Abstract:

Digital natives are the students of new generation. Their way of perception of new information as well as their way of education differs greatly from the ones of the previous generation students. Teachers in higher educational institutions see that the younger students come to the University the more inclinations they have towards information technologies. Nowadays students get new information from the Internet moreover they communicate and exchange their views there. These changes in the way of behavior of the students and what is more important the changes in skills of processing and dealing with information require new approaches to education.

Our research is aimed to find out the most appropriate ways to educate digital natives. In the course of our study we researched the peculiarities of digital natives’ behavior and the way of thinking. We also conducted a poll indicating the most convenient forms of education for the students of new generation. For example, research results show that more than 40% of the students feel the information overload, while almost 90% of the respondents check their Internet page several times during a class; almost 50% of student in higher educational institutions devote to reading one hour a week or less. While reading used to be one of the primary forms of gathering information nowadays this priority has changed. According to the research for 53% of the respondents the easiest way to percept information is via discussion while reading text is preferable for only 28% and listening to the lecture – for less than 10%. So we see that it’s time to change the approach to education and educational technologies. We believe that the most appropriate way to educate digital natives is via practical classes. The way of thinking of digital natives (which is also called “clip thinking”) requires teachers to demonstrate how knowledge they deliver at class is applicable in real life and profession. Moreover, the competency-based education which forms the basis of Bologna approach is also built upon practical education.

Research methods:
In the course of the research we conducted sociological poll among 329 students of the Ural Federal University and Ural State Law University (Yekaterinburg, Russia). We also applied historical method which helped to analyse the heritage of the pedagogical science and find out the origin of the practical approach in education. Comparative method helped to reveal similarities and differences between practical and competency-based educational approaches.

Research results:
1. Peculiarities of the digital natives way of thinking require teachers to use information technologies at classes. Modern students have to process and analyse big loads of information themselves so tasks offered to them should be complex and creative.
2. The most effective way to educate digital natives is via practical classes that help them to apply the knowledge to either real life or professional experience. Only knowledge applied to practice can be digested by the new generation.
3. Practical education is the basis for the competency-based approach. These two approaches in education have common roots and grounds so moving to the competency-based Bologna system teachers of higher educational institutions should not neglect educational technologies of practical approach.

Keywords:

Digital natives, practical education, higher education, competecy-based education, educational technologies.