Net Gen

Grown Up Digital by Don Tapscott has been on this generation since he wrote Growing-up Digital  in 1997.  (way) Back then most people were using a primitive Internet based on the programming language-HTML. It was about viewing content. The young ones though were using the Web to communicate with friends-which became the core of Web2.0.
That was then, now they have grown.  Tapscott surveyed more than 11,000 young people and reveals the results, such as, how the brain of Net Generation processes information (something I am very interested in). Also he reveals seven characteristics the Generation  as well as seven guidelines for educators to tap the Net Gen potential.
If you want to meet the future, this is the read!

ISTE NETS

ISTE stands for the International Society for Technology in Education and NETS stands for National Educational Technology Standards .  Who knew?  

ISTE is the premier membership association for educators and education leaders engaged in improving learning and teaching by advancing the effective use of technology in PK-12 and higher education.
Their mission is to advance excellence in learning and teaching through innovative and effective uses of technology.
They have developed the NETS due to the call for technology to be included in all subject areas , Most states are requiring teachers to adapt to standard driven education. Leaders in business and education agreed to request that the Department of Education include technology into standards-based curriculum and establish accountability models for the inclusion of 21st century skills to assure the students receive the necessary skills to become global citizens for the future.
The NETS have served as a road map since 1998 for improved learning and teaching.

The standards for teachers are organized into 5 categories as of 2008.

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

There are also Standards and Performance indicators for students, all of which can be found on http://www.iste.org/
ISTE also has a lesson database you can search by grade level, subject, and/or key words.

So, what are your reactions  to the ISTE National Educational Technology Standards. Do you think they are beneficial to teachers or students?

Social Media in the Classroom

     Online Universities  published  a Blog on May 4, 2010 listing "100 Inspiring Ways to Use Social Media In the Classroom."  Besides being a fun way to connect with friends, social media has evolved into a powerful tool for education.
     The ideas are categorized for all levels.  They include K-12;College;ways students can use SM;ways instructors can use SM;communication;class projects;promoting community and collaboration;and SM tools for students. Check it out.

http://www.onlineuniversities.com/blog/2010/05/100-inspiring-ways-to-use-social-media-in-the-classroom/

I loved the first inspiring idea-Make literature real- where students create a Facebook page for a character from literature you are studying. Maybe an idea for Capstone in the College section like #13, Research social media.  I could have used #20 Practice a language when I was taking Greek lessons.
#47 Help shy students who may feel uncomfortable approaching their teacher is an interesting idea. Under Class Projects  students can, #51 Share book reviews, #57 Create Stories, or conduct  Interviews #60.
The Promoting Community and Collaboration section has 10 ideas and #71  Inclusion is an  inspiring way to help students who have to be out of the classroom due to special needs or illness  be connected to the class remotely. (beats sending work home) . Don't miss the Social Media Tools for Students #'s 72-85.
  Last but not least there is a whole section of Preparing for Employment.  They say it pays to advertise so use Facebook ads  to get the attention of potential employers.#100.

Technological Utopia

     Over ten years ago I was finishing up my education and seeking employment. During one  interview I was asked "If you could do just one thing to educate children, what would you do?" [ There were no constraints, kind of like I had a fairy godmother on my shoulder with a magic wand.].  I told the interviewer I would give each child a laptop computer and travel the world with them .  Fast forward to 2010.  A NY Times article on April 18,2010 discussed  organizations  moving in that direction.
     One Laptop Per Child (O.L.P.C.) is a nonprofit group with a big ambition, equip 2 billion children in developing countries with his/her own computer. Microsoft is a little more practical, developing a product called Multipoint. It ads multiple cursors to one computer each controlled by a separate mouse. Intel has Classmate PC.
      Kentaro Toyama, formerly with Microsoft, now doing research at Berkley, calls it "technological utopianism".  Of course the road is bumpy with problems, such as infrastructure, limited electricity, and cost.
Matt Keller , V.P. for global advocacy at the O.L.P.C. Foundation is a beacon of light and has some moving stories to tell about villages who have received laptops. He is lobbying for funding from U.S. arguing literacy skills and access to information are prerequisites for economic and political growth.
     I can't help but wonder if a version of my vision will come to pass in time for me to see it.