The Next-Generation Learner

Special Guest

Diana Oblinger
Vice President
EDUCAUSE

Diana Oblinger is the vice president for EDUCAUSE's teaching and learning initiatives and directs the National Learning Infrastructure Initiative (NLII) project. Previously Oblinger served as vice president for information resources and CIO for the 16-campus University of North Carolina system and as senior fellow for the EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research. She was the executive director of higher education for Microsoft Corporation and led IBM's Institute for Academic Technology. Oblinger was on the faculty at Michigan State University and the University of Missouri–Columbia, where she also she served as an academic dean. She is known for her leadership in teaching and learning with technology and distributed learning. A frequent keynote speaker, Oblinger has authored and edited numerous books and publications, including the award-winning What Business Wants from Higher Education. She has received numerous awards, including Young Alumnus of the Year from her alma mater, Iowa State University.

Summary

Your host, Steve Worona, will be joined by Diana Oblinger, and the topic will be "The Next Generation Learner."

For the past decade, we have talked about how information technology has changed how we work, live, and learn. At the same time, learners have changed. The learning styles, attitudes, and approaches of today's high school students differ from those of 18–22-year-old college students as well adult learners. An essential component of creating effective learning environments is understanding learners. The purpose of this presentation is to describe what we know about the next-generation learner and consider the implications for higher education.

Related EDUCAUSE Resources

• Learning
• Learning Environments
• Learning Strategies
• The Information-Age Mindset: Changes in Students and Implications for Higher Education, EDUCAUSE Review, 2000
• Archives of past EDUCAUSE Live! seminars

Other Resources

• The Internet Goes to College, Pew Internet Project Report
• Bibliography