Information Processing for the (R) generations

Educational approaches developed throughout the years; from the Grammar Translation method over to the collaborative model. Each approach and method has considered carefully the generations of each period. What about the current generation? We do borrow the concept of Prensky’s (2001) digital natives, but the current generations are too complicated and unique to use such term at large. The generation who were born with digital gadgets and comfortable of using multiple platforms, plus a generation who were surrounded to play video games are the students that educators need to deal with. Thus, they are the (R)esearch generation, who can clearly find knowledge and information, but also capable to individualize the information into their own needs.

Having this in mind, it is important to observe how students learn the knowledge for a distinct subject. Although nowadays students are video game friendly, they apply this type of skill set into their everyday life. In this presentation, a pilot study with Star Wars series will be shown with two college ESL students. The data of what type of information and the process of how they approached the target language. Series of data will include from Star Wars original trilogy to theme related commercials and graphic novels.