Why you cannot teach 21st-century children with 19th-century methods – Educationist

Mrs Christy Nosa-Ihaza, an educationist, has said there is need to exploit technology in teaching the 21st century generation, otherwise known as Generation Alpha, (Gen Alpha) and described them as fast trackers.

Nosa-Ihaza, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, said that the measures have become necessary as the Gen Alpha’s learn fast, know devices, how to use them and their applications.

Supreme reports that Gen Alpha is a term used to describe the generation of people born or who will be born between 2010 and 2025.

According to her, this technology will go a long way to provide students with easy to access information, accelerate learning and fun learning opportunities to practice what they learn.

“You can’t use a 19th century scheme to teach 21st century students because we are in a knowledge age and knowledge is very key where technology is everywhere and in everything.

“Sometimes, it’s amazing that children in the 21st century knows how to use devices, it’s because they are inquisitive by nature, fond of asking questions and seek ways of getting answers to things that are not clear or logical to them.

“Therefore, it is fundamental to bring the modern technology devices to bear, in order to bridge the general learning gap between the 19th century method and the 21st century system in schools,” she added.

The educationist, also known as Super Mama, however, noted that some parents are not knowledgeable enough on the information, use, applicable of modern technology as it were.

Nosa-Ihaza said that children have the devices that parents have afforded, adding, “we don’t know how to use but children know how to use it and use it against us.

“And because they are using it against us, we cannot say the devices are bad, to me, technology is good, acceptable and have come to stay but there has to be roles, routines to it.”

She noted that a child has to be prepared before given a phone, a laptop with an internet, informing the child on the side effect to guide him/her on how to use these devices.

According to her, this will go a long way to help the parents, teachers and school managements to fit-in to the Gen Alpha (21st century) and attain the purpose in bridging the gap.