Teaching about idealism provides new ways to teach Generation C (C stands for Content)  to think.  We know that they are technology magnets, but how can we use the technology to get young people to have passion for the world in which they connect.  Some great ideas were presented by Janice Mercetes at Get ideas.org, in her September 16 blog post as she mentions six essential tools for connecting this generation to learning.  She mentions project based learning and challenge based learning but takes the idea one step further she discusses passion based learning.  Using her definition, passion-based learning is about getting students to go beyond the classroom walls.

Her six tools include: personal responsibility, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, re-learning strategies, and communication.  The concept of creativity in learning includes the ideas of innovation, entrepreneurship and idealism as powerful tools to challenge this generation.  How can teachers include the concept of idealism into lessons in order to help students think?  We must find lessons that help students see how they connect to the world stage.  Whether you teach English, Social Studies or elective coursework, finding ways to help students learn about how they can influence the future world we live in will get students motivated.  There are numerous idealism lesson plans at the Lesson Corner including creating the ideal city, ideal government or even the ideal kitchen.  Humanity quest offers artistic and idealistic art activities for many different classes as well.  Facing History has a lesson about American Idealism for Social Studies and beyond.     Some of the lesson sounded really engaging, and that will foster some great learning opportunities with your students.

Keeping this generation thinking requires some different tools from today’s educators.  At Altering Education we are always looking for new ideas to keep students engaged.  Thinking about teaching the concept of  idealism is and important challenge as we look forward to the elections and beyond.  Encourage Generation C to think about idealism by encouraging students to think about where our world is headed in the future.

Sources: Get Ideas, Lesson Corner, Humanity Quest, Facing History