In the past, most students "agreed to be controlled" by the teacher, he says. Today, students are more likely to challenge a teacher's authority

For a particular student, it might be "worth it" to beat up Mary, despite the punishment that follows.

"What's in it for me?"

According to Blackmore, today's brains are shaped by various information streams -- sometimes referred to as memes -- constantly popping and sparking and competing for attention. This new generation of digital learners -- call them the MEdia Generation -- take in the world via the filter of computing devices: the cellular phones, handheld gaming devices, PDAs, and laptops they take everywhere, plus the computers, TVs, and game consoles at home

Educators must figure out how to compete with this frenetic memestorm coming at them from marketers and other students

As an ensemble the class can learn and discover together, all the while feeling part of something larger than themselves and experiencing the support of the group

By being part of this safe environment students are able to take risks, build on the strengths of others and grow in confidence, making decisions and taking actions on behalf of the group

This contrasts with the teacher centred class where the teacher has to monitor an motivate 20 –30 individuals continuously without a minute’s respite.

Drama puts the teacher in the role of supporter in the learning process and the students can take more responsibility for their own learning.  Ideally, the teacher will take a less dominant role in the language class and let the students explore the language activities.  In the student centered classroom, every student is a potential teacher for the group.

Students are encouraged to express their own ideas and contribute to the whole