Dear Readers, would you help with something? I’d like to collect some informal data. All you need to do is read below, take the survey, and maybe leave a comment. Thanks in advance! (I #amwriting)
Sometimes when I conduct PD, we start with a discussion of the characteristics of the students we teach. I introduce this topic by discussing the differences between Millennials and Post-Millennials, also known as Generation Z.
Of course, they are also called other names: Homeland Generation, iGeneration, Gen Tech, Neo-Digital Natives, etc. (Wikipedia provides a good starting place for a bit of research with an impressive list of citations.)
What I think is even more interesting than the names marketers and researching are calling these young people are some of the descriptors used to define them: cynical, private, entrepreneurial, multi-tasking, hyper aware, technology reliant; and the terms in which they self-identify: loyal, compassionate, thoughtful, open-minded, responsible, resourceful, determined.
What I really wonder though — based on our experiences with our students day in and day out — plus what we know about their tech savvy selves — what do our students really need from us as their educators?
Please take this poll and share it widely. I’d like to know what other educators, (actually all adults really) think.
Also, if you have the time, I’d love to know you thoughts on the best ways to give our students what they need within our ELA classrooms. Please leave your thinking in the comments. (Maybe you’ll make it into this elusive book I’m trying to write.)
Thank you!
Amy
Three Teachers Talk 
They need choice and relevance to prepare them for the world they will work in, not our world as it used to be.
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For me, students need everything listed on the survey. All are important. But I believe most of all we all need to remember the power of face to face interactions and dialogue in the teaching and learning process.
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The best way to build better readers and writers is through the workshop model. Choice, time at school to read and write, and lots of role models. Craft studies of quality texts – reading like writers – allows students to be critical thinkers. And asking and answering questions as they read lets the students determine their internal changes (Beers and Probst). How have I changed after reading this? I think the reading and writing creates the critical thinkers we are looking for.
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While I don’t have a lot of experience or support in doing it. The more I learn and try aspects of project based learning, the more I believe it can develop those critical thinking and real world skills we want for our students.
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