Youth and Technology

This week I went to a training on iPads in education.The keynote was Sue Meyer, a former educator/media specialist who currently  works for apple.

Sue discussed at length how the world is changing. And that change is inevitable, yet it takes a longer in schools. The pace of change is now happening at an even greater rate because of the rate of mobility. Experts have predicted that by 2013 mobile devices will outnumber desktop devices, more people will carry mobile devices than personal devices. She reiterated many of the same statistics that Cody Hanson shared with us.

The workshop excited me to see the opportunities that teachers are currently doing with students--and the opportunities that are coming.

Technology is a wonderful opportunity for personalized learning.

I was also reminded of David's presentation on gaming and learning. The presenters talked about how GAMIFICATION can really help learners. (achievement badges, leader boards, little no consequence for failure, incremental levels leading to mastery). The idea of little chance for failure really struck home with me. Sue talked about not risking the failure by raising your hand--and having the chance to succeed by trying again and again. A game I am excited to try with my students is POCKET LAW FIRM--which teaches students about the Bill of Rights through a game.

Millennial Learners are impatient and expect immediacy, digital natives, social and collaborative learners, experiential and exploratory Learners. They are motivated differently.

A recent survey from (eSchool news) on 'What do students want from school':--September 2011 reported:

5- more technology

4- teachers as mentors

3-learning to be interesting

2-to have choice

1-to do real and relevant work

This shows that students view technology and teaching as important.
I can't wait to see how my teachers and I can collaborate on these things.