For the first time in years we had nearly the whole day to talk with our departmental colleagues about our challenges, our successes, and what we're doing in our classrooms.
Just as kids used to hang out in parks, bowling alleys, and malls, they are now hanging out online. Instead of talking, they're often texting or interacting via their social-networking profiles. While these activities can be time-wasting, they can also be productive, helping kids define their identities, reinforce offline social relationships and express themselves in a variety of ways.
Still, talking to strangers is different from handing over a set
of your house keys. We’re learning how to draw the line between
those extremes, and it’s a line that each of us will draw in
different ways. That we get to make these decisions for ourselves
is a step forward; the valley is a much richer and more connected
place than the old divide between privacy and celebrity worship
was. But it is going to take some time to learn how to live
there.
There's an angry divisive tension in the air that threatens to make modern politics impossible. Elizabeth Lesser explores the two sides of human nature within us (call them "the mystic" and "the warrior”) that can be harnessed to elevate the way we treat each other.
Our challenge is to find ways to teach our children how to navigate the rapidly moving digital present, consciously and reflectively.
the "one life" perspective says the opposite, that it is precisely our job as educators to help students live one, integrated life, by inviting them to not only use their technology at school, but also talk about it within the greater context of community and society.
The tie that binds us to our ancestors is that both ancient and digital-age humans crave community
I'm talking about using the iPad as a control surface to actually control your computer desktop, write on your computer desktop, and project all of that in front of the classroom just as a regular interactive whiteboard does.
Likewise, it is up to learning managers to determine when to ask students and teachers to turn their devices off; that is, to unplug so we can talk, think, and collaborate face to face. On/Off. It's balanced. It's healthy.
The fact that their technology is so invisible to them is their Achilles Heel. Because they don't see it, they don't think to question it.