The New Learning Generation
Children and adolescents in modern societies are growing up in a world where digital technologies are ubiquitous. The widespread use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and online services by youngsters in their everyday life for leisure, entertainment and social interaction is impacting their learning needs, requirements and expectations. They need to learn skills and competences for self-development, participation in society and for future jobs. They are also increasingly using ICT for any learning purpose, often outside the classroom. This gives rise to a "new learning generation" (also labelled New Millennium Learners by OECD/CERI) and to new ways of learning, including informal modes, which are strongly enabled albeit not determined by the possibilities offered by ICT.