Derelo, Michaela Micole M.

2018-02417
November 20, 2018
Prof. Oyzon
BSE – Bio
EDFD 116 THU

The Truth Untold: Learning as a 21st Century Learner

(A reflection paper)

"Who is it that makes us into study machines? They classify us as either number one or falling
behind. The adults easily build borders between us."
-from "N.O" of BTS

Perhaps, in a world inclined to constant changes, learning would be an utterly important

process to perform in order to survive. It is through this said process that humans tend to have the
capacity and ability to further understand what revolves around them. Just as what Jean Piaget
asserts, from the moment human beings are born, they instinctively process their surroundings,
thus, taking their first step towards the essence of learning. And this goes on throughout their
existence. But bound to the constantly changing nature of the world, this process of acquisition of
knowledge consequently change as well; the techniques applicable, styles existing, and factors of
which greatly advantages or disadvantages it.

21st Century is the era of which the current generation of learners belong to; bombarded by
technological advancements, everything and anything at fast-paced, and principles conforming to
the chaotic contemporary society. Adapting to the present-time trends, we’re posed by the question,
“How does a 21st Century student learn best?”

Taking a look at the lyrics presented above by one of the famous Korean boyband, BTS,
students nowadays seem to face a difficult situation. Learning, or schooling, in a different light,
becomes a platform serving a purpose contrary to its nature. Studying becomes a burden due to
the expectations placed upon them that are far beyond the essence of learning in the first place;
studying becomes a tool to classify them into classes; dividing spaces; and imposing forever lasting
stresses. Thus, this might justify why meaningful learning exist only among some of the 21st
century students and not totally on everyone.

Going back to the question given above, in a general sense, students learn best in a stress
free atmosphere and environment; free from high and heavy expectations which tend to demotivate
them from learning and exerting efforts. So on the other hand, how do students get motivated to
learn? An example would be thru reinforcements, whether positive or negative. Also, learners
these days get invested on topics or ideas that definitely pique their interest. Thus, once partnered
together with their practical understanding of that idea’s essence, would make way for the
learnings to be successfully stored in their long term memories. These knowledge kept in one’s
long term memory, with continuous articulation and/or recycling, result to meaningful learning.

Digging deeper to the process of meaningful learning, I came to the conclusion that the
following serve as factors to how effective 21st century students learn: memory, affect, motivation,
reinforcement. Partially introduced earlier, memory plays a significant role in efficient learning.
Without it, one’s prior knowledge – schema – won’t exist. Consequently, incoming and new
knowledge can’t be processed by a learner. In line with this, this is where the unique and non-
conventional way of teaching-learning comes into the picture of meaningful learning. As
mentioned above, Z generation prefer to invest on topics that easily catch their attention. Once the
information which touched a learner’s short term memory seemed interesting, it will automatically
make its way to the long term one (Primacy Recency Effect).

Information which appeal to students’ affect also lead for them to learn best. Defining
affect in a neuropsychology aspect, it is one’s automatic behavior and thoughts towards a certain
context. From this, it could be inferred that emotion/s are to be paired with cognition in way that
a learner’s attitude and affect on an information may speed up or slowdown the acquisition of
knowledge from it.

In addition, motivation also contribute to learning since motivated students tend to be more
active and attentive; they find intrinsic value in whatever he’s studying about. A form of motivation
would be reinforcements – an action that increases or strengthens a behavior done. Skinner's
principles supports this factor; he focused on the relationship between a behavior and its
consequences. Which is why learners nowadays get motivated the best when reinforcements are
acted upon them. This highlights the studying and/or learning they're doing.

In order to fully understand where meaningful learning comes in the 21st century, we also
need to know elements a learning process need to have with respect to the era’s trends, such as
collaboration, constructivism, connectionism, and creativity. The multimedia existing these days
somewhat will continuously give way to the establishment of knowledge through collaborative
learning in ways collaborative conversations. Dialectical thinking tend to take place in this type of
community activity.

Another important element would be the aspect of constructing knowledge from the 21st
century learner’s inherent curiosity on an idea. Through constructivism, learning could be
measured through the students’ application, and vice versa.

Since Z generation is surrounded by digital age products, connectivism would also be

perfect for an efficient learning. With the abundant source of information there is in the current
era, a learner must have the ability to organize, connect, and make sense of the existing
complexities there is.

Lastly, probably the most significant element would be creativity. This makes way for
learners to create something new, and original. It enables them to pave their own path - one that
would help them as a learner - towards their distinct dynamics of acquisition of knowledge.

All of the mentioned ideal elements of an effective learning in the contemporary time
constitute a central idea – customization. Customizing respects the learner; it caters learners'
uniqueness, capabilities, limitations, and curiosity.

In a nutshell, since learners are living in the 21st century, the generation's learners, teaching
techniques, and learning styles are rapidly changing, and it seems as if there is no only one ideal
technique or style to follow for an efficient learning. Just like how trends exist and die due to
various emerging advancements, trends tend to apply even in the process of acquisition of
knowledge. We, humans, can't take a good grip on it - expecting it not to morph into something
new and unfamiliar - for it is as fluid as time.
 21st century learners, also known as Generation Z, being bound between the traditional and
non-conventional media convergent approach of learning-teaching, having the best of both worlds;
pin pointing the exact way for them to best learn would be hard. Perhaps, the closest to it would
be a customized learning style contrast to the linear and controlled classrooms and school setups
before.