The Innovative Educator

I found this blog entry on the web and I think it will be helpful to teachers as well as anyone else interested in virtual learning.   Like it or not, we are now living in a "connected" world.  The challenge that faces school districts is to use the power of connection to enhance student learning. 

It is claimed that anyone born before 1982 are considered "technology immigrants".  In other words, their formative years were spent without the widespread use of the social technology that we have now.  People born after 1982 are considered "technology natives and their formative years were spent during the explosion of technological advancement that has defined the last 30 years.  The "natives" (especially those who came of age in the last 10 years) are used to using the internet as a source for information and connection to other people.  They are used to instantaneous communication with their friends and family.  I think back to when I was an undergraduate and I had to wait until after 9:00PM to call home because that was when the long distance rates dropped to an acceptable level.  We were fortunate to have phones in our dorm rooms, but that was something that was just put it before I started.  Imagine a freshman in college today waiting to connect with friends and family until after 9:00PM when the long distance rates dropped.  Better yet, think of the parents of freshman who ask their children to give a simple text message once a day just to be re-assured that everything is okay.  How would those parents feel about waiting until 9:00PM once a week to check in on their kids?  It is all very interesting.  I hope this article helps you contextualize the possibilities of social media to help enhance student instruction.


The Innovative Educator: Want to connect your students this school year? He...: .