Digiteen

Her presentation, titled “Better Safe than Sorry,” outlines the social network environment that she said may be foreign to most parents but very common to students.It covers Facebook, Twitter, Skype, Friendster, Bebo, Yahoo, Google Plus, Classmates, Flicker, Instagram, You Tube and My Space, all social networking programs, Aguilera said.Aguilera said with so many people using social networking and so many young people posting personal information, its important that teens learn the basics of operating safely on the Web.

1. Power down at mealtimes. This means no television, computers or texting. This is the time to really connect with each other without the technological distractions that can be so overwhelming throughout the day. 2. No computers in kids' bedrooms until at least high school. Please trust me on this one. The risks just aren't worth it. Keep computers in public areas of your house, and regularly monitor their usage. 3. Limit or eliminate television viewing on school nights. You'll be amazed at the impact this will have on your family. Kids play games, become creative and interact with us and their siblings. 4. No social media networks until at least high school, and supervise their use. Many kids just don't have the impulse control to adequately control this technology, and the effects on them and others can be substantial. 5. Supervise cell phone use, including texting. You need to be guided by the maturity of your child, but irresponsible behavior should result in increased supervision. 6. Learn about technology. Don't be afraid of texting, video-conferencing, iPads, or Facebook. They are fun and great ways to stay connected with your kids.

Video time provides no educational benefits for children younger than 2 and leaves less room for activities that do, such as interacting with other people and playing, the group said.

“We’v

e got to create a relevant educational situation for our kids, so when they go off to college and the working world, it won’t be a foreign world to them,” said Robin Hines, superintendent of Houston County schools. “We’re preparing our students for jobs that haven’t even been created yet.”During the trip, they saw fo

Many American classrooms are almost indistinguishable from those that students' grandparents attended.  Twenty-something students still sit in desks facing the front of the classroom, with textbooks, listening to a generalist teacher.

A new perspective is needed.  Americans need to consider the fundamental question:  How can we most effectively teach kids the skills they need? 

Traditional schools may be best for some students, while others will thrive in moire high-tech learning centers.