Technological Institute of the Philippines Quezon City

ED 009 Educational Technology 2

A 2-page Reaction paper
Name: Joven, Christine Diane M.

Professor: Dr. Maria Christina Aragon

Program & Section: ED_ENGL / ED31FA1

What is this research article all about? Why do we need to read this? What benefits
would I gain in reading this? What is the relevance of this research article to my course? How
does it relate to me as an education student?
These were few of the questions that popped into my head when I first read the title,
Understanding Todays Learners. Basically, even before reading its content, I deduced that
it was all going to be about knowing and understanding the learners of today or, more
specifically, todays generation. Their characteristics, learning styles, differences, working mind
sets etc.
Anyways, after reading the whole content of the research article, I found out that it tells
us about the generation of today or the so called Web 2.0 Learners or 2.0 Learners who
they are, what sets them apart from the other generation, how they learn and should learn, how
they interact and learn with and from others and how do stakeholders and people in the
workforce cope up with it and set different strategies and approaches that caters to these
generation.
Jane Hart, the author of the research article, divided it into three parts; Part 1: The
Research, Part 2: The Practice and Part 3: Learning and development professionals as
Learners 2.0. Now, let me get into details for each parts and share to you what facts and
insights I have learned and deduced from the research article.
PART 1: In summary, this part tells us all about the characteristics of todays learners
and how they best learn in two main ways; (1) Age and generational attitudinal differences; and
(2) by their use of technology, particularly, Web 2.0 social media tools.
In actuality, it was interesting to know these new information because I have found out
that I belong in the Generation Z, which indicates how really young I am. Anyways, it was not
the focus of the research article for it was the Generation Y that was given more emphasis.
Moreover, I have learned that it doesnt necessarily mean that if you are a digital native, by

all means, you are technology omniscient, and more so, if you are a digital immigrant you
are not tech-savvy or an expert in using technology anymore. In fact, I am a self-declared
digital namigrant (a term I made up by mixing both terms) for I live in the time period that
technology already exists and is a trend yet not really well-versed in its complexities.
PART 2: In this part, it reports on interviews with eLearning Guild members from both
education and workplace learning, on how they perceive learners of today, and how they are
addressing their needs.
Informative yet complicated. Two words I have said after I finished reading this part. It
was informative for it gave new facts that can be of help to me, as an individual, a learner and a
future educator. It made me realized that with the dawn of Web 2.0 social media tools, it paved
way for many opportunities, sources and links for todays learners. It made them more
independent and manipulative in doing multi-tasking skills, whether it be in an individualized
instruction or collaborative learning experience. And I can really relate to that.
On the contrary, it was complicated, in a sense that, it made more difficulties for the
traditional learners to keep up with them (2.0 learners) and to accept the use of technology
in their daily lives especially in a workplace setting. Hence, it was really helpful to learn some
tips from experts interviewed for the research article on how to get them (traditional learners) be
involved.
PART 3: The last part looks at the importance for learning and development
professionals to experience being a Learner 2.0 in order to advise on appropriate new
learning approaches.
This part was really enlightening. Basically, the best idea I have learned was
Experience is the best teacher. I believe nothing can defeat nor surpassed that. It was even
mentioned in the part 2 of the research article that generation of today are mostly experiential
learners. Hence, learning and development professionals, practitioners, stakeholders and
even teachers should also do the same thing. Research and experience first-hand what their
learners experience in using the technology or, more specifically, the Web 2.0 social media
tools, and use it daily, whether it be for personal or professional purposes.
Like what I have recently learned in my Field Study courses, one of the things I must do
as an aspiring future educator, according to the National Competency-Based Teacher

Standards (NCBTS), was to keep myself abreast with the latest developments, trends,
breakthroughs and technologies in education.
What I gained from the research article is of worthwhile and of use to any future
undertakings I may be involved.