can even be a chance for us as teachers!
Melanie said that students are "rather interested in modern media than in old-fashioned books". In my opinion these two aspects are not mutually exclusive at all – thinking of “ebooks” for instance. I truly believe students read and will always read. In future they will just read increasingly differently, maybe on their mobile phones, on the internet, in ebooks, etc. Or they will listen to "audio books", but does that make it less valuable? I also think that the literature read in schools is not always (if at all) in accordance with the students' tastes. Thousands of students "devoured" the Twilight-books or Harry Potter a couple of years ago. So I do not think one can say students do not read anymore at all - they simply read different things and often in a different medium, which is completely ok if you ask me.
Yaaay!
I finally succeeded in logging in.
In fact, this turned out to be a rather intricate affair as I got kicked out several times before it eventually worked...do not ask me why....I don't know.
So "Hello" to everyone! :)
Best wishes,
Charlotte
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